batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l21590-l21683
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l21590-l21683
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XIV. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XV. / IN THE
NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 21590-21683
start: '21590'
end: '21683'
translation: The Koran (Al-Qur'an), Sale translation
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Commentary describes falling stars as darts cast by guardian angels at
devils. The passage describes punishment with seven gates, reward for the God-fearing
in gardens with fountains, and God's mercy and punishment. It then recounts Abraham's
guests announcing a wise son, the messengers' mission to destroy a wicked people
while saving Lot's family except his wife, Lot's night departure command, the
city's hostility toward his guests, and the city's destruction by a storm from
heaven, inversion, and stones of baked clay.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A commentary note says falling or shooting stars are supposed to be darts
thrown by angels guarding the constellations at devils who come too near.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: A place of punishment is described as having seven gates, with a distinct
company assigned to each gate.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Those who fear God are said to dwell in gardens amid fountains, enter in peace
and security, have grudges removed from their breasts, sit as brethren on couches,
and not be expelled.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: God is described as gracious and merciful, and God's punishment is described
as grievous.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Abraham's guests greet him with peace; Abraham says he is afraid of them.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The guests tell Abraham not to fear and announce the promise of a wise son,
despite Abraham's old age.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: The messengers say they have been sent to destroy a wicked people, but to
save the family of Lot except his wife, who is decreed to remain behind.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: The messengers instruct Lot to lead his family away during part of the night,
to follow behind them, and to let none turn back.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: The inhabitants of the city come rejoicing at the arrival of strangers; Lot
identifies the strangers as his guests and asks the inhabitants not to disgrace
him by abusing them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: Lot offers his daughters as an alternative if the inhabitants are resolved
to act on their purpose.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: At sunrise a terrible storm from heaven assails the people, the city is turned
upside down, and stones of baked clay are rained on them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:12
text: The destruction of the cities is presented as a sign for perceptive people
and true believers.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Angels guarding the constellations
description: Angels who keep guard in the constellations and dart falling stars
at devils who approach too near.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Devils approaching the constellations
description: Devils who approach too near and are targeted by falling or shooting
stars according to the commentary note.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: God
description: The divine speaker associated with mercy, punishment, decree, saving,
and destruction.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Those assigned to the seven gates
description: Distinct companies assigned to the seven gates of the place of punishment.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Those who fear God
description: People who dwell in gardens amid fountains and enter in peace and security.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Abraham
description: Recipient of the guests who initially fears them and questions the
announcement of a son in his old age.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Abraham's guests / messengers of God
description: Visitors who greet Abraham, announce a wise son, and later identify
themselves as messengers sent to destroy a wicked people and save Lot's family.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Promised wise son
description: A wise son promised to Abraham despite Abraham's old age.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Lot
description: A figure visited by the messengers, instructed to lead his family away
at night, and shown protecting his guests from the inhabitants of the city.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Family of Lot
description: Lot's family, whom the messengers say will be saved except for his
wife.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Lot's wife
description: The exception from Lot's family, decreed to remain behind and be destroyed
with the infidels.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Inhabitants of the city / wicked people
description: The people targeted for destruction; they come rejoicing at the strangers'
arrival and challenge Lot's protection of guests.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Lot's daughters
description: Lot names his daughters as an alternative for the inhabitants if they
are resolved to do what they purpose.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: celestial guardians
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: They keep guard in the constellations and repel devils with falling stars.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: hostile boundary-crossers
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They approach too near to the guarded constellations.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: merciful judge and punisher
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: God is called gracious and merciful while punishment is grievous; God decrees
saving and destruction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: role:4
label: condemned companies
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: They are assigned to distinct gates of punishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: blessed dwellers
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: They enter gardens with fountains in peace and security and remain there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: aged recipient of birth announcement
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Abraham questions the promise of a son after old age has overtaken him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: birth-announcing visitors
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: They bring Abraham the promise of a wise son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: agents of judgment and rescue
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: They are sent to destroy a wicked people and save Lot's family except his
wife.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: promised child
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The guests announce the promise of a wise son.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: host and escape leader
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Lot receives unknown visitors, protects them as guests, and is ordered to
lead his family away at night.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: rescued family group
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The messengers say Lot's family will be saved and instruct their departure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:12
label: exception left behind
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Lot's wife is decreed to remain behind and be destroyed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:13
label: doomed hostile city
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: They are described as wicked, threaten Lot's guests, and are destroyed by
storm, inversion, and stones.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:14
label: offered daughters
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Lot refers to his daughters when addressing the inhabitants' intended action.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: falling or shooting star as missile
literal_form: A falling or shooting star darted by guardian angels at devils.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: seven gates
literal_form: Seven gates of the place of punishment, each with a distinct assigned
company.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: gardens and fountains
literal_form: Gardens amid fountains where those who fear God dwell.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: couches facing one another
literal_form: Couches on which brethren sit over against one another.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: night departure
literal_form: Lot leading his family forth during part of the night, with none turning
back.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: storm from heaven
literal_form: A terrible storm from heaven assailing the people at sunrise.
associated_figures:
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:7
label: city turned upside down
literal_form: The city is turned upside down.
associated_figures:
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: stones of baked clay
literal_form: Stones of baked clay rained on the condemned people.
associated_figures:
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Celestial guardians repel devils
summary: A commentary note explains falling or shooting stars as darts thrown by
angels guarding constellations at devils who approach too near.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Contrasted afterlife destinations
summary: The passage describes seven gates for condemned companies and gardens with
fountains for those who fear God, whose grudges are removed and whose dwelling
is secure.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Abraham's guests announce a son
summary: Guests enter upon Abraham, greet him with peace, reassure him, and promise
him a wise son despite his old age.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Messengers announce judgment and Lot's rescue
summary: The messengers explain that they are sent to destroy a wicked people while
saving Lot's family except his wife, and they instruct Lot to lead his family
out by night without turning back.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Lot protects his guests from the city
summary: The inhabitants come rejoicing at the strangers' arrival; Lot asks them
not to abuse his guests or shame him, and refers to his daughters as an alternative.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Destruction of the city at sunrise
summary: A storm from heaven strikes at sunrise, the city is overturned, stones
of baked clay are rained on the people, and the event is presented as a sign.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Guarded heavens repelling devils
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The commentary note links falling stars with angels guarding constellations
and driving off devils who approach too near.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: This appears in a commentary note rather than the main translated verse
in the excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: Many-gated realm of punishment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: Punishment is organized as seven gates, each assigned to a distinct company.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not provide a journey narrative, only a mapped destination.
- id: motif:3
label: Paradisal garden reward with purified fellowship
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: Those who fear God enter gardens with fountains, peace, security, removal
of grudges, fraternal seating, and permanent dwelling.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is described as a destination and state, not as a full narrative
journey.
- id: motif:4
label: Divine mercy paired with grievous punishment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage commands declaration that God is gracious and merciful and that
God's punishment is grievous.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: This is a theological contrast rather than a narrative episode.
- id: motif:5
label: Birth announcement to an aged patriarch
taxonomy_refs:
- miraculous_child
- sacred_birth
basis: Abraham receives a promise of a wise son after saying that old age has overtaken
him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not narrate the child's birth, only the announcement.
- id: motif:6
label: Messengers bring both birth promise and destructive judgment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- miraculous_child
basis: The same guests/messengers announce a son to Abraham and then describe their
mission to destroy a wicked people while saving Lot's family.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The text identifies them as messengers but does not elaborate their nature
beyond the supplied wording.
- id: motif:7
label: Rescue of a family from a doomed city with an excluded spouse
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- departure
basis: The messengers say Lot's family will be saved except his wife, who is decreed
to remain behind, and they order a night departure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not describe the wife's actions, only her exclusion by
decree.
- id: motif:8
label: Command not to turn back during escape
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Lot is told to lead his family at night and let none of them turn back.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not narrate a violation of this command.
- id: motif:9
label: Heavenly destruction of a wicked city
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The wicked city is destroyed by a storm from heaven, inversion, and stones
of baked clay, and the destruction is treated as a sign.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: No taxonomy reference for stones or city inversion was supplied.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: A source note explicitly directs readers to another chapter for the history
of Abraham's guests, indicating an internal recurrence of this narrative episode
within the same translated corpus.
claim_level: same_motif
target: The Koran, chapter 11 account of Abraham's guests, as cited in Sale's note
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The compared chapter text is not included in the supplied passage,
so the claim is limited to the source note's cross-reference.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 21590-21593
quote_or_summary: Commentary says falling or shooting stars are supposed to be darts
thrown by angels guarding the constellations at devils who approach too near.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 21607-21608
quote_or_summary: '"it hath seven gates; unto every gate a distinct company of them
shall be assigned."'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 21609-21614
quote_or_summary: Those who fear God dwell in gardens amid fountains; angels tell
them to enter in peace and security; grudges are removed; they sit as brethren
on couches and are not cast out.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: lines 21615-21616
quote_or_summary: '"Declare unto my servants that I am the gracious, the merciful
God; and that my punishment is a grievous punishment."'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 21617-21625
quote_or_summary: Abraham's guests enter and say peace; Abraham says he fears them;
they tell him not to fear and promise a wise son, which Abraham questions because
of old age.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 21628-21632
quote_or_summary: The messengers say they are sent to destroy a wicked people, while
saving Lot's family except his wife, who is decreed to remain behind and be destroyed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 21633-21639
quote_or_summary: The messengers come to Lot, identify their truthful mission, and
command him to lead his family out during part of the night, follow behind them,
and let none turn back because the remnant will be cut off in the morning.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 21640-21646
quote_or_summary: The city inhabitants come rejoicing at the strangers' arrival;
Lot asks them not to disgrace him by abusing his guests, they object that he was
forbidden to protect anyone, and Lot refers to his daughters.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 21647-21653
quote_or_summary: At sunrise a terrible storm from heaven assails them; the city
is turned upside down; stones of baked clay are rained on them; the event is called
a sign for sagacious people and true believers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: note
locator: line 21656
quote_or_summary: Sale's note on Abraham's guests says to see chapter 11, page 165
and following.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Main narrative extraction is direct from the supplied passage. Motif labels
use only supplied taxonomy where applicable. The comparison claim is limited to
an explicit internal cross-reference in a note.
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 external sources were used. Interpretive claims were kept separate from literal observations.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l21590-l21683
passage_sha256=e1688553e35e8fb02911c24063712ad71b1b80e3ee26ce06be402a7f19ecd35b