﴿ فَعَصَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَأَخَذْنَٰهُ أَخْذًۭا وَبِيلًۭا ﴾

“and Pharaoh rebelled against the apostle, whereupon We took him to task with a crushing grip.”

(But Pharaoh rebelled against the messenger) i.e. Moses, and did not accept his call, (whereupon We seized him with no gentle grip) therefore We punished him with a severe punishment, i.e. by drowning.