batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l25159-l25240
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l25159-l25240
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XX. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XXI. / IN THE
NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 25159-25240
start: '25159'
end: '25240'
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 includes Sale's notes on Abraham being cast into Nimrod's fire
and miraculously preserved, traditions about Nimrod's attempted ascent and divine
punishment, and Qur'anic material recounting divine protection and drowning of
wicked accusers, David and Solomon's judgment and wisdom, mountains and birds
praising with David, the making of coats of mail, Solomon's command of wind and
devils, and Job's prayer amid affliction.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Abraham is said by commentators to have been bound, placed into an engine,
and shot into a fierce fire ordered by Nimrod.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Gabriel is said to have been sent to assist Abraham, and the fire burned only
the cords binding him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The fire is described as losing its heat in relation to Abraham and the pile
as changing into a pleasant meadow, while the fire remained destructive to others.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Sale's note states that some traditions connect the Abraham fire story with
an interpretation of 'Ur of the Chaldees' as 'fire of the Chaldees.'
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Nimrod is described as attempting to ascend to heaven by building a tower
and later by being carried in a chest borne by four monstrous birds.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Nimrod is described as falling onto a mountain with enough force to make it
shake.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: God is said to divide Nimrod's subjects, confound their language, and plague
Nimrod's adherents with gnats.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: A gnat is described as entering Nimrod's nostril or ear, reaching a membrane
of his brain, and causing prolonged pain relieved only by having his head beaten
with a mallet.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The Qur'anic passage states that God protected an unnamed male figure from
people who accused divine signs of falsehood and drowned those wicked people.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: David and Solomon are remembered for judging a case about sheep that fed at
night in a field without a shepherd.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Understanding of the judgment is given to Solomon, and wisdom and knowledge
are bestowed on David and Solomon.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Mountains and birds are compelled to praise God with David.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: David is taught the art of making coats of mail for defense in war.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: A strong wind is subjected to Solomon and runs at his command to a blessed
land.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: Devils are subjected to Solomon to dive for pearls and perform other work
while God watches over them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:16
text: Job cries to his Lord that evil has afflicted him and addresses God as most
merciful.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Abraham
description: A religious figure whom commentators say Nimrod had bound and cast
into fire; he is preserved from the fire.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Nimrod
description: A ruler ordering Abraham's burning, later described as attempting ascent
to heaven, making war against God, and being punished by gnats.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Gabriel
description: An angel said to be sent to Abraham's assistance in the fire.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: God
description: Divine agent who protects, bestows wisdom and knowledge, subjects wind
and devils to Solomon, and is invoked by Job as merciful.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Idolaters
description: People whom some writers say were consumed by the fire that did not
harm Abraham.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Unnamed protected male figure
description: A male figure protected from people who accused divine signs of falsehood.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: People who accused divine signs of falsehood
description: A wicked people from whom the unnamed figure is protected and whom
God drowns.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: David
description: A figure associated with judgment, wisdom and knowledge, praise with
mountains and birds, and instruction in making coats of mail.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Solomon
description: A figure given understanding of judgment, wisdom and knowledge, and
command over wind and devils.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Job
description: An afflicted figure who prays to his Lord for mercy.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Devils under Solomon's command
description: Beings subjected to Solomon to dive for pearls and perform other work.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divinely protected figure
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:6
basis: Abraham is preserved from the fire; the unnamed figure is protected from
wicked accusers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: persecuting ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Nimrod orders the enclosure and fire into which Abraham is cast.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: failed heaven-stormer and punished rebel
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Nimrod attempts ascent to heaven, turns arms against Abraham and God, and
is punished through language-confounding, gnats, and bodily torment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: angelic rescuer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Gabriel is sent to Abraham's assistance in the fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: divine judge and benefactor
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: God protects, punishes, bestows wisdom and knowledge, grants command over
wind and devils, and is invoked for mercy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:6
label: wicked or opposing people
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:7
basis: Idolaters are consumed by fire; the accusers of signs are described as wicked
and drowned.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: wise judge
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: David and Solomon pronounce judgment about the field, and Solomon receives
understanding of it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: sacred artisan and praise leader
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: David is associated with mountains and birds praising God and is taught to
make coats of mail.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: king commanding natural and demonic forces
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: A strong wind and devils are subjected to Solomon's command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: afflicted supplicant
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Job says evil has afflicted him and prays to his merciful Lord.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: subordinated spirit-workers
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The devils dive for pearls and perform work for Solomon under divine oversight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fire of trial and deliverance
literal_form: fierce fire into which Abraham is cast
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: burned cords
literal_form: cords binding Abraham, burned by the fire while Abraham is preserved
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: miraculous meadow
literal_form: pleasant meadow replacing the fire-pile in relation to Abraham
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: tower of attempted ascent
literal_form: tower built by Nimrod to ascend to heaven
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: chest borne by birds
literal_form: chest carried by four monstrous birds
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: shaking mountain
literal_form: mountain struck by Nimrod's fall
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:7
label: gnat punishment
literal_form: gnats, including one that enters Nimrod's nostril or ear and reaches
his brain
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:8
label: drowning of wicked people
literal_form: waters or drowning by which the wicked people are destroyed
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:9
label: mountains and birds praising
literal_form: mountains and birds compelled to praise God with David
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:10
label: coats of mail
literal_form: coats of mail taught to David for defense in war
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:11
label: commanded wind
literal_form: strong wind running at Solomon's command
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:12
label: pearls from diving devils
literal_form: pearls obtained by devils diving for Solomon
associated_figures:
- fig:9
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Abraham cast into fire and preserved
summary: Nimrod has Abraham bound and launched into a great fire; Gabriel assists
him, and the fire harms only his bonds while later tradition says the fire becomes
harmless to him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Sale's comparative note on the Abraham fire tradition
summary: The note links the Abraham fire story to an interpretation of 'Ur of the
Chaldees' and says the tale is also credited among Jews and several eastern Christians.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Nimrod's failed ascent and punishment
summary: Nimrod tries to reach heaven by tower and bird-borne chest, falls onto
a mountain, opposes Abraham and God, loses subjects through language confounding,
and suffers gnat torment.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Protection and drowning of wicked accusers
summary: God protects an unnamed male figure from people who accuse divine signs
of falsehood and drowns those wicked people.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: David and Solomon judge the field case
summary: David and Solomon judge a case involving sheep that fed by night in a field,
and Solomon is given understanding while both receive wisdom and knowledge.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: David's praise and martial craft
summary: Mountains and birds praise God with David, and David is taught to make
coats of mail for protection in war.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Solomon commands wind and devils
summary: A strong wind runs at Solomon's command to a blessed land, and devils under
his command dive for pearls and do other work under divine oversight.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:9
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:11
- sym:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:8
label: Job's cry in affliction
summary: Job, afflicted by evil, calls on his Lord as the most merciful of those
who show mercy.
figure_refs:
- fig:10
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine deliverance from fire
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Abraham is cast into a destructive fire but is preserved with angelic assistance;
the fire burns only his cords and becomes harmless to him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy has a fire symbol but no exact 'trial by fire' motif family;
divine_judgment is a broader fit.
- id: motif:2
label: failed ascent to heaven by rebellious ruler
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
- divine_judgment
basis: Nimrod builds a tower and uses a bird-borne chest to ascend to heaven, then
fails and is punished.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames the ascent as aggression toward God; the broader ascent
motif is present but negative and failed.
- id: motif:3
label: confounding of language and dispersal of a ruler's people
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: God divides Nimrod's subjects and confounds their language, depriving him
of much of his people.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage mentions the language-confounding briefly within a note on
Nimrod rather than as a full narrative.
- id: motif:4
label: the mighty punished by a small creature
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Nimrod, who boasted of lordship, is punished by gnats, including one that
causes long torment inside his head.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: No exact taxonomy family for small-creature punishment is supplied; divine_judgment
is the relevant broad family.
- id: motif:5
label: drowning of wicked accusers after divine protection
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- flood_and_renewal
basis: God protects a figure from people who deny divine signs and drowns those
wicked people.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage mentions drowning but does not describe renewal; flood_and_renewal
is only partially supported.
- id: motif:6
label: wise royal judgment
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
- royal_legitimacy
basis: David and Solomon judge the field case; Solomon receives understanding, and
both receive wisdom and knowledge.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: Royal status is not explicitly emphasized in this passage segment, though
David and Solomon are named figures.
- id: motif:7
label: nature and animals joined in sacred praise
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Mountains and birds are compelled to praise God with David.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: No exact supplied motif family covers cosmic or natural praise; taxonomy_refs
are left empty.
- id: motif:8
label: divinely granted command over wind and spirits
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: A strong wind and devils are subjected to Solomon's command to travel, dive
for pearls, and perform work.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: Royal_legitimacy is a broad fit; the passage emphasizes divine subjection
of forces rather than formal legitimation.
- id: motif:9
label: afflicted righteous supplicant appeals to divine mercy
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Job cries to his Lord that evil has afflicted him and invokes divine mercy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage only gives the opening appeal and not the full resolution
of Job's suffering.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The note explicitly says the Abraham-in-fire story was explained by some
through an interpretation of Genesis's 'Ur of the Chaldees' as 'fire of the Chaldees.'
claim_level: linguistic_similarity
target: Genesis reference to Ur of the Chaldees as discussed in Sale's note
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: This is Sale's reported explanation of the tradition, not an independently
established historical origin.
- id: claim:2
claim: The note states that the Abraham fire tale was credited not only by Jews
but also by several eastern Christians.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Jewish and eastern Christian Abraham fire traditions reported by Sale
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage reports reception across communities but does not provide
full parallel texts.
- id: claim:3
claim: The note connects Nimrod's mountain-shaking fall to a Qur'anic passage about
contrivances making mountains tremble.
claim_level: same_function
target: Qur'anic allusion cited by Sale to mountain-trembling contrivances
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The note says 'as some fancy,' so the allusion is presented as uncertain.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 25159-25166
quote_or_summary: Commentators say Nimrod ordered a large space filled with wood
and set on fire; Abraham was bound, launched into the fire, and preserved by Gabriel,
with only his cords burned.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 25166-25171
quote_or_summary: The fire is said to have lost heat with respect to Abraham, becoming
odoriferous air and a pleasant meadow, while still consuming some idolaters according
to some writers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 25172-25184
quote_or_summary: Sale explains the story as possibly based on reading 'Ur of the
Chaldees' as 'fire of the Chaldees' and notes that the tale was credited among
Jews and several eastern Christians.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 25190-25201
quote_or_summary: Nimrod is said to have considered offering to Abraham's God, then
relapsed, built a tower to ascend to heaven, tried a chest borne by four monstrous
birds, wandered through the air, and fell onto a mountain that shook.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 25202-25214
quote_or_summary: After Nimrod turns arms against Abraham and God, God divides his
subjects, confounds their language, sends gnats against his adherents, and punishes
Nimrod with a gnat in his nostril or ear that causes long torment.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: lines 25229-25230
quote_or_summary: '"we protected him from the people who accused our signs of falsehood;
... we drowned them all."'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 25231-25237
quote_or_summary: David and Solomon judge a field damaged by unshepherded sheep;
Solomon receives understanding; both receive wisdom and knowledge; mountains and
birds praise with David; David is taught to make coats of mail.
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 25238-25240
quote_or_summary: A strong wind is subjected to Solomon and travels at his command;
devils are subjected to dive for pearls and do other work while God watches over
them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: line 25240
quote_or_summary: 'Job cries to his Lord: "Verily evil hath afflicted me: but thou
art the most merciful of those who show mercy."'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The extraction is based only on the provided line range. Some Qur'anic pronouns
refer to context outside the supplied passage, so the protected male figure is
left unnamed. Sale's notes mix Qur'anic text, commentary, and comparative claims;
these are kept as reported claims rather than independent historical conclusions.
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 taxonomy IDs beyond the supplied motif families and symbols were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l25159-l25240
passage_sha256=fc0fee9f0867006b5420c26c76f1d6013612ae0f161d001e0b4f7e8f59aa08e0