batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l14253-l14381
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l14253-l14381
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 14253-14381
start: '14253'
end: '14381'
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 recounts Moses fleeing an unjust people, traveling to Madian,
helping two women water their flock, entering a term of service and marriage arrangement,
encountering a divine voice at a fire on a mountain-side, receiving signs of the
rod-serpent and white hand, asking for Aaron's support, confronting Pharaoh, and
the punishment of Pharaoh and his hosts. It then reflects on the giving of the
Law to Moses, later warning, scripture-recognition, and righteous conduct.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Moses leaves in fear and asks the Lord to deliver him from unjust people.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Moses journeys toward Madian and asks that his Lord direct him on an even
path.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: At the water of Madian, Moses finds men watering and two women holding back
their flock.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The two women say they cannot water until the shepherds have driven off and
that their father is very aged.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Moses waters the flock for the women, withdraws to the shade, and prays that
he needs the good God has sent him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: One woman summons Moses to her father so he may pay wages for the watering.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The father offers Moses marriage to one of his two daughters in exchange for
eight years of hired service, with ten years optional.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: After Moses fulfills the term, he travels with his family and perceives a
fire on the mountain-side.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Moses tells his family to wait while he seeks tidings or a brand from the
fire.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: A voice calls to Moses from the bush in the sacred hollow and identifies itself
as God, the Lord of the Worlds.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Moses is told to throw down his rod; it moves as though it were a serpent,
and Moses retreats in fear.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Moses is told to place his hand into his bosom so that it comes out white
but unharmed; these are described as two signs for Pharaoh and his nobles.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: Moses says he fears being killed because he has slain one of Pharaoh's people,
and he asks that his brother Aaron be sent with him as help because Aaron is clearer
of speech.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: Pharaoh tells his nobles they have no god known to him but himself and commands
Haman to build a tower so that he may mount up to the God of Moses.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: Pharaoh and his hosts are seized and cast into the sea, followed by curse,
shame, and mention of the day of Resurrection.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:16
text: The book of the Law is given to Moses for enlightenment, guidance, and mercy.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:17
text: Some recipients of earlier Scriptures are said to believe in the recited truth
and to repel evil with good, give alms, and withdraw from light discourse.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Moses
description: A fugitive who journeys to Madian, helps at the water, enters a service
and marriage agreement, receives divine signs, and is sent against Pharaoh.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Two women / two daughters
description: Two women keep back their flock at the water of Madian; one later summons
Moses, and the father refers to them as his two daughters.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Aged father of the two women
description: The women's very aged father calls Moses, reassures him, pays or offers
wages, and proposes a marriage and service agreement.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: God / the Voice / Lord of the Worlds
description: The divine speaker calls to Moses from the bush, gives him signs, strengthens
him with Aaron, judges Pharaoh, and gives the Law to Moses.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Aaron
description: Moses' brother, described by Moses as clearer of speech and requested
as a helper.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Pharaoh
description: A proud and unjust ruler who rejects Moses' signs, claims no other
god is known to him, orders a tower built, and is cast into the sea with his hosts.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Haman
description: The person commanded by Pharaoh to burn bricks of clay and build a
tower.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Pharaoh's nobles and hosts
description: Pharaoh's nobles are addressed by him and named as recipients of Moses'
signs; his hosts share in his proud behavior and punishment.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Recipients of earlier Scriptures
description: People given Scriptures before the present recitation who believe in
it and are described as patient, charitable, and peace-speaking.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
roles:
- id: role:1
label: fugitive petitioner
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Moses leaves in fear and asks God for deliverance from unjust people.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: helper at the water
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Moses waters the flock for the two women at Madian.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: flock-keepers and daughters
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The women keep back their flock and are later called the father's two daughters.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: hirer and marriage-arranger
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The father calls Moses, offers payment, and proposes marriage to one daughter
in exchange for a term of service.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: divine caller and commissioner
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The Voice identifies itself as God, commands Moses, gives signs, and strengthens
him with Aaron.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: prophetic envoy and sign-bearer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:5
basis: Moses receives signs for Pharaoh, and Aaron is sent as his helper; both are
promised power.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: brother-helper and spokesman
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Moses names Aaron as his brother, clearer of speech, and requests him as
help.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: arrogant opposing ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Pharaoh rejects Moses' signs, claims unique divinity known to him, and behaves
proudly and unjustly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: royal builder-agent
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Pharaoh orders Haman to burn bricks and build a tower.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: opposing nobles and hosts
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The nobles are named among those to receive signs, and the hosts share Pharaoh's
conduct and punishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: scripture-believing righteous group
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: They are said to believe in the recitation and to act with patience, charity,
and peace.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: water of Madian
literal_form: water-place where men water and where the two women keep back their
flock
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: fire on the mountain-side
literal_form: fire perceived by Moses while traveling with his family
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:3
label: bush in the sacred hollow
literal_form: bush from which the Voice calls to Moses in the sacred hollow
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: rod moving as a serpent
literal_form: Moses' rod thrown down and moving as though it were a serpent
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: white unharmed hand
literal_form: Moses' hand placed in his bosom and coming forth white but unharmed
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: tower toward the God of Moses
literal_form: tower Pharaoh orders Haman to build so he may mount up to the God
of Moses
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: sea of punishment
literal_form: sea into which Pharaoh and his hosts are cast
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:8
label: book of the Law
literal_form: book of the Law given to Moses for enlightenment, guidance, and mercy
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Flight and journey toward Madian
summary: Moses departs in fear from unjust people and prays for deliverance and
guidance on the road to Madian.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Watering at Madian
summary: At the water of Madian, Moses finds men watering and two women waiting
with their flock, then waters for them and withdraws to the shade.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Summons, reassurance, and service-marriage agreement
summary: One woman brings Moses to her father, who reassures him that he has escaped
injustice and proposes marriage to one daughter in exchange for a term of service.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Fire, mountain-side, and divine call
summary: After the term is fulfilled, Moses travels with his family, sees a fire
on the mountain-side, approaches it, and hears the divine Voice from the bush
in the sacred hollow.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Signs and Aaron's support
summary: Moses receives the signs of the rod-serpent and white hand, expresses fear
of Pharaoh's people, and asks that Aaron be sent as helper and clearer spokesman.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Pharaoh's rejection and tower command
summary: Moses comes with signs, but Pharaoh's side calls them magical device; Pharaoh
claims no other god is known to him and orders Haman to build a tower.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Punishment of Pharaoh and his hosts
summary: Pharaoh and his hosts act proudly and unjustly, are seized and cast into
the sea, and are associated with curse, shame, hell-fire, and the day of Resurrection.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:8
label: Law, warning, and recognition by scripture recipients
summary: The passage states that the Law was given to Moses as guidance and mercy,
that later warning comes by divine mercy, and that some earlier scripture recipients
believe and practice patient righteous conduct.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Flight from unjust people and guided departure
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Moses leaves in fear, seeks deliverance from unjust people, and journeys
toward Madian seeking guidance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives a flight and journey sequence but does not elaborate
a full exile cycle beyond this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: Aid at a water-place leading to social exchange
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Moses waters the flock for two women; the act leads to summons by their father,
wages, and a marriage/service agreement.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is explicit, but the taxonomy label 'sacred_exchange' is
interpretive because the passage presents it as a social agreement within a sacred
narrative rather than naming it a ritual exchange.
- id: motif:3
label: Divine call from fire and mountain-side
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Moses sees fire on a mountain-side, approaches, and hears the divine Voice
from the bush in the sacred hollow.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No broader comparison beyond the passage is asserted.
- id: motif:4
label: Miraculous signs of rod-serpent and white hand
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
- shapeshifter
basis: The rod moves as though it were a serpent, and the hand comes out white but
unharmed; both are called signs from the Lord to Pharaoh and his nobles.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The text says the rod moved as though it were a serpent; the exact ontological
status of the transformation is not further specified in this excerpt.
- id: motif:5
label: Brother-helper paired in mission
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
basis: Moses asks for his brother Aaron as a clearer-spoken helper, and both are
promised strength and power.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes fraternal assistance in a mission rather than a
full twin or sibling-cycle narrative.
- id: motif:6
label: Ruler's attempted ascent by tower
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Pharaoh claims no other god is known to him and commands Haman to build a
tower so he may mount up to the God of Moses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The ascent is commanded and rhetorical within Pharaoh's rejection; the
passage does not narrate an actual completed ascent.
- id: motif:7
label: Divine judgment of proud ruler by water and afterlife shame
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- resurrection
basis: Pharaoh and his hosts behave proudly and unjustly, are cast into the sea,
and are associated with hell-fire, curse, shame, and the day of Resurrection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The destruction is summarized rather than narrated in detail.
- id: motif:8
label: Revealed book as guidance and mercy
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The book of the Law is given to Moses for human enlightenment, guidance,
mercy, and reflection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage uses guidance and enlightenment language; no separate wisdom
figure is present.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 14253-14260
quote_or_summary: Moses goes forth in fear, asks the Lord for deliverance from unjust
people, and journeys toward Madian seeking direction on an even path.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 14261-14272
quote_or_summary: At the water of Madian, Moses finds men watering and two women
keeping back their flock; they explain that they wait until the shepherds depart
because their father is very aged, and Moses waters for them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 14273-14289
quote_or_summary: One woman summons Moses to her father for payment; the father
tells Moses he has escaped unjust people, one daughter recommends hiring him,
and the father proposes marriage to one daughter in exchange for eight or optionally
ten years of service.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 14290-14295
quote_or_summary: After fulfilling the term, Moses journeys with his family, perceives
a fire on the mountain-side, and tells his family to wait while he seeks tidings
or a brand for warmth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 14296-14306
quote_or_summary: A Voice calls to Moses from the bush in the sacred hollow, identifies
itself as God, commands him to throw down his rod, which moves as though a serpent,
and gives the sign of the white unharmed hand for Pharaoh and his nobles.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 14307-14316
quote_or_summary: Moses fears being killed for having slain one of Pharaoh's people
and asks that his clearer-spoken brother Aaron be sent as help; God says his arm
will be strengthened with his brother and both will be given power.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 14317-14326
quote_or_summary: Moses' signs are called magical device; Pharaoh tells his nobles
that he knows no god for them but himself and commands Haman to burn bricks and
build a tower so he may mount up to the God of Moses.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 14327-14336
quote_or_summary: Pharaoh and his hosts act proudly and unjustly, are seized and
cast into the sea, and are linked with hell-fire, lack of help on the day of Resurrection,
curse, and shame.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 14337-14340
quote_or_summary: After former generations are destroyed, the book of the Law is
given to Moses for human enlightenment, guidance, mercy, and reflection.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 14341-14360
quote_or_summary: The addressee is told he was not present at Sinai or Madian during
Moses' charge and calling; warning is described as mercy so that people cannot
claim no apostle came before calamity.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 14361-14381
quote_or_summary: The passage discusses people who ask for powers like those given
to Moses, challenges them to bring a better guiding book, and says earlier scripture
recipients believe in the recitation, receive double reward, repel evil with good,
give alms, and withdraw peacefully from foolish discourse.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summary only.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels are conservative;
some taxonomy mappings, especially sacred_exchange, ascent, and royal_legitimacy,
need human review. No comparison claims were added because the passage does not
itself provide enough basis for a specific cross-tradition comparison beyond internal
references to Moses, the Law, and earlier Scriptures.
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: |-
All evidence is summarized from the provided public-domain Rodwell translation excerpt.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l14253-l14381
passage_sha256=67c02e713541b5d113b4174f6605d63cc10103f41d71663a638d7146b6b34bb1