batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l11952-l12078
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l11952-l12078
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
passage_locator:
label: PUBLIC SERVICES, / AND EMINENT LITERARY ATTAINMENTS, / THE TRANSLATOR. /
PREFACE; lines 11952-12078
start: '11952'
end: '12078'
translation: The Koran (Al-Qur'an), Rodwell translation
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'The passage warns that God can punish plotters and idolaters, describes
universal prostration before God, rejects associating partners or daughters with
God, condemns ingratitude, and announces accountability, appointed terms, and
fire for the false. It then lists signs and provisions: revelation, rain reviving
dead earth, milk, fruits, the bee and its medicinal fluid, human life stages,
family, food, parables of unequal persons, the last hour, human faculties, birds
in the sky, and dwellings made from animal materials.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage asks whether plotters are secure from the earth cleaving beneath
them, unexpected chastisement, seizure during movement, or a slowly wasting scourge.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Created things are described as turning their shadows right and left while
prostrating before God.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: All moving things in the heavens and on the earth, including angels, are said
to prostrate in adoration before God and to be free from pride.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The passage commands that two gods not be taken, because God is one.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: People are described as turning to God for help in trouble, but some associate
partners with Him after relief.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Idols receive a share set apart from divine bounties, and those responsible
are told they will be called to account.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Some people ascribe daughters to God while disliking daughters for themselves.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: When the birth of a daughter is announced to one of them, his face darkens,
he is sad, and he hides from people while considering disgrace or burial in the
dust.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: If God punished people immediately for perverse deeds, no moving thing would
remain on earth; instead He gives respite until an appointed term.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Fire is said to await those whose tongues falsely claim a good lot.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Apostles are said to have been sent to earlier nations, while Satan prepared
those nations' work for them.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: The Book is said to have been sent down to clarify disputes and serve as guidance
and mercy for believers.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: God sends water from heaven and thereby gives life to the earth after it has
been dead.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: Cattle provide pure milk from within their bellies, described as between dregs
and blood.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: The palm and vine provide wine and healthful nutriment.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:16
text: The Lord teaches the bee to make houses in mountains, trees, and human-built
hives; to feed on every kind of fruit; and to walk the Lord's paths.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:17
text: A fluid of varying hues comes from the bee's belly and yields medicine to
humans.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:18
text: Human beings are created by God, later taken to Himself, and some are carried
into old age when former knowledge is no longer known.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:19
text: God gives differing supplies of life to different people, but those with abundance
do not share equally with slaves whom they possess.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:20
text: God gives wives, sons, grandsons, and good things, while vain idols are described
as unable to provide even a particle of food from heaven or earth.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:21
text: The passage says not to make comparisons with God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:22
text: A comparison is made between a powerless owned slave and a free man supplied
by God who gives alms secretly and openly.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:23
text: A second comparison contrasts a man dumb from birth and burdensome to his
lord with a man who enjoins justice and keeps to the straight path.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:24
text: The last hour is described as coming like the twinkling of an eye or less.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:25
text: People are brought from their mothers' wombs without knowledge and are given
hearing, sight, and heart so that they may give thanks.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:26
text: Birds are described as subjected to God in heaven's vault, held by none but
God.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:27
text: God provides tents and animal skins for portable dwellings, and wool, soft
fur, and hair for furniture and temporary goods.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: The one God who punishes, grants respite, receives prostration, gives
blessings, sends the Book, sends water, teaches the bee, creates humans, provides
families and goods, knows the secrets of heaven and earth, and holds the birds.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Plotters / idolaters / ungrateful people
description: People who plot mischief, associate partners with God, allot shares
to idols, ascribe daughters to God, and are warned of accountability and fire.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Created things and angels
description: All moving things in heaven and earth, including angels, that prostrate
before God and obey Him.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Apostles
description: Messengers sent to nations before the addressed prophet.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Satan
description: Figure who prepared the work of earlier nations and is described as
their liege.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: The bee
description: A creature taught by the Lord to build in mountains, trees, and hives,
to feed on fruits, and from whose belly comes medicinal fluid.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Owned slave in parable
description: A slave who is the property of his lord and has no power over anything.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Free generous man in parable
description: A free man supplied by God who gives alms secretly and openly.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Dumb man in parable
description: A man dumb from birth, powerless, burdensome to his lord, and unsuccessful
when sent.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Just man in parable
description: A man who enjoins what is just and keeps to the straight path.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Birds
description: Birds in heaven's vault, subjected to God and held by none but God.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine judge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is said to punish, call people to account, set an appointed term, and
make the last hour swift.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:11
- id: role:2
label: sole deity
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage commands that two gods not be taken and states that God is one.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: provider of signs and provisions
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God sends water, provides milk, fruits, families, faculties, dwellings, and
other goods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:4
label: teacher of nonhuman creature
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Lord is said to teach the bee where to build and how to feed and move.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: warned wrongdoers
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The passage warns plotters, idolaters, and those assigning false things to
God of punishment and accountability.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: recipients of divine bounty who are ungrateful
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They receive relief, bounties, family, and goods but join associates with
God or worship powerless idols.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:9
- id: role:7
label: cosmic worshippers
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: All moving things and angels are said to prostrate and obey without pride.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: earlier messengers
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Apostles are said to have been sent to nations before the addressee.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: misleading patron
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Satan is said to have prepared earlier nations' work and to be their liege.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: instructed medicinal creature
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The bee receives instruction and produces a fluid that yields medicine to
humans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: powerless dependent in parable
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The slave is owned and has no power over anything.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:12
label: generous free person in parable
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The free man has been supplied and gives alms secretly and openly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:13
label: ineffective burden in parable
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The dumb man is powerless, burdensome, and unsuccessful when sent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:14
label: just guide in parable
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The contrasted man enjoins justice and keeps the straight path.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:15
label: sustained creatures
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Birds are held in heaven's vault by God alone.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fire of punishment
literal_form: fire
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: water from heaven reviving earth
literal_form: water
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: milk as provision and teaching
literal_form: milk from cattle
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- milk
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: mountains as bee dwellings
literal_form: mountains
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: trees as bee dwellings
literal_form: trees
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:6
label: bee fluid as medicine
literal_form: fluid of varying hues from the bee's belly
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: prostrating shadows
literal_form: shadows turning right and left in prostration
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:8
label: the Book as guidance
literal_form: the Book sent down
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:9
label: portable tents and animal coverings
literal_form: tents, skins, wool, fur, and hair
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:10
label: hearing, sight, and heart
literal_form: human faculties of hearing, sight, and heart
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Warnings of sudden or gradual divine punishment
summary: The passage warns plotters that God can make the earth cleave under them,
send unexpected chastisement, seize them in movement, or afflict them with a wasting
scourge, while also describing the Lord as good and gracious.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Universal prostration before God
summary: Created things, their shadows, moving beings in heaven and earth, and angels
are described as prostrating before God, fearing Him, and obeying His command.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Monotheistic command and human ingratitude
summary: The passage commands reverence for one God, says all blessings come from
Him, and describes people returning to idolatrous association after receiving
relief.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Rejected attribution of daughters to God
summary: The passage condemns ascribing daughters to God while those same people
grieve and hide when a daughter is born to them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Respite, appointed term, fire, and prior apostles
summary: God gives wrongdoers respite until an appointed term, fire awaits the false,
apostles were sent to earlier nations, and the Book was sent as clarification,
guidance, and mercy.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Signs in rain, cattle, fruit, and the bee
summary: Water revives dead earth, cattle yield milk, palms and vines yield nourishment,
and the instructed bee produces a medicinal fluid.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:7
label: Human life, provision, family, and powerless idols
summary: God creates and takes humans, some reach old age and loss of knowledge,
provision differs among people, families and goods are given, and idols are described
as unable to provide food.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:8
label: Parables of unequal persons
summary: The passage forbids comparisons with God and then sets forth comparisons
between a powerless slave and a generous free man, and between a dumb burdensome
man and a just man on the straight path.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: scene:9
label: The last hour and human faculties
summary: God knows the secrets of heaven and earth, the last hour is near as the
twinkling of an eye, and humans are born without knowledge but given hearing,
sight, and heart.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: scene:10
label: Birds and portable dwellings as signs of provision
summary: Birds in the sky are held by God, and God provides tents, animal skins,
wool, fur, and hair for dwellings and temporary goods.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine judgment of wrongdoers
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage describes possible punishments, accountability, appointed terms,
the last hour, and fire awaiting the false.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:11
confidence: high
cautions: The extraction stays at the level of judgment imagery and does not infer
a full eschatological system beyond the passage.
- id: motif:2
label: cosmic worship and submission
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Shadows, all moving beings in heaven and earth, and angels are described
as prostrating before God and obeying Him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly names this motif family.
- id: motif:3
label: heavenly water revives dead earth
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
basis: Water sent from heaven gives life to the earth after it has been dead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents this as a sign in nature; linking it to a broader
death-rebirth motif is plausible but should be reviewed.
- id: motif:4
label: divine provision through animals and plants
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Milk, fruit, wine, nourishment, bee honey-like medicine, animal skins, wool,
fur, and hair are presented as provisions from God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: No specific available motif-family taxonomy item matches this broad providence
pattern.
- id: motif:5
label: instructed bee producing medicine
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The Lord teaches the bee its dwellings, food, and paths, and a medicinal
fluid comes from its belly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference to wisdom is indirect, based on divine instruction
and a sign for consideration; human review should confirm.
- id: motif:6
label: parable of unequal powers and moral guidance
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The passage uses comparisons between powerless and effective figures to make
a moral and theological point.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy contains a broad wisdom category; the passage itself
gives parables but not a named wisdom genre label.
- id: motif:7
label: human birth without knowledge followed by endowed faculties
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Humans are said to emerge from the womb without knowledge and receive hearing,
sight, and heart for gratitude.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The link to wisdom is thematic and should be reviewed.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage supports comparison with a broad divine-judgment motif family
because it combines warning, accountability, appointed time, eschatological hour,
and punitive fire.
claim_level: same_motif
target: divine_judgment
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:11
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: This is a taxonomy-level comparison only; it does not establish historical
contact or dependence.
- id: claim:2
claim: The rain that gives life to dead earth has the same function as a death-rebirth
pattern in which lifelessness is reversed by a life-giving agent.
claim_level: same_function
target: death_rebirth
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage frames the event as a natural sign of divine power, not
as a narrative of a dying and returning person or deity.
- id: claim:3
claim: The parables of unequal figures can be compared with wisdom-style moral instruction
because contrasting examples are used to direct judgment about justice and divine
truth.
claim_level: same_function
target: wisdom
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage itself calls them comparisons, not a separate wisdom genre;
the taxonomy match is broad.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 11952-11960
quote_or_summary: Plotters are warned that God may make the earth cleave under them,
send unexpected chastisement, seize them in their movements, or afflict them with
a wasting scourge, while the Lord is gracious.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 11961-11969
quote_or_summary: Created things turn their shadows in prostration, and all moving
things in heaven and earth, including angels, prostrate, fear their Lord, and
obey.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 11970-11984
quote_or_summary: The passage commands that two gods not be taken, says God is one,
attributes all blessings to God, describes people turning to Him in trouble then
associating partners after relief, and warns of account for allotting bounties
to idols.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 11985-11994
quote_or_summary: Some ascribe daughters to God while disliking daughters for themselves;
the birth of a daughter brings sadness, hiding, and the question of keeping her
in disgrace or burying her in dust.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 11995-12004
quote_or_summary: God gives respite until an appointed term; fire awaits the false;
apostles were sent to earlier nations; Satan prepared their work; the Book was
sent down as clarification, guidance, and mercy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 12005-12008
quote_or_summary: God sends water from heaven and by it gives life to the earth
after it has been dead.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 12009-12014
quote_or_summary: Cattle provide pure milk; palms and vines provide wine and healthful
nutriment, presented as signs for reflection.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 12015-12022
quote_or_summary: The Lord teaches the bee to build in mountains, trees, and hives,
to eat fruits and follow divine paths; from its belly comes a multicolored fluid
that yields medicine to humans.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 12023-12036
quote_or_summary: God creates humans, takes them to Himself, carries some into old
age and loss of knowledge, gives varied provisions, wives, descendants, and goods;
idols are unable to provide food from heaven or earth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 12037-12049
quote_or_summary: The passage says not to compare anything with God, then gives
comparisons between a powerless owned slave and a free generous almsgiver, and
between a dumb burdensome man and a man who commands justice and keeps the straight
path.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 12050-12055
quote_or_summary: God owns the secrets of heaven and earth; the last hour will be
like the twinkling of an eye or less; humans come from the womb without knowledge
and receive hearing, sight, and heart.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 12056-12078
quote_or_summary: Birds in heaven's vault are subjected to God and held by none
but Him; God gives tents, animal skins, wool, fur, and hair for portable dwelling
and temporary use.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the supplied passage. Motif and comparison
assignments are cautious and limited to available taxonomy terms; several are
broad thematic matches requiring human review.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-29'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage text and metadata. No external identifications or line corrections were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l11952-l12078
passage_sha256=660f5753fe98d8e7fcb5b6116557025c2017070614c604b62ab3601de1adaf6c