التفسير التبليغي
(The planets that recede and hide.) (16)
Allah swears by some of His creations to draw humanity's attention to the importance of this creation in demonstrating Allah's power, so that humankind may reflect upon His (Glorified be He) power. All of this is an invitation to acknowledge the power of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
Regarding `بِالْخُنَّسِ` (by the receding/hiding ones): It was said that they are wild cattle, and it was also said that they are women who walk and hide (from sight). The "Kunnas" are those that hide from sight.
He (Glorified be He) swore by the stars in their three states: their rising, their movement, and their setting.
Since the stars have a state of appearance, a state of disappearance, a state of movement, and a state of setting – He (Glorified be He) swore by them in all their states.
`الْجَوارِي الْكُنَّسِ` (The planets that recede and hide) means the moving celestial bodies that hide and disappear during the day under the light of the sun.
The oath encompassed: their rising, their setting, their appearance, and their disappearance.
Source: التفسير التبليغي