Surah Qaaf
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُم بَطْشًۭا فَنَقَّبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْبِلَٰدِ هَلْ مِن مَّحِيصٍ
“And how many a generation before them did We destroy who were greater than them in [striking] power and had explored throughout the lands. Is there any place of escape?”
Translation: Saheeh International
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Warning the Disbelievers of the imminent Torment; commanding the Prophet to pray and have Patience
Allah the Exalted asks, `how many We have destroyed before these denying disbelievers'
مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُم بَطْشاً
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
Warning the Disbelievers of the imminent Torment
In the concluding sentence of verse [ 36] نَقَّبُوا فِي الْبِلَادِ هَلْ مِن مَّحِيصٍ (and they searched out the cities: Was there any place to escape?), the verb نَقَّبُوا naqqabu is derived from the infinitive tanqib which literally means to make a hole, to perforate or pierce. Idiomatically, it connotes to go or go away through the distant land or country or journey or traverse. (al-Qamus).
What does this verse bring up for you today?