Taberî addresses multiple verses consecutively in this section. He explains the expression 'Sawâ's-sebîl' (the level/middle path) as the middle of the road, the correct and intended path; he defines misguidance as going without guidance. He then reports different narrations regarding the reason for revelation of the verse 'Do you ask your prophet for something?' (including the request of Rafi' b. Hurayma and Wahb b. Zayd, the Quraysh's desire to turn Safa into gold, the comparison with the atonements of the Children of Israel) and discusses the linguistic meaning of the particle 'em'.

فإنه يعني بالسواء: القصد والمنهج، وأصل السواء: الوسط؛ ذكر عن عيسى بن عمر النحوي أنه قال: «ما زلت أكتب حتى انقطع سوائي» ، يعني وسطي.

Zemahşerî reports certain narrations while describing how Musa arrived in Midian: according to one view, he set out barefoot, was nourished only by tree leaves, and his feet became wounded; according to another view, an angel came to him riding a horse with a spear in his hand and took him to Midian. He then provides the text of the verse and reports Musa's arrival at the water of Midian, his helping the two women, and the story involving Shu'ayb.

وقيل : خرج حافيا لا يعيش إلا بورق الشجر ، فما وصل حتى سقط خف قدمه . وقيل : جاءه ملك على فرس بيده عنزة ، فانطلق به إلى مدين

According to this exegete, the particle 'em' in the verse is munqatî'a (disconnected) and means 'bel' (rather); that is, it comes after a complete statement before the question. Furthermore, if the addressees in the verse referred to by 'from you' are those who believe, this is apparently clear, because a person performing such an action does not necessarily have to be a believer.

والمنقطعة لا تكون إلا بعد كلام تام ، لأنها بمعنى بل والألف ، كقول العرب : إنها الإبل أم شاء ، كأنه قال : بل هي شاء

In this text, Kurtubî reports that the expression 'Sawâ's-sebîl' in the verse is explained in the context of the Children of Israel's deviation from the right path, their request that Prophet Moses clearly show them God, and similarly the polytheists' demand that the Prophet bring God and angels. He also notes that the word 'Sawâ' means 'middle/center', and according to some, it carries the meaning of 'qasd/right direction'. As the reason for revelation, it is reported that Rafi' b. Huzeymah and Wahb b. Zayd requested from the Prophet that he bring a book from heaven and cause rivers to flow.

وقيل : السواء القصد عن الفراء أي ذهب عن قصد الطريق وسمته أي طريق طاعة الله عز وجل وعن بن عباس أيضا أن سبب نزول هذه الآية أن رافع بن خزيمة ووهب بن زيد قالا للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : أئتنا بكتاب من السماء نقرؤه وفجر لنا أنهارا نتبعك

According to Ibn Kesîr, the question in the verse is a reproaching question that rejects making demands to the Prophet similar to those made to Moses, and this address encompasses both believers and disbelievers. He states that the Jews/Quraysh's demanding miracles from the Prophet in the same obstinate, denying, and contentious manner as the Children of Israel demanded from Moses is being censured. He expresses that those who make such requests have gone astray from the right path and turned toward ignorance and deviation.

والمراد أن الله ذم من سأل الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم عن شيء على وجه التعنت والإقتراح كما سألت بنو إسرائيل موسى عليه السلام تعنتا وتكذيبا وعنادا

This verse censures the People of the Book or the polytheists making a miraculous demand to the Prophet similar to those made to Moses (such as bringing down a book from heaven). According to Beydâvî, the particle 'em' expresses either an interrogation regarding the fact that they should know that God is capable of all things, or their attempt to make such a demand; furthermore, there is also the possibility that this particle is mustaqill (munqatî'), in which case the purpose is to advise servants to refrain from trusting in God and offering Him suggestions/proposals. A person who replaces disbelief with belief has deviated from the straight path.

أم معادلة للهمزة في ألم تعلم أي: ألم تعلموا أنه مالك الأمور قادر على الأشياء كلها يأمر وينهى كما أراد، أم تعلمون وتقترحون بالسؤال كما اقترحت اليهود على موسى عليه السلام. أو منقطعة والمراد أن يوصيهم بالثقة به وترك الاقتراح عليه.