And when he informed that they had surprised him with the breach and repeated it, he caused his saying: "So We took vengeance on them". This means a vengeance that is not like that which we used to harm them with. Rather, it is a vengeance of destruction as a lesson for their reaching, after the uncovering of all doubts, to pure stubbornness. Then he explained it by saying: "So We drowned them" with what we have of greatness "in the sea". This means: in the sea that is sought for its benefits "because they". This means: because they "disbelieved in Our signs". This means: regarding what it has of greatness due to what is known of the correctness of its attribution to us. And He, glorified and exalted is He, indicated that they disbelieved without any doubt that presented itself to them, but rather out of stubbornness by His saying: "And they were". This means: by nature and disposition "unaware of it". This means: their state after it is like their state before it, as if it had not come to them at all. Thus, they deserved to be seized for the occurrence of knowledge that the signs would not benefit them.