batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l13697-l13840
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l13697-l13840
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 13697-13840
start: '13697'
end: '13840'
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: Joseph seats his parents in state, identifies their bowing as the fulfillment
of his earlier dream, recalls divine rescue from prison and reunion from the desert,
and prays for righteous death. The passage then frames the story as revealed hidden
history, instruction without recompense, and a warning about ignored signs, idolatry,
sudden divine chastisement, the fate of earlier peoples, the rescue of apostles,
and the guidance of scripture. Translator notes compare details of the Joseph
story with Genesis and Jewish traditions. The passage ends with the opening formula
and initial statement of revelation in Sura XL.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Joseph raises his parents to the seat of state, and they bow before him; he
says this is the meaning of his earlier dream.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Joseph attributes his release from prison and the arrival of his family from
the desert to the Lord's grace after Satan had stirred strife between him and
his brothers.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Joseph says he has been given dominion and taught to expound dark sayings,
and he asks to die as a Muslim and be joined with the just.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The narrative says the story is among secret histories revealed to the addressee,
who was not present when Joseph's brothers plotted.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The message is described as requiring no recompense and as an instruction
for all mankind.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Many signs in the heavens and on earth are said to be passed by and ignored.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Many people are described as not believing in God without also joining other
deities with Him.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The passage warns of an overwhelming chastisement of God or the sudden coming
of the Hour while people are unaware.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: The speaker declares a way based on clear proof, calls people to God, glorifies
God, and rejects adding other deities to Him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Earlier messengers are described as men chosen from the people of cities,
to whom revelations were made.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: People are urged to journey through the land and observe the end of those
before them; the next life is said to be better for those who fear God.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: When apostles lost hope and thought they were counted as liars, divine aid
reached them; some were delivered, while vengeance was not averted from the wicked.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: The histories are described as an example for understanding people, not a
new fictional tale, but a confirmation of previous scriptures and guidance and
mercy for believers.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:14
text: Translator notes identify or compare several details of the Joseph story with
Genesis, Sepher Hadjascher, Midrash Rabbah, Midrash Jalkut, Midrash Tanchumah,
and rabbinic commentary.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: obs:15
text: The opening of Sura XL states that the sending down of the Book is from God,
described as Almighty and All-knowing.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Joseph
description: The figure who seats his parents, interprets the event as fulfillment
of his dream, recalls prison and family reunion, and prays to God.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Joseph's parents
description: They are raised to the seat of state and bow before Joseph.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Joseph's brethren
description: They are named as those between whom Satan stirred strife and as those
who conceived a design and laid a plot.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Satan
description: A being said to have stirred up strife between Joseph and his brothers.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: God / Lord
description: The maker of the heavens and earth, Joseph's guardian in this world
and the next, revealer of secret histories, sender of aid, and source of judgment
and scripture.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:9
- ev:13
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Addressee of revelation
description: The person addressed as receiving secret histories and commanded to
say, 'This is my way'; translator note identifies the unseen-history addressee
as Muhammad.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:12
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Apostles
description: Earlier messengers who lost hope, were regarded as liars, and then
received divine aid.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: The wicked
description: Those from whom divine vengeance was not averted.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Believers / those who fear God
description: Those for whom the next life is better and for whom the histories are
guidance and mercy.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: Dream recipient and interpreter
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Joseph identifies the bowing of his parents as the meaning of his earlier
dream and says he has been taught to expound dark sayings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: Ruler granted dominion
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Joseph is associated with the seat of state and says God has given him dominion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: Righteous supplicant
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Joseph prays to die as a Muslim and be joined with the just.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: Honoring parents
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They bow before Joseph after being raised to the seat of state.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: Plotting brothers
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They are described as having conceived a design and laid a plot.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: Instigator of strife
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Satan is said to have stirred up strife between Joseph and his brothers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:7
label: Gracious guardian
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Joseph calls the Lord gracious and his guardian in this world and the next.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: Revealer of hidden history
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The secret histories are said to be revealed by the divine speaker.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: Judge and deliverer
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The passage warns of divine chastisement and says divine aid delivered whom
God willed while vengeance reached the wicked.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: role:10
label: Recipient and proclaimer
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The addressee receives the revealed history and is instructed to call people
to God on clear proof.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: role:11
label: Rejected messengers rescued by aid
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The apostles are said to have lost hope, been counted liars, and then received
divine aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: Objects of vengeance
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Divine vengeance is said not to be averted from the wicked.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:13
label: Recipients of guidance and mercy
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The next life is better for those who fear God, and the histories are guidance
and mercy for those who believe.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Seat of state
literal_form: Royal or official seat on which Joseph raises his parents.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: Dream of old
literal_form: Joseph's earlier dream whose meaning is fulfilled when his parents
bow.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: Prison
literal_form: Place from which Joseph says the Lord brought him forth.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: Desert
literal_form: Place from which Joseph says his family was brought up.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:5
label: Dark sayings
literal_form: Obscure sayings or dreams that Joseph says he was taught to expound.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:6
label: Signs in the heavens and on earth
literal_form: Signs that people pass by and turn aside from.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: The Hour
literal_form: A sudden eschatological time that may come while people are unaware.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: Histories as example
literal_form: The histories presented as an example, confirmation of previous scriptures,
guidance, and mercy.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:9
label: The Book
literal_form: The revealed Book said at the opening of Sura XL to be sent down from
God.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Joseph's enthronement and dream fulfillment
summary: Joseph raises his parents to the seat of state; they bow before him, and
he explains this as the fulfillment of his earlier dream.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Joseph's thanksgiving and prayer
summary: Joseph recalls divine grace in release from prison and family reunion,
acknowledges dominion and interpretive knowledge, and prays to die as a Muslim
and join the just.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Revealed hidden history as instruction
summary: The narrative states that the story is a secret history revealed to the
addressee, that the addressee was not present at the brothers' plot, and that
the message asks no recompense but instructs all mankind.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Warnings about signs, idolatry, and the Hour
summary: The passage says people pass by signs in heaven and earth, mix belief in
God with other deities, and may be overtaken by sudden divine chastisement or
the Hour.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Former peoples and rescued apostles
summary: The passage recalls earlier male messengers from cities, urges travel through
the land to observe former peoples' ends, and describes divine aid reaching apostles
and vengeance reaching the wicked.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:6
label: Opening of Sura XL
summary: The new sura opens in the name of God and states that the Book is sent
down from God, the Almighty and All-knowing.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Dream fulfilled through public recognition
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Joseph interprets the bowing of his parents before his seat of state as the
realized meaning of his earlier dream, in a setting associated with dominion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states dream fulfillment and dominion, but it does not explicitly
use the term kingship or legitimacy.
- id: motif:2
label: Divinely granted wisdom and interpretation
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Joseph says God has taught him to expound dark sayings, and God is called
Knowing and Wise.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not specify the individual dark sayings here beyond linking
the statement to the Joseph story.
- id: motif:3
label: Hidden history revealed as instruction
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The story is presented as secret history revealed to the addressee and as
instruction for all mankind.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: This is primarily a revelatory framing motif rather than a narrative event
inside the Joseph story.
- id: motif:4
label: Sudden divine judgment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage warns of overwhelming chastisement and the sudden arrival of
the Hour, and later says divine vengeance was not averted from the wicked.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives warning and general precedent rather than a detailed
judgment scene.
- id: motif:5
label: Deliverance of rejected messengers
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: When apostles lost hope and were deemed liars, divine aid reached them, delivering
whom God willed while the wicked remained subject to vengeance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The apostles and their communities are not individually named in this
passage.
- id: motif:6
label: Exemplary histories of former peoples
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: People are urged to journey through the land and see the end of those before
them; the histories are described as examples for people of understanding.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not name the former peoples or specify the visible remains.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage itself presents these histories as confirming earlier scriptures
rather than as a new fictional tale.
claim_level: same_function
target: Previous scriptures
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage does not name the specific previous scriptures in the main
text.
- id: claim:2
claim: The translator notes connect the Joseph dream-fulfillment scene with Genesis
traditions, especially the dream prediction involving family members bowing before
Joseph.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Genesis Joseph cycle, especially Genesis 37:10 as cited in the note
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:11
counter_evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: medium
limitations: The comparison is mediated by the translator's note, which also highlights
a difference about Joseph's mother and possible rabbinic explanations.
- id: claim:3
claim: The translator notes identify several Joseph-story details in the passage's
larger sura as comparable to Jewish exegetical traditions such as Midrash Rabbah,
Midrash Jalkut, Midrash Tanchumah, and Sepher Hadjascher.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Jewish exegetical traditions on Joseph
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: low
limitations: The cited notes refer to multiple details across the Joseph narrative,
not all of which occur in the immediate main-text excerpt.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: lines 13697-13706
quote_or_summary: Joseph raises his parents to the seat of state; they bow, and
he says this is the meaning of his old dream, recalling release from prison and
reunion from the desert after Satan stirred strife with his brothers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 13707-13711
quote_or_summary: Joseph says, in summary, that God has given him dominion, taught
him to expound dark sayings, is maker of heaven and earth, and is his guardian
in this world and the next; he asks to die a Muslim and join the just.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 13712-13716
quote_or_summary: The story is called one of the secret histories revealed to the
addressee, who was not present when Joseph's brothers planned their plot; many
people will not believe.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 13717-13718
quote_or_summary: The addressee is told not to ask recompense for the message, which
is described as instruction for all mankind.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 13719-13724
quote_or_summary: Many signs in the heavens and earth are said to be ignored; many
are said to believe in God only while joining other deities with Him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 13725-13727
quote_or_summary: The passage asks whether people are secure from God's overwhelming
chastisement or the sudden coming of the Hour while unaware.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 13728-13731
quote_or_summary: The addressee is commanded to say that his way rests on clear
proof, that he and his followers call to God, and that he does not add other deities
to God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 13732-13737
quote_or_summary: Earlier messengers are described as men from cities who received
revelation; people are urged to journey through the land and see the end of predecessors;
the next life is better for those who fear God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 13738-13741
quote_or_summary: When apostles lost hope and thought they were counted liars, divine
aid reached them; those God willed were delivered, while vengeance was not averted
from the wicked.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 13742-13745
quote_or_summary: The histories are described as examples for people of understanding,
not fiction, but confirmation of previous scriptures, explanation, guidance, and
mercy for believers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: notes 24-25, within lines 13822-13831
quote_or_summary: A translator note says Joseph's mother had long been dead according
to Genesis 35:19, compares the event with the dream prediction in Genesis 37:10,
and mentions a rabbinic explanation involving Bilhah; another note glosses the
secret histories as announcements of unseen things to Muhammad.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: notes 1, 3, 9, 11-24, within lines 13749-13831
quote_or_summary: The translator notes cite or compare the Joseph narrative with
Genesis and Jewish sources including Tractate Sotah, Sepher Hadjascher, Midrash
Rabbah, Midrash Jalkut, Midrash Abkhir, Midrash Tanchumah, and Rashi.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 13834-13840
quote_or_summary: Sura XL begins with its Meccan heading, the formula naming God
as compassionate and merciful, the letters Ha Mim, and the statement that the
sending down of the Book is from God, the Almighty and All-knowing.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Main-text extraction is straightforward. Motif assignment is moderately confident
where taxonomy labels are broad. Comparison claims rely partly on translator notes
and should be checked by a human reviewer.
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: |-
No external sources were used; extraction is limited to the supplied passage text and metadata.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l13697-l13840
passage_sha256=aeea1a513ccb42dcfb19c0d984910ed71800fbb03e860be09c1e8cfb642e6d78