17اعلَموا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُحيِي الأَرضَ بَعدَ مَوتِها ۚ قَد بَيَّنّا لَكُمُ الآياتِ لَعَلَّكُم تَعقِلونَMuhammad Asad[But] know that God gives life to the earth after it has been lifeless!1 We have indeed made Our messages clear unto you, so that you might use your reason.According to most of the commentators - and, particularly, Zamakhshari, Razi and Ibn Kathir this is a parabolic allusion to the effect of a re-awakening of God-consciousness in hearts that had become deadened by self-satisfaction and false pride.