70:40 - The "I", "We" and the "Lord

[truth]

Peace be upon you all,

I was examining this verse 7040 recently and the issue of whose words the Quran is actually in occurred once more. You may find it interesting also.

70.40
YUSUFALI Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West that We can certainly-
PICKTHAL But nay! I swear by the Lord of the rising-places and the setting-places of the planets that We verily are Able
SHAKIR But nay! I swear by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests that We are certainly able

70.41
YUSUFALI Substitute for them better (men) than they; And We are not to be defeated (in Our Plan).
PICKTHAL To replace them by (others) better than them. And we are not to be outrun.
SHAKIR To bring instead (others) better than them, and We shall not be overcome.

My thinking is that it is Gabriel (I) swearing by God (the Lord of all points in the East and West) that We (the heavenly consortium - ie. God and His angels) can do the things in 7041.

There have been other threads discussing this issue and Anwar on peopleprogod has an article about it that does not discuss this particular verse. You can see it at http//www.peopleprogod.org/whoisspeaking.html .

In any case I hope people can either verify what I have indicated or correct it if they see it as being wrong.

Peace,