Verse 42:23 and how to interpret it, disciplines of interpreting Quran.

[Gwaithmir]

Verse 2:248 emphasizes that wisdom and revealed knowledge  in which lied the tranquility of the hearts were all inherited in the family of Moses/Aaron till it reached Talut (Saul).  The Quran also emphasizes Saul too was a chosen one, a Prophet Messenger, who was superior in knowledge. But the confusion was about kingship, so Samuel instead of praising himself took the time to make clear who would be his successor. In the verses that follow Dawood who killed Jalut (Goliath) was emphasized to be given the authority (kingdom/kingship (mulk)) as well and we know he was revealed the Psalms.

In the Torah, Talut (Saul) is seen as one who deviates but the Quran corrects this, and shows that it contradicts the essential thesis of the Torah.

Not only that, but the whole emphasis on the family of Abraham in the Torah was to make way to the family of Aaron as well as the family of the "the one who God will send", who was a special person in the eyes of Moses, and who he prayed for to release the knot on his tongue through. 

Aaron though due to be the true successor of Moses, God told him, why are you looking all the way to "the one who God will send" instead of looking towards preparing people for enlightenment now, and that Aaron can do this task.

In other words, God wishes for us to look towards the eminent for enlightening people. In Suratal Nisa (the 4th Surah), God reveals to obey the Messenger and those who possess the authority from us.

This is a huge revelation and emphasis.  Linguistically speaking, it is ambiguous. But the context of Quran and it's emphasis, it has to be seen to be Leaders like the Prophets except without Prophethood.

Now if context was missing, perhaps, people can be excused.  Especially since there can be confusion on the phrase "so if dispute regarding a matter so refer it to God and the Messenger if you believe in God and the last day, this is best, and most suitable in ending."

However there was a clear context that was emphasising on the witnesses from each people, and that Mohammad was a witness on these (people), and there is a theme in Quran that people will be called with a witness from them, other verses clarify that it's the leader from them and one explicity says "the day every human is called with their leader", and another verse say "and every soul came with it (on the day of judgement), a driver and witness".

This is already reminds of the true leaders and authorities of guidance. But it didn't finish there, it went into a dialogue where as the clergy of the Christians and Jews were attributing purity to themselves, and sufficient was it as a lie. This didn't mean they were saying they were sinless, but they put a aura of purity and righteousness with no proof.

They did so and claimed the sorcery and the false idol (Taghut) which they believed in were more guided then believers in their path. Then says "do they have a share in the authority....", the authority they were claiming was not political kingship but religious authority.  They were claiming to represent God and the Prophets, as a collective. The Quran says they have no share in such authority as the Prophets. Then makes them recall while putting the question if it's a matter envy towards certain humans....

"Or do they envy the humans for what God has given them out of his grace? So we gave the family of Abraham, the book, and the wisdom, and we gave them a great authority."

The great authority that the family of Abraham was given was one from God, it was the one emphasized in the Torah. Do they have a share in this authority? Surely, they should realized that the likes of Abraham and Isaac, cannot have a comparison with clergy. 

In fact, if the truly believe in that authority, they would tell people at the very least to think for themselves and see if Mohammad is correct, not dictate, and hide the truth, of what Torah, Psalms, etc, all say about the one who God will send.

It then warns heavily on not turning away from God through such insolent behaviour, reminds of believing in God's signs and warns heavily not to disbelieve in the signs of God.   It was in flow of that discussion that God says:

"O you who believe, obey God and obey the Messenger and those who possess the Authority from you...."

The line that follows is to emphasize if they dispute concerning them, the Quran and Sunnah clarifies who they are, and if they are confused as to how to refer to God and the Messenger in disputes, the Possessors of the authority will guide and clarify. 

Sectarian disputes in Islam revolve around two things: "how to refer to Quran and Sunnah", and "who the Ulil-Amr (possessors of the authority)" are, the Quran has clarified both. So if we dispute how to refer to Quran and Sunnah, then it clarifies how to get that clarification. And if we dispute who the Ulil-Amr are, then it should be known Quran and Sunnah clarify who they are. 

The line 4:54 definitely is clarifying the humans who are envied with respect to contrast to clergy authority which is false, and comparison to the household of Abraham authority which is true and great. This is the context leading way to 4:59.

And in fact, this cannot be explained except by means of dark magic on the hearts.  People are obtuse sometimes, but over all, humans read these words heedlessly and cannot link them.

The 12 Imams argued by context, that 4:59 refers to the humans who were envied with respect to the authority given to the family of Abraham, and the knowledge, and wisdom, from the book. 

They emphasized that the context clarifies exactly who they are. And it's obvious it's a household of guidance, the household of Mohammad.

8 But when Thorondor was gone, Turgon sat long in thought, and he opened his heart, and sent to the eagles to search for Húrin of Dor-lómin; and bring him if they might to Gondolin. But it was too late, and they never saw him again in light or shadow.

9 For Húrin stood in despair before the silent cliffs of the Echoriath, and the westering sun, piercing the clouds, stained his white hair with red. Then he cried aloud in the wilderness, heedless of any ears, and he cursed the pitiless land; and standing at last upon a high rock he looked toward Gondolin and called in a great voice: "Turgon, Turgon, remember the fen of Serech! O Turgon, will you not hear in your hidden halls?" But there was no sound save the wind in the high grasses. And a darkness fell upon him, and the wind ceased, and there was aught but silence in the waste. (The Silmarillion, 22:8-9)