batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l5790-l5982
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l5790-l5982
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 5790-5982
start: '5790'
end: '5982'
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 describes divine judgment, Hell and Paradise, resurrection
from graves, and warning by the Koran. It then opens Sura XX with divine sovereignty
and the story of Moses: Moses sees a fire, is called by God in the holy valley,
receives signs of the staff becoming a serpent and the white hand, is sent to
Pharaoh, asks for Aaron as helper, and is reminded of his infant rescue in an
ark on the water and his later trials.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A figure at a person's side denies having led him astray, and God forbids
wrangling in his presence, saying the prior menace had already been given and
his doom does not change.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Hell is addressed as though it can answer, and replies to the question of
whether it is full by asking whether there are more.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Paradise is brought near to the pious, who are told to enter it in peace on
the day of eternity.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The passage states that God created the heavens, the earth, and what is between
them in six days, with no weariness touching him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: A crier will cry from a place near to all, people will hear the shout, and
the earth will cleave open over the dead as they are gathered.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The Koran is presented as a warning from the maker of earth and the lofty
heavens; God is described as seated on his throne and knowing hidden speech.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Moses sees a fire and tells his family to stay while he goes to it, hoping
to bring back a brand or find guidance there.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: At the fire, Moses is called by God, told to remove his shoes because he is
in the holy valley of Towa, and told that he has been chosen.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Moses' staff, when cast down at God's command, becomes a serpent that runs
along and is then to be restored to its former state.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: Moses is told to place his right hand to his arm-pit; it will come forth white
but unhurt as another sign.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: Moses is sent to Pharaoh and asks God to enlarge his breast, ease his work,
loosen his tongue, and appoint Aaron his brother as counsellor and colleague.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:12
text: 'God recalls an earlier favor: Moses'' mother was instructed to cast him into
an ark and then onto the sea or river, after which the water would throw him onto
the shore and an enemy would take him up.'
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:13
text: Moses' sister offers to show someone who will nurse him, and Moses is returned
to his mother so that she may be comforted.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:14
text: Moses is reminded that after killing a person he was delivered from trouble,
tried with other trials, stayed among the people of Midian for years, and came
by divine decree.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:15
text: Moses and Aaron are told to go to Pharaoh with God's signs and to speak to
him gently, since he has burst all bounds.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God / Lord / God of Mercy
description: Divine speaker who judges, creates, warns, reveals, chooses Moses,
gives signs, and commands the mission to Pharaoh.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: figure at his side
description: A figure beside the judged person who says he did not lead him astray.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Hell
description: Personified place of punishment that is asked whether it is full and
answers by asking if there are more.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: the Pious
description: Those for whom Paradise is brought near and who are told to enter it
in peace.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: the crier
description: A crier who will cry from a place near to everyone alike on the day
of resurrection.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Moses
description: Chosen prophet who sees the fire, receives the divine call and signs,
asks for Aaron's help, and is sent to Pharaoh.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Moses' family
description: Family members told by Moses to remain while he goes toward the fire.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Pharaoh
description: Ruler described as having burst all bounds and as the recipient of
Moses' and Aaron's mission.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Aaron
description: Moses' brother, requested as counsellor, strengthener, and colleague
in the work.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Moses' mother
description: Mother instructed concerning the infant Moses and later reunited with
him so that she would not grieve.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Moses' sister
description: Sister who offers to show someone who will nurse the infant Moses.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: enemy to God and Moses
description: Unspecified enemy who is to take up the infant Moses after the water
casts him onto the shore.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine judge, creator, revealer, and commissioner
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God judges, creates without weariness, warns by revelation, chooses Moses,
gives signs, and sends Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: role:2
label: denying companion at judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The figure at the side says he did not lead the judged person astray.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: personified place of punishment
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Hell is addressed and answers in speech.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: rewarded pious entrants
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The pious are promised Paradise and told to enter in peace.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: resurrection caller
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The crier calls on the day when people hear the shout and come forth from
the grave.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: chosen prophet and messenger
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Moses is chosen, receives revelation and signs, and is sent to Pharaoh.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:7
label: waiting family at threshold of revelation
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Moses tells his family to tarry while he approaches the fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: transgressive ruler addressed by prophetic mission
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Pharaoh is described as having burst all bounds and is the target of the
mission.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: role:9
label: brotherly counsellor and colleague
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Aaron is requested by Moses to strengthen him and share his work.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:10
label: mother of rescued infant
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Moses' mother receives the instruction to cast him into the ark and later
receives him back.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:11
label: sister as intermediary for nursing
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Moses' sister offers to identify someone to nurse the infant.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:12
label: hostile finder of exposed infant
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: An enemy to God and Moses is said to take up the infant after the water casts
him onto shore.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Hell
literal_form: A place of punishment addressed as full and answering, 'Are there
more?'
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: Paradise
literal_form: Paradise brought near to the pious as the promised place of peace
and desire.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: resurrection shout
literal_form: The crier's shout heard on the day of coming forth from the grave.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: fire at Moses' call
literal_form: A fire seen by Moses, approached for a brand or guide, and associated
with the divine call.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: holy valley of Towa
literal_form: The holy valley where Moses is told to remove his shoes.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: staff-serpent sign
literal_form: Moses' staff cast down and becoming a running serpent before being
restored.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: white unhurt hand
literal_form: Moses' hand placed to his arm-pit and brought forth white but unhurt
as another sign.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:8
label: ark
literal_form: An ark into which the infant Moses is cast before being placed on
the sea or river.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- ark_vessel
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:9
label: sea or river
literal_form: The water that carries the ark and throws the infant Moses onto the
shore.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:10
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: judgment dialogue and Hell's reply
summary: A companion denies leading someone astray; God rejects dispute in his presence
and declares his doom unchanged; Hell is asked whether it is full and answers
by asking for more.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Paradise brought near to the pious
summary: Paradise is brought near to those who turned to God, kept his laws, feared
him in secret, and came with a contrite heart; they are told to enter in peace.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: resurrection gathering
summary: A crier calls from a place near to all; the shout is heard, the dead come
forth from graves, the earth cleaves open, and the gathering is easy for God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Moses approaches the fire and is called
summary: Moses sees a fire, leaves his family waiting, and at the fire hears God
call him, command him to remove his shoes in the holy valley, and announce his
election.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Moses receives signs
summary: God asks about Moses' staff, commands him to cast it down, transforms it
into a serpent, restores it, and gives the sign of the white unhurt hand.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: mission to Pharaoh and request for Aaron
summary: Moses is sent to Pharaoh and asks God for ease, eloquence, and Aaron as
brotherly counsellor and colleague in the work.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:7
label: infant Moses in the ark
summary: God recalls instructing Moses' mother to cast him into an ark on the water;
the water brings him to shore where an enemy takes him up; his sister directs
others to a nurse, and he is returned to his mother.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: scene:8
label: later trials and renewed mission
summary: God recalls Moses' deliverance after killing a person, his trials, his
years among the people of Midian, and then commands Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh
with gentle speech.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine judgment with recompense
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage depicts divine judgment, unchangeable doom, Hell, Paradise, and
recompense for each soul's labours.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The extraction records only the judgment imagery in this passage, not
a full eschatological system.
- id: motif:2
label: resurrection from the grave
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
basis: The passage states that people will hear the shout on the day of coming forth
from the grave and that the earth will cleave over the dead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: ''
- id: motif:3
label: personified insatiable Hell
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Hell is spoken to and replies by asking whether there are more, suggesting
a personified place of punishment within the judgment scene.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif label interprets the speech of Hell; the passage itself gives
the direct personification without extended explanation.
- id: motif:4
label: prophetic call at a sacred fire
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: Moses approaches a fire seeking a brand or guide and there receives the divine
call, removal-of-shoes command, and election.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy has no specific 'prophetic call' family; 'initiation'
is used cautiously for the commissioning scene.
- id: motif:5
label: miraculous serpent sign
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: Moses' staff becomes a serpent and is restored as one of the signs shown
before his mission to Pharaoh.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The serpent is a transformed staff, not an independent serpent figure.
- id: motif:6
label: infant rescue in ark on water
taxonomy_refs:
- ark_vessel
basis: The infant Moses is placed in an ark, cast onto the sea or river, carried
to shore, and later returned to his mother.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage says 'sea [the river]' in the translation note, so the precise
body of water is translator-marked.
- id: motif:7
label: brotherly helper in sacred mission
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
basis: Moses asks for Aaron his brother to be his counsellor and colleague, and
both are later commanded to go to Pharaoh.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The sibling-pair taxonomy is applied to the mission partnership, not to
a twin or origin-pair structure.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Rodwell's note explicitly compares Hell's question about whether there are
more with biblical and rabbinic imagery of Sheol or the Prince of Hell demanding
or enlarging for more.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Proverbs 30:15 and Othioth Derabbi Akiba 8:1 as cited in Rodwell's footnote
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:12
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This comparison comes from the translator's note rather than the Qur'anic
passage alone; it supports a cautious motif-level comparison, not a claim of historical
dependence.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, opening judgment dialogue
quote_or_summary: A figure at the side denies leading someone astray; God forbids
wrangling, says prior warnings were given, and states that his doom does not change
and he is not unjust.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 5790-5982, Hell addressed
quote_or_summary: "“On that day will we cry to Hell, ‘Art thou full?’ And it shall
say, ‘Are there more?’”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; short excerpt.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, Paradise and the pious
quote_or_summary: Paradise is brought near to the pious; those who turned in penitence,
kept God's laws, feared the God of Mercy in secret, and came with a contrite heart
are told to enter in peace.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, creation in six days
quote_or_summary: God created the heavens, earth, and what is between them in six
days, and no weariness touched him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, crier and graves
quote_or_summary: A crier will cry from a place near to all; people will hear the
shout on the day of coming forth from the grave, and the earth will cleave open
over the dead for gathering.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, opening of Sura XX
quote_or_summary: The Koran is sent as warning; it comes from the maker of earth
and lofty heavens; the God of Mercy sits on his throne and knows secret and hidden
speech.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, Moses at the fire
quote_or_summary: Moses sees a fire, tells his family to tarry, approaches it for
a brand or guide, and is called by God, who tells him to remove his shoes in the
holy valley of Towa and says he has been chosen.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, staff and hand signs
quote_or_summary: God asks what is in Moses' right hand; Moses identifies his staff;
God commands him to cast it down, and it becomes a running serpent. God also gives
the sign of the white but unhurt hand.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, mission and Aaron request
quote_or_summary: Moses is told to go to Pharaoh; he asks God to enlarge his breast,
ease his work, loosen his tongue, and give Aaron his brother as counsellor and
colleague.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, infant Moses recalled
quote_or_summary: God recalls telling Moses' mother to cast him into an ark and
onto the sea or river, which would throw him onto shore; an enemy would take him
up; his sister identifies a nurse, and he is returned to his mother.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 5790-5982, later trials and gentle speech
quote_or_summary: God recalls delivering Moses after he killed a person, trying
him with other trials, his years among Midian, and then commands Moses and Aaron
to go to Pharaoh with signs and gentle speech.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text.
- id: ev:12
type: note
locator: lines 5790-5982, Rodwell footnote 7
quote_or_summary: Rodwell notes that Hell's reply may be compared with Proverbs
30:15 and a rabbinic passage in which the Prince of Hell says daily, 'Give me
food enough,' and Sheol enlarges itself.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; note summarized with brief embedded phrase.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal extraction is strong because the passage is explicit. Motif assignments
are mostly direct, but some labels such as initiation and sibling-pair are cautious
uses of the available taxonomy. The comparison claim relies on Rodwell's footnote
rather than the primary narrative.
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: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No figures, objects, or comparisons were added beyond the supplied passage and its notes. Taxonomy references were limited to the provided available taxonomy where directly or cautiously supported.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l5790-l5982
passage_sha256=716d130f19eea6651d2af8a1c4dc62fb9a65498ec4fb831841bd824000490634