5:20
Remember Moses said to his people: “O my people! Call in remembrance the favour of Allahunto you, when He produced prophets among you, made you kings, and gave you what He had not given to any other among the peoples.
Commentators explain that in this passage Moses reminds the Children of Israel of the many blessings granted to them by God. In addition to Moses and his brother Aaron, the reference includes several prophets associated with the Israelite tradition, such as Joseph, Isaac, Jacob, Lot, and Abraham. The Israelites were also favored through divine guidance and revelation, including the communication given to Moses on Mount Ṭūr (Sinai). These examples were intended to remind them of the special guidance they had received and to encourage gratitude for these blessings (Maʿāriful Qurʾān).
Some translations of the verse render the phrase as “He made you kings,” which has led some critics to question the historical accuracy of the statement, noting that there were no Israelite kings at that time. However, commentators clarify that the Arabic term mulūk can also carry the broader meaning of possessing authority or power. In this context, the word refers collectively to the people rather than to literal monarchs. The interpretation suggests that after being freed from bondage, the Israelites were granted independence and the ability to make decisions for themselves—something they lacked while living under oppression. Thus, the verse emphasizes their transition from servitude to a condition of freedom and dignity (Maʿāriful Qurʾān).
This understanding also resonates with passages in the Hebrew Bible that describe the covenant between God and the Israelites, in which they are portrayed as a people specially favored and entrusted with divine guidance, provided that they remain faithful to the covenant (Exodus 19:5).
References:
Emerick, Yahiya. The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an in Today’s English (p. 829). Unknown. Kindle Edition.