فَعَصىٰ فِرعَونُ الرَّسولَ فَأَخَذناهُ أَخذًا وَبيلًا

But Pharaoh disobeyed the apostle; so We seized him with a terrible seizing.

EXEGESIS

The active participle noun wabīl is derived from w-b-l, meaning severe, vehement, and heavy rain or downpour,^{‎[1]Amthal, 19/141.} as well as something that is crushing, calamitous, and disastrous.^{‎[2]Arabic-English Dictionary of Qur’anic Usage, p. 1009.} This word is thus applied to anything that is severe, vehement, and heavy or extreme, in particular punishments. 

EXPOSITION

The intent of this verse is that the strong army of Pharaoh did not and could not avert the punishment of God, which came down upon them due to their infidelity. Neither their wealth nor their extensive kingdom could thwart the punishment, and ultimately they were drowned in the choppy waves of the river Nile which they used to glory in.

[1] Amthal, 19/141.
[2] Arabic-English Dictionary of Qur’anic Usage, p. 1009.