(But the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: This) i.e. Noah (is only a mortal) a human being (like you who would make himself superior to you) through the message and prophethood. (Had Allah willed) to send us a messenger, (He surely could have sent down angels) one of the angels. (We heard not of this) that which Noah is saying (in the case) in the time (of our fathers of old).