batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l6133-l6277
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l6133-l6277
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 6133-6277
start: '6133'
end: '6277'
translation: The Koran (Al-Qur'an)
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage recounts questioning of Aaron and Samiri after the making of
the calf, Samiri's explanation involving dust from the messenger's track, and
the announced destruction of the calf. It then presents admonition about resurrection,
judgment, the trumpet, the leveling of mountains, intercession, righteous believers,
and divine knowledge. The passage also recounts the covenant with Adam, the angels'
prostration, Eblis's refusal, Satan's temptation through the tree of Eternity,
Adam and his wife eating from it, their exposure and covering with leaves, Adam's
later selection and guidance, descent from the garden, and later warnings about
guidance, blindness at resurrection, destroyed generations, prayer, provision,
signs, and awaiting the end.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A speaker questions Aaron about why he did not follow after seeing the people
had gone astray.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Aaron asks not to be seized by beard or head and says he feared being accused
of dividing the children of Israel.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Samiri says he saw what others did not, took dust from the messenger of God's
track, and flung it into the calf.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Samiri is told his life-doom will be to say, 'Touch me not.'
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The calf or god to which devotion had been given is to be burned, reduced
to ashes, and cast into the sea.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The passage declares that God is the only God and that his knowledge embraces
all things.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Those who turn aside from the admonition carry a burden on the day of Resurrection.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: On the day described, a trumpet blast occurs and the wicked are gathered with
leaden eyes.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The mountains are to be scattered into dust and left as a level plain without
hollows or hills.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: On that day people follow a summoner, voices are low before the God of Mercy,
and intercession avails only by divine permission.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: The passage says a righteous believing person will fear neither wrong nor
loss.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: The passage says God made a covenant with Adam, but Adam forgot it and lacked
firmness of purpose.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: The angels are commanded to worship Adam; all do so except Eblis, who refuses.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: Adam is warned that the refusing figure is a foe to him and his wife and may
drive them out of the garden.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: Satan whispers to Adam and offers to show him the tree of Eternity and a kingdom
that does not fail.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:16
text: Adam and his wife both eat from the tree; their nakedness appears, and they
sew leaves of the garden to cover themselves.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:17
text: Adam disobeys his Lord and goes astray, but afterward his Lord chooses, turns
toward, and guides him.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:18
text: The passage says the inhabitants are sent down, with enmity among them, and
future guidance is promised.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:19
text: Those who turn away from divine monition are described as having a life of
misery and being assembled blind on the day of Resurrection.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:20
text: The passage tells the addressee to praise the Lord at specified times and
to enjoin prayer on the family.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: unnamed speaker addressing Aaron and Samiri
description: A speaker asks Aaron about not following and asks Samiri his motive,
then announces Samiri's doom and the destruction of the calf.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Aaron
description: Addressed by name and defends his conduct by saying he feared dividing
the children of Israel.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: children of Israel
description: The group Aaron feared would be rent asunder.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Samiri
description: Addressed by name; explains that he took dust from the messenger's
track and put it into the calf.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: messenger of God
description: A figure whose track supplied the dust Samiri says he took.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: God / God of Mercy / Lord
description: Described as the only God, all-knowing, giver of admonition, judge,
guide, and provider.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: the wicked
description: Those gathered on the trumpet day with leaden eyes.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: summoner
description: A figure whom people follow on the day of judgment.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: permitted intercessor
description: An intercessor whose intercession avails only if allowed and approved
by the God of Mercy.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: righteous believer
description: A person who does right and believes, and who will fear neither wrong
nor loss.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Adam
description: Receives a covenant, forgets it, is honored by angelic worship, is
tempted, eats, disobeys, is chosen, and is guided.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: angels
description: Commanded to worship Adam and said to have worshipped, except for Eblis.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Eblis
description: The exception among those commanded to worship Adam; he refuses.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Adam's wife
description: Named as Adam's wife, warned with him, eats with him, and covers nakedness
with garden leaves.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Satan
description: Whispers to Adam and offers to show him the tree of Eternity and unfailing
kingdom.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: questioning authority
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The speaker questions Aaron and Samiri and pronounces doom and idol destruction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: accused community guardian
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Aaron explains that his restraint was motivated by fear of dividing the children
of Israel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: calf-maker or calf-animating agent
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Samiri says he put dust from the messenger's track into the calf, prompted
by his soul.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: sole deity, judge, revealer, and guide
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: God is declared the only God, all-knowing, source of admonition, judge at
resurrection, and giver of guidance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: role:5
label: eschatologically gathered wrongdoers
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The wicked are gathered on the trumpet day with leaden eyes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: secure righteous believer
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The righteous believer is said to fear neither wrong nor loss.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: covenant recipient, transgressor, and guided figure
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Adam receives and forgets a covenant, eats after temptation, disobeys, and
is later chosen and guided.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:8
label: adversarial or tempting figure
assigned_to:
- fig:13
- fig:15
basis: Eblis refuses the commanded worship, and Satan whispers the offer of the
tree of Eternity to Adam.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:9
label: obedient worshippers
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The angels worship Adam when commanded, except for Eblis.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: garden companion
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: Adam's wife is warned along with Adam and eats and covers herself with him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: calf idol
literal_form: calf referred to as a god receiving devotion
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: dust from the messenger's track
literal_form: handful of dust from the track of the messenger of God
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: ashes cast into the sea
literal_form: burned idol reduced to ashes and cast into the sea
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: burden on resurrection day
literal_form: burden carried by those who turn aside
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: trumpet blast
literal_form: blast on the trumpet on the day of gathering
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: scattered mountains and level plain
literal_form: mountains scattered into dust and replaced by a level plain
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: low voices and light footfall
literal_form: hushed voices before the God of Mercy and only light footfall heard
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: Arabic Koran as admonition
literal_form: Arabic Koran with diversified menaces meant to produce fear or reflection
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:9
label: tree of Eternity
literal_form: tree of Eternity offered by Satan to Adam
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:15
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:10
label: garden leaves covering nakedness
literal_form: leaves of the Garden sewn to cover nakedness
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:14
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:11
label: blind assembly at resurrection
literal_form: being assembled blind on the day of Resurrection
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:12
label: appointed times of praise and prayer
literal_form: praise before sunrise, before sunset, during the night, at extremes
of the day, and prayer enjoined on family
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Aaron questioned after communal straying
summary: A speaker asks Aaron why he did not follow after the people went astray;
Aaron replies that he feared being blamed for dividing the children of Israel.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Samiri explains the calf and receives doom
summary: Samiri explains that he took dust from the messenger's track and put it
into the calf; he is told to depart with the doom of saying 'Touch me not,' and
the calf is to be burned, reduced to ashes, and cast into the sea.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Resurrection gathering and judgment landscape
summary: 'The passage describes the day of Resurrection: burdens, trumpet blast,
gathering of the wicked, scattered mountains, a level plain, following the summoner,
low voices, limited intercession, and security for the righteous believer.'
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Adam's covenant, angelic worship, and warning
summary: God recalls a covenant with Adam, the angels are commanded to worship Adam,
Eblis refuses, and Adam is warned that the foe may drive him and his wife out
of the garden.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:5
label: Temptation, eating, exposure, and covering
summary: Satan offers Adam the tree of Eternity and an unfailing kingdom; Adam and
his wife eat, become aware of nakedness, cover themselves with leaves, and Adam
disobeys and goes astray.
figure_refs:
- fig:11
- fig:14
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:6
label: Guidance after descent and warning of blindness
summary: Adam is chosen and guided; all are sent down with enmity, future guidance
is promised, and those who forget divine signs are warned of misery and blind
assembly at resurrection.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: scene:7
label: Admonition to praise, prayer, and awaiting the end
summary: The addressee is instructed to bear opposition, praise the Lord at appointed
times, avoid longing for worldly braveries, enjoin family prayer, and await the
end.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: idol made through sacred trace and then destroyed
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Samiri's calf is associated with dust from the messenger's track, then the
calf is burned, reduced to ashes, and cast into the sea.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not specify the mechanism by which the dust affects the
calf beyond Samiri's statement that he flung it into it.
- id: motif:2
label: social exile through touch taboo
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Samiri's life-doom is expressed as the saying 'Touch me not.'
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives the phrase as a doom but does not elaborate the social
or ritual conditions of the prohibition.
- id: motif:3
label: resurrection gathering and judgment
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage repeatedly names the day of Resurrection, burden-bearing, trumpet
blast, gathered wicked, intercession by permission, and recompense for transgression.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:11
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives selected judgment images rather than a full narrative
chronology.
- id: motif:4
label: afterlife terrain and procession
taxonomy_refs:
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: The mountains are leveled, people follow a summoner, voices become low, and
intercession is regulated on the judgment day.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The text describes an eschatological scene and movement, but not an individual's
extended journey through afterlife regions.
- id: motif:5
label: divine admonition producing reflection
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The Arabic Koran is described as sent down with varied menaces so that people
may fear God or reflect, and the speaker is told to ask for increased knowledge.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The wisdom motif is general; the passage frames knowledge and reflection
as devotional admonition rather than as a separate wisdom tale.
- id: motif:6
label: forgotten covenant with Adam
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: The passage explicitly states that a covenant was made with Adam and that
he forgot it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The covenant's content is not detailed in this excerpt.
- id: motif:7
label: refusal of commanded homage
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The angels are commanded to worship Adam; all do so except Eblis, who refuses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not expand Eblis's stated rationale within this excerpt.
- id: motif:8
label: temptation by forbidden tree and loss of garden condition
taxonomy_refs:
- forbidden_knowledge
- departure
basis: Satan offers Adam the tree of Eternity and unfailing kingdom; Adam and his
wife eat, their nakedness appears, and Adam disobeys, followed by descent from
the garden context.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage calls it the tree of Eternity, not explicitly a tree of knowledge;
the link to forbidden knowledge is based on the forbidden-tree temptation pattern,
so human review is needed.
- id: motif:9
label: guidance after transgression
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After Adam's disobedience, his Lord chooses him, turns toward him, and guides
him; future guidance is promised to those sent down.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not describe a ritual or narrative process of repentance
beyond divine choosing, turning, and guidance.
- id: motif:10
label: blindness as recompense for forgetting signs
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Those who turn away from divine monition are assembled blind on the day of
Resurrection because they forgot divine signs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: high
cautions: The blindness is eschatological in this passage; the text does not discuss
physical blindness in earthly life.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: lines 6133-6277; Aaron questioned section
quote_or_summary: Aaron is asked why he did not follow after the people went astray;
he replies, 'seize me not by my beard, nor by my head,' and says he feared dividing
the children of Israel.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 6133-6277; Samiri explanation section
quote_or_summary: 'Samiri says: ''I saw what they saw not,'' took ''a handful of
dust from the track of the messenger of God,'' and flung it into the calf.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: lines 6133-6277; Samiri doom and calf destruction section
quote_or_summary: Samiri is told his doom is to say 'Touch me not'; the calf-god
will be burned, reduced to ashes, and cast into the sea.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: lines 6133-6277; divine declaration section
quote_or_summary: "'Your God is God, beside whom there is no God: In his knowledge
he embraceth all things.'"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 6133-6277; resurrection burden and trumpet section
quote_or_summary: Those who turn aside carry a burden on the day of Resurrection;
on that day a trumpet blast occurs and the wicked are gathered with leaden eyes.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6133-6277; mountains, summoner, and intercession section
quote_or_summary: The mountains are scattered into dust and left a level plain;
people follow a summoner, voices are low before the God of Mercy, and intercession
only avails by divine permission.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 6133-6277; righteous believer and admonition section
quote_or_summary: The righteous believer fears neither wrong nor loss; the Arabic
Koran is sent down with varied menaces for fear of God and reflection, and the
addressee is told to ask for increased knowledge.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 6133-6277; Adam covenant and angelic worship section
quote_or_summary: God made a covenant with Adam, but Adam forgot; the angels were
told to worship Adam, all did so except Eblis, and Adam and his wife were warned
about a foe and the garden.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: lines 6133-6277; Satan and tree section
quote_or_summary: Satan offers to show Adam 'the tree of Eternity' and an unfailing
kingdom; Adam and his wife eat, their nakedness appears, and they sew garden leaves
to cover themselves.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used for evidence.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 6133-6277; Adam chosen and descent section
quote_or_summary: After Adam disobeys and goes astray, his Lord chooses, turns toward,
and guides him; all are told to go down, with future guidance promised.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 6133-6277; monition and blindness section
quote_or_summary: Whoever turns away from divine monition has a life of misery and
is assembled blind on the day of Resurrection because divine signs were forgotten.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 6133-6277; praise, prayer, signs, and end section
quote_or_summary: The addressee is instructed to praise the Lord before sunrise,
before sunset, at night, and at the extremes of the day; to enjoin prayer on the
family; and to await the end.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strong for named scenes and repeated motifs. Some motif-family
mappings, especially forbidden_knowledge and afterlife_journey_map, require human
review because the excerpt uses its own theological vocabulary and does not explicitly
frame those taxonomy labels.
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 comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not make an explicit cross-textual or cross-tradition comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l6133-l6277
passage_sha256=f23a1afe4077eed5b40bb5b57cb28c5435b13de5e5fc275bcd125a22610bd457