Words can be synonymous, but still, have different meaning. Synonyms are not all words with exact same meaning in all places. And in time sometimes words loose their original meaning. But we see in study of Quran, the word astafa is used in 12 verses, 13 times, and it has a special meaning.
If Bani-Israel was chosen, and they had people who disobeyed God and were cursed by God, then why did Quran say:
Peace be upon the servants of God that he has chosen (astafa)...
To you bani-Israel were chosen and not simply selected, but Quran is saying peace is upon all such servants, but then Quran is also saying many of Bani-Israel were cursed for disobeying God and his Messengers.
If Bani-Israel was chosen, and they had people who disobeyed God and were cursed by God, then why did Quran say:
Peace be upon the servants of God that he has chosen (astafa)...
To you bani-Israel were chosen and not simply selected, but Quran is saying peace is upon all such servants, but then Quran is also saying many of Bani-Israel were cursed for disobeying God and his Messengers.