Surah 2:58-59
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I was rereading Surah 2 this weekend and when I read 258-59 I starting thinking.
Freeminds
258 And We said Enter this town, and eat from it as you wish bountifully. And enter the passageway by crouching, and say Our load is removed, so that your wrongdoings will be forgiven, and We will increase for the good doers.
259 But the wicked altered what was said to them to a different saying, thus We sent down upon the wicked an affliction from the heavens for what wickedness they were in.Yusuf Ali
58. And remember We said "Enter this town, and eat of the plenty therein as ye wish; but enter the gate with humility, in posture and in words, and We shall forgive you your faults and increase (the portion of) those who do good."- But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them; so We sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, for that they infringed (Our command) repeatedly.
Is it possible that this town was Canaan? I was always bothered that God would slaughter an entire city by the Hebrews hands, and was wondering if this statement about transgressing could be how they decided to not enter the city peacefully but in fact decided to take it by force.
Does anyone have any insight into these passages?