←Prev   Ayah al-Imran (The Family of Imran, The House of Imran) 3:187   Next→ 

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Muhammad Asad   
AND LO, God accepted a solemn pledge from those who were granted earlier revelation [when He bade them]: "Make it known unto mankind, and do not conceal it!" But they cast this [pledge] behind their backs, and bartered it away for a trifling gain: and how evil was their bargain
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Remember, O Prophet,˺ when Allah took the covenant of those who were given the Scripture to make it known to people and not hide it, yet they cast it behind their backs and traded it for a fleeting gain. What a miserable profit!
Safi Kaskas   
God made a covenant with those who were given the Book, to clearly show it to humanity and not hide it, but they turned their backs on the covenant and bartered it for a small price. What an evil bargain they made.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَإِذۡ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِیثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِینَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَیِّنُنَّهُۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكۡتُمُونَهُۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاۤءَ ظُهُورِهِمۡ وَٱشۡتَرَوۡا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنࣰا قَلِیلࣰاۖ فَبِئۡسَ مَا یَشۡتَرُونَ ۝١٨٧
Transliteration (2021)   
wa-idh akhadha l-lahu mīthāqa alladhīna ūtū l-kitāba latubayyinunnahu lilnnāsi walā taktumūnahu fanabadhūhu warāa ẓuhūrihim wa-ish'taraw bihi thamanan qalīlan fabi'sa mā yashtarūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And when took Allah a Covenant (from) those who were given the Book, "You certainly make it clear to the mankind and (do) not conceal it. Then they threw it behind their backs and they exchanged [with] it (for) a price little. And wretched (is) what they purchase.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
AND LO, God accepted a solemn pledge from those who were granted earlier revelation [when He bade them]: "Make it known unto mankind, and do not conceal it!" But they cast this [pledge] behind their backs, and bartered it away for a trifling gain: and how evil was their bargain
M. M. Pickthall   
And (remember) when Allah laid a charge on those who had received the Scripture (He said): Ye are to expound it to mankind and not to hide it. But they flung it behind their backs and bought thereby a little gain. Verily evil is that which they have gained thereby
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
And remember Allah took a covenant from the People of the Book, to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it; but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And vile was the bargain they made
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Remember, O Prophet,˺ when Allah took the covenant of those who were given the Scripture to make it known to people and not hide it, yet they cast it behind their backs and traded it for a fleeting gain. What a miserable profit!
Safi Kaskas   
God made a covenant with those who were given the Book, to clearly show it to humanity and not hide it, but they turned their backs on the covenant and bartered it for a small price. What an evil bargain they made.
Wahiduddin Khan   
God made a covenant with those who were given the Book to make it known to people and not conceal it. But they cast it behind their backs and bartered it for a paltry price: what an evil bargain they made
Shakir   
And when Allah made a covenant with those who were given the Book: You shall certainly make it known to men and you shall not hide it; but they cast it behind their backs and took a small price for it; so evil is that which they buy
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And when God took a solemn promise from those who were given the Book: You will make it manifest to humanity and keep it not back. Yet they repudiated it behind their backs and exchange it for a little price. And miserable will be what they buy!
T.B.Irving   
When God made an agreement with those who were given the Book [saying]: "You shall explain it to mankind and not conceal it," they tossed it away behind their backs and sold it for a paltry price. How wretched was what they bought [instead]!
Abdul Hye   
(And remember) when Allah took a Covenant from those who were given the Scripture to explain it to people and not hide it. But they threw it away behind their backs, and bought with it a little gain. And indeed worst is what they buy!
The Study Quran   
[Remember] when God made the covenant with those who were given the Book, “You shall make it clear to the people, and not conceal it.” Then they cast it behind their backs and sold it for a paltry price. Evil indeed is their selling
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
God took a covenant from those given the Scripture: “You must make it known to people and not conceal it.” Yet they threw it away behind their backs, selling it for a trivial price. Evil is what they’ve purchased!
Talal Itani (2012)   
God received a pledge from those who were given the Scripture: 'You shall proclaim it to the people, and not conceal it.' But they disregarded it behind their backs, and exchanged it for a small price. What a miserable exchange they made
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And (remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given Al-Kitab that: ‘you must make it evident to mankind and do not hide it’; then they threw it away behind their backs and purchased thereby a meagre sum. Then evil (it is) which they purchase
M. Farook Malik   
And remember Allah took a Covenant from the People of the Book, to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it; but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And vile was the bargain they made!
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And as Allah took Compact with the ones to whom the Book was brought: "Indeed you shall definitely make it evident to mankind and not keep it back." Yet, they flung it off beyond their backs and traded it for a little price. Miserable then is that which they traded
Muhammad Sarwar   
When God made a covenant with the People of the Book saying, "Tell the people about it (Muhammad's prophesy) without hiding any part, therefrom, they threw it behind their backs and sold it for a very small price. What a miserable bargain
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
When Allah took a pledge from those who were given the Book: .You shall make it known to people, and you shall not conceal it,. they threw it away behind their backs, and acquired a small price for it. So, evil is what they acquire
Shabbir Ahmed   
Allah took a Covenant from those who received the Scripture, "You shall convey the Message to people and never conceal it." But they flung it behind their backs, and traded it away for a little gain. What a miserable bargain
Dr. Munir Munshey   
And when Allah accepted a pledge from those who were given the scriptures, (He said), "You must definitely (expound the book and) let it be known fully to mankind; you must not hide it." But they tossed this (instruction) behind their backs. They traded it away for a paltry price. Evil is what they bargained
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And (remember) Allah took holy Promise from the People of the Book, to make it known and clear to Mankind, and not to hide it; But they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And false was the bargain that they made (by it)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And God took the covenant of those who were given the Scripture: "You will make it clear to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it behind their backs and purchased with it a cheap price. Miserable indeed is what they have purchased
Abdel Haleem   
God took a pledge from those who were given the Scripture- ‘Make it known to people; do not conceal it’- but they tossed the pledge over their shoulders, they bartered it for a small price: what a bad bargain they made
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And recall what time Allah took a bond from those who were vouchsafed the Book: ye shall surely expound it to the people and ye shall hide it not; whereafter they cast it behind their backs, and bartered it for a small price. Vile is that wherewith they have bartered
Ahmed Ali   
And remember when God took a promise from the people of the Book to make its (truth) known to mankind, and not keep back any part of it, they set aside (the pledge), and sold it away for a little gain but how wretched the bargain that they made
Aisha Bewley   
Allah made a covenant with those given the Book: ´You must make it clear to people and not conceal it.´ But they toss it in disdain behind their backs and sell it for a paltry price. What an evil sale they make!
Ali Ünal   
(Remember) when God took a covenant from those who were given the Book: "You shall make clear to the people (the whole truth of all that is in) the Book (including mention of the Last, promised Prophet), and not conceal it." But they paid no heed to it, flinging it behind their backs, and sold it for a trifling price (such as worldly advantage and position, status and renown). How evil a bargain they made
Ali Quli Qara'i   
When Allah made a covenant with those who were given the Book: ‘You shall explain it for the people, and you shall not conceal it,’ they cast it behind their backs and sold it for a paltry gain. How evil is what they buy
Hamid S. Aziz   
When Allah took the covenant from those who have received the Scripture, (and said), "You shall of a surety manifest it unto men, and not hide it", they cast it behind their backs, and bought therewith a little gain, but evil is what they buy t
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And (remember) when God took a commitment from those who were given the book, that you should make it known to people and you should not hide it. But they threw it behind their backs and traded it for a small price. What a miserable trade they made.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
And remember God took a covenant from the people of the Book, to make it known and clear to humanity, and not to hide it. But they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gains, and terrible was the bargain they made
Musharraf Hussain   
Remember, Allah made a contract with those given the Book: “Proclaim it to the people and do not hide it.” So, they threw it behind themand sold it for a small sum of money. How evil was their bargaining!
Maududi   
And recall when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Book: ´You shall explain it to men and not hide it. Then they cast the Book behind their backs, and sold it away for a trivial gain. Evil indeed is their bargain
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And God took the covenant of those who were given the Book: "You will make it clear to the people and not conceal it." But they placed it behind their backs and purchased with it a cheap price. Miserable indeed is what they have purchased.
Mohammad Shafi   
And although Allah took a pledge from those who were given the Book that they would make it public and not hide it, they threw it behind their backs and traded it for a paltry gain. And evil was the trade.

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And remember when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Book that, 'you shall necessarily make it known to the people and congeal it not, but they threw it behind their backs, and took a mean price in Exchange of it, then how an evil Purchasing it is!
Rashad Khalifa   
GOD took a covenant from those who received the scripture: "You shall proclaim it to the people, and never conceal it." But they disregarded it behind their backs, and traded it away for a cheap price. What a miserable trade.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
When Allah took a covenant with those to whom the Book was given, (saying): 'You shall make it clear to the people, and not conceal it. 'But they threw it behind their backs and they bought with it a little price. Evil was what they bought
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Book: You shall explain it to men and shall not hide it. But they cast it behind their backs and took a small price for it. So evil is that which they buy
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And when God took/received those who were given The Book's promise/covenant, to clarify/show/explain it (E) to the people, and do not hide/conceal it, so they discarded/rejected it behind/beyond their backs and bought/volunteered with it a small price, so how bad (is) what they buy/volunteer
Bijan Moeinian   
Recall that God took a covenant from the followers of the Scripture that they should not hide the truth and that they should spread it [Deuteronomy (4:2), (6:7-9). Unfortunately they broke their promise [up to the point that years after Moses they did not know that there was such book known as Torah (see II Kings, 22:8-13)] and traded their faith for a hand full of money. What a loss their deal was
Faridul Haque   
And remember when Allah took a covenant from the People given the Book(s) that, “You shall definitely preach it to the people and not hide it”; so they flung it behind their backs and gained an abject price for it; so what a wretched bargain it is
Sher Ali   
And remember when ALLAH took a covenant from those who were given the Book, saying, `You shall expound it to the people and not hide it.' But they threw it away behind their backs, and bartered it for a paltry price. Evil is that which they purchased
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And (remember) when Allah took a firm promise from those who were given the Book: ‘You shall communicate it clearly and plainly to the people and shall not hide (whatever is described in it),’ they cast this promise behind their backs and sold it for a paltry price. This is an extremely evil transaction on their part
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Recall the time when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture that, `You must explain (the teachings of) this (Scripture) to the people and not conceal it.' But they threw it away behind their backs, and accepted a paltry price for it. How evil is that which they have chosen
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
(And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad SAW and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed worst is that which they bought

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
And when God took compact with those who had been given the Book: 'You shall make it clear unto the people, and not conceal it.' But they rejected it behind their backs and sold it for a small price -- how evil was that their selling
George Sale   
And when God accepted the covenant of those to whom the book of the law was given, saying, ye shall surely publish it unto mankind, ye shall not hide it: Yet they threw it behind their backs, and sold it for a small price; but woful is the price for which they have sold it
Edward Henry Palmer   
When God took the compact from those who have had the Book brought them that 'Ye shall of a surety manifest it unto men, and not hide it,' they cast it behind their backs, and bought therewith a little price,- but evil is what they buy
John Medows Rodwell   
Moreover, when God entered into a convenant with those to whom the Scriptures had been given, and said, "Ye shall surely make it known to mankind and not hide it," they cast it behind their backs, and sold it for a sorry price! But vile is that for which they have sold it
N J Dawood (2014)   
And when God made a covenant with those to whom the Book was given He said: ‘Proclaim it to the people and suppress it not.‘ But they cast the Book over their backs and sold it for a paltry price. Evil was their bargain

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And when Allah took solemn pledge of those who were given the scripture that surely you will make it clear for the people and you will not hide it. But they cast it behind their backs and they bought with it a little price. How woeful is that which they buy.
Munir Mezyed   
And (remember when) Allâh made a solemn covenant with those who had been given the Scripture to make it known to people, not to conceal it. But they hurl it forcefully behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price--what a dreadful deal!
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And when Allah took a promise from those given the book that you will explain it to the people and not hide it, then they threw it behind their backs and sold it for a small price, so bad is what they buy (with it).
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
[Remember that] Allah took a covenant from the people of the Book to make (the Word) obvious to humanity and not to hide it. They tossed it aside and exchanged it for a miserable gain. Vile was the bargain they made!
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And as Allah took a pledge from those who were brought the Scripture: “Most surely you shall make it evident to mankind and not conceal it.” But they tossed it behind their backs and purchased, in exchange for it, a small price, so how miserable is what they purchase!
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
When Allah (God) made a covenant with those who were given the Book (the Bible) [saying]: "You shall explain it to mankind and not conceal it," they tossed it away behind their backs [ignoring it completely] and sold (tossed) it for a paltry price (money). How wretched was what they bought [instead]!
Samy Mahdy   
And when Allah took a charter of those who were given the Book: “You shall demonstrate it to the people, and not mute it.” So they forsake it behind their backs, and purchase with it a little price. So, how wretched is what they were purchasing.
Sayyid Qutb   
God has made a covenant with those who were granted revelations (when He bade them): “Make it known to mankind and do not conceal it.” But they cast it behind their backs and bartered it away for a trifling price. Evil is that which they have taken in exchange for it.
Ahmed Hulusi   
And recall when Allah had taken a covenant from those to whom the knowledge of reality was given, “You must make it clear to the people and not hide it from them.” But they left their covenant behind and exchanged it for a small price. How wretched an exchange!
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And (remember) when Allah took a pledge from those who were given the Book (saying) : ' You shall certainly make it known to people and you shall not hide it '. But they cast it behind their backs and took a small price for it , then, how bad is what they purchase
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
For once did Allah make a covenant with Ahl AL-Kitab. They should make the Book genuinely known to everyone and not hide the least part of its text and its precepts. However they cast it behind their backs and exchanged the truth for the worthless vanity of the fleeting and ephemeral world. How evil and how ill indeed is the advantage they gained
Mir Aneesuddin   
And when Allah took a pledge from those who were given the book, "You shall make the (book) clear to mankind and you shall not hide it," they threw it behind their backs and purchased a small gain through it, so evil is that which they purchased.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
And remember God took a covenant from the People of the Book, to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it; but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And vile was the bargain they made
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And when Allah took a Covenant (from) those who were given the Book, "You certainly make it clear to the mankind and (do) not conceal it. Then they threw it behind their backs and they exchanged [with] it (for) a little price. And wretched (is) what they purchase
OLD Transliteration   
Wa-ith akhatha Allahu meethaqa allatheena ootoo alkitaba latubayyinunnahu lilnnasi wala taktumoonahu fanabathoohu waraa thuhoorihim waishtaraw bihi thamanan qaleelan fabi/sa ma yashtaroona