batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l19369-l19466
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l19369-l19466
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER X. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XI. / IN THE
NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 19369-19466
start: '19369'
end: '19466'
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: "“his throne was above the waters before the creation thereof”"
summary: The opening of Chapter XI presents the book as a guarded and explained
revelation from the wise, knowing God. It commands exclusive service to God, repentance,
and patience; warns of return, resurrection, and unavoidable punishment; describes
God’s omniscience, providence, creation, and pre-creation throne over the waters;
addresses objections to the messenger; and challenges opponents to produce ten
comparable chapters.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage describes the book as guarded against corruption, distinctly explained,
and revealed from the wise, knowing God.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The addressees are told to serve no deity except God, ask pardon, and turn
to him; reward and punishment are announced.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: God is said to know what people conceal and disclose, including the innermost
parts of their breasts.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: God is said to provide food for every creature that creeps on the earth and
to know each creature’s retreat and where it is laid up.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The passage states that all this is written in the perspicuous book of divine
decrees.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: God is said to have created the heavens and earth in six days, while his throne
was above the waters before that creation, in order to test human works.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The passage says people will be raised after death, and that unbelievers call
this manifest sorcery.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: A delayed punishment is described as arriving on a day when none can avert
it, encompassing those who scoffed at it.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Human beings are described as becoming desperate and ungrateful when mercy
is removed, and joyful and insolent when favor follows affliction; patient righteous
people are excepted.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The addressed preacher is cautioned not to omit any revelation because opponents
demand a treasure or an accompanying angel.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Opponents who say the Koran is forged are challenged to bring ten like chapters
and call any helpers except God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God / LORD
description: The wise, knowing God who reveals the book, commands exclusive service,
grants provision and reward, knows hidden things, provides for creatures, creates
heavens and earth, tests works, and governs all things.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Addressed preacher
description: A speaker or messenger addressed as one who denounces threats, bears
good tidings, receives revelation, and is a preacher only.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Unbelievers and scoffers
description: Those who call resurrection manifest sorcery, ask why punishment is
hindered, scoff at it, demand treasure or an angel, and claim the Koran is forged.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Man / human beings
description: Humans who taste mercy, loss, favor, and affliction, and who are tested
as to which excel in works.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Those who persevere with patience and do right
description: People excepted from the negative human reactions and promised pardon
and a great reward.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Every creature that creeps on the earth
description: Creatures for whom God provides food and whose retreat and place of
being laid up God knows.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
roles:
- id: role:1
label: revealer, creator, provider, knower, judge, and governor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is described as revealing the book, creating heavens and earth, providing
for creatures, knowing hidden things, rewarding and punishing, and governing all
things.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: role:2
label: preacher and bearer of warning and good tidings
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The addressed figure is associated with denunciation of threats, good tidings,
revelation, and being a preacher only.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: role:3
label: unbelieving challengers and scoffers
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They reject resurrection as sorcery, scoff at punishment, demand signs, and
allege forgery.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: tested moral agents
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: The creation is said to test who excels in works, while patient righteous
people receive pardon and reward.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:5
label: creatures under divine providence
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Every creeping creature is said to receive food from God and to be known
by God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: guarded and explained book
literal_form: the book / Koran, whose verses are guarded and distinctly explained
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: perspicuous book of decrees
literal_form: a book in which the whole is written
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: throne above the waters
literal_form: God’s throne above the waters before creation of heavens and earth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:9
- id: sym:4
label: folded breasts and garments
literal_form: people doubling the folds of their breasts and covering themselves
with garments
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: treasure or angel as demanded sign
literal_form: a treasure sent down or an angel accompanying the preacher
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: ten comparable chapters
literal_form: ten chapters like the Koran, proposed as a challenge to opponents
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Revelation, command, and warning
summary: The book is identified as revelation from God, and the addressees are told
to serve only God, seek pardon, and turn to him; reward and punishment are announced.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Concealment fails before divine knowledge
summary: People attempt or imagine concealment through folded breasts and garments,
but God is said to know what is concealed and disclosed.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Providence and decree
summary: God provides for every creeping creature and knows its places, and the
whole is written in a perspicuous book of decrees.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Creation and testing
summary: God creates the heavens and earth in six days; his throne is described
as above the waters before creation, and the creation serves to test human works.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Resurrection denied and judgment delayed
summary: The preacher’s assertion of being raised after death is rejected by unbelievers
as sorcery, while delayed punishment is described as unavoidable when its day
comes.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Human reactions to mercy and affliction
summary: Human beings react negatively to the withdrawal of mercy and arrogantly
to relief after affliction, except for those who persevere patiently and do right.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Objections to the preacher and challenge to imitate the Koran
summary: The preacher is cautioned not to suppress revelation because opponents
demand a treasure or angel, and those alleging forgery are challenged to produce
ten comparable chapters.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine judgment and unavoidable punishment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage warns of punishment on a great day, return to God, and a day
when none can avert the delayed punishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not narrate the judgment scene in detail; it announces
and warns of it.
- id: motif:2
label: resurrection after death rejected by unbelievers
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
basis: The preacher says people will be raised after death, while unbelievers call
the claim manifest sorcery.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives a doctrinal assertion and rejection, not an extended
resurrection narrative.
- id: motif:3
label: pre-creation divine throne over waters
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: God’s throne is described as above the waters before creation of the heavens
and earth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: Available motif taxonomy has a water symbol but no exact listed motif
family for primordial waters or throne imagery.
- id: motif:4
label: divine omniscience of hidden intentions
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage emphasizes that concealment by garments or folded breasts cannot
hide designs from God, who knows the innermost parts of the breasts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: This is a theological motif rather than a narrative episode.
- id: motif:5
label: scriptural inimitability challenge
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Opponents who claim the Koran is forged are challenged to produce ten like
chapters and summon helpers other than God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No direct matching taxonomy family is supplied for this motif.
- id: motif:6
label: revelation as warning and good tidings
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The book is revealed from the wise, knowing God, and the addressed preacher
is connected with threats, good tidings, guidance to repentance, and reward.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference to wisdom is broad; the passage’s immediate emphasis
is revelation and admonition.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Sale’s note presents the image of God’s throne over the waters before creation
as comparable to, and allegedly borrowed from, a Jewish tradition in which the
throne of glory stood over the waters and was borne by the breath of God’s mouth.
claim_level: historical_contact
target: Jewish throne-of-glory over waters tradition cited in Sale’s note on Genesis
1:2 / Rashi
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: low
limitations: This is a translator’s explanatory note, not a demonstration within
the Qur'anic passage itself; the cited Jewish material is summarized rather than
quoted in full.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 19369-19466, opening of Chapter XI
quote_or_summary: The book’s verses are guarded and explained as revelation from
the wise, knowing God; the addressees are to serve only God, seek pardon, turn
to him, and expect reward or punishment and return to God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 19369-19466, concealment passage
quote_or_summary: People are described as folding their breasts and covering themselves
with garments to conceal designs, but God knows what they conceal, reveal, and
what lies within their breasts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 19369-19466, providence passage
quote_or_summary: No creature creeping on earth is without God’s provision; God
knows its retreat and where it is laid up, and the whole is written in the perspicuous
book of decrees.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: lines 19369-19466, creation passage
quote_or_summary: God created the heavens and earth in six days; “his throne was
above the waters before the creation thereof,” so that he might test which people
excel in works.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 19369-19466, resurrection and punishment passage
quote_or_summary: The passage states that people will be raised after death; unbelievers
call this manifest sorcery, and delayed punishment is said to come on an unavoidable
day that will encompass scoffers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 19369-19466, mercy and affliction passage
quote_or_summary: Humans are described as desperate and ungrateful when mercy is
removed, joyful and insolent when favor follows affliction, except for patient
people who do right and receive pardon and great reward.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 19369-19466, preacher and demanded signs passage
quote_or_summary: The addressed preacher is warned not to omit revelation out of
concern that opponents will demand a sent-down treasure or an angel; he is described
as a preacher only, with God as governor of all things.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 19369-19466, forgery challenge passage
quote_or_summary: Those who say the Koran is forged are challenged to bring ten
chapters like it and call any helpers they can, except God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary used.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 19369-19466, translator note c
quote_or_summary: Sale’s note says Muslims suppose the throne and waters existed
before the heavens and earth, and adds that this idea was borrowed from Jews,
who say the throne of glory stood over the waters and was borne by the breath
of God’s mouth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary of translator note used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: low
notes: Extraction is based directly on the supplied passage and notes. Motif mapping
is strongest for divine judgment, resurrection, and throne-over-waters imagery;
broader taxonomy links are kept limited. The comparison claim relies only on Sale’s
note and needs 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: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Only supplied passage text, metadata, and available taxonomy references were used.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l19369-l19466
passage_sha256=d00b2f917cb07124943b2566e0f22da3fb1a31c6161c024777ea11a8beef9ff9