batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l28211-l28268
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l28211-l28268
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XXVII. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XXVIII.
/ IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 28211-28268
start: '28211'
end: '28268'
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: A daughter of Shoaib invites Moses to her father, who reassures him after
his flight from unjust people. Shoaib offers Moses marriage to one of his daughters
in exchange for eight or ten years of service, and Moses accepts the covenant.
After fulfilling the term, Moses journeys with his family toward Egypt, sees fire
by Mount Sinai, and approaches it for guidance or warmth. A divine voice calls
to him from the sacred valley and tree, commands him to cast down his rod, which
moves like a serpent, and gives him the sign of the white hand. Moses fears punishment
for a past killing and asks that Aaron be sent with him as an eloquent assistant;
God promises to strengthen them and make them conquerors through divine signs.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: One of Shoaib's daughters comes to Moses bashfully and tells him her father
calls him to recompense him for watering their sheep.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Shoaib tells Moses not to fear because he has escaped from unjust people.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: One daughter recommends that her father hire Moses, calling an able and trusty
person the best servant to hire.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Shoaib offers Moses marriage to one of his two daughters on condition that
Moses serve him for eight years, with ten years as an optional fuller term.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Moses accepts the agreement as a covenant between himself and Shoaib, with
God as witness.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: After fulfilling the term, Moses travels with his family toward Egypt and
sees fire on the side of Mount Sinai.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Moses tells his family to wait while he goes toward the fire, hoping to bring
news of the way or a brand for warmth.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: A voice calls to Moses from the right side of the valley, in the sacred bottom,
from the tree, identifying the speaker as God, Lord of all creatures.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Moses is commanded to cast down his rod; when it moves as though it were a
serpent, he retreats and flees.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: God tells Moses to draw near and not fear because he is safe.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: Moses is told to put his hand into his bosom so that it will come forth white
without hurt, and to draw back the hand he had stretched out in fear.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: The rod and hand signs are identified as two evident signs from God to Pharaoh
and his princes.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: Moses says he has slain one of Pharaoh's people and fears they will put him
to death.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:14
text: Moses asks that his brother Aaron, who is more eloquent, be sent with him
as an assistant to gain him credit.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:15
text: God promises to strengthen Moses by Aaron, give both extraordinary power,
and make them and their followers conquerors through divine signs.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: obs:16
text: A footnote identifies the daughter as Sefra or Zipporah and says Moses afterward
married her.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: obs:17
text: A footnote says Moses received the rod of the prophets from Shoaib, described
as a branch of a myrtle of paradise descended from Adam.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Moses
description: The man who watered the sheep, comes to Shoaib, agrees to serve him,
journeys toward Egypt with his family, encounters the divine voice and signs,
and asks for Aaron as assistant.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:4
- role:5
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Shoaib
description: Father of the two daughters; he calls Moses, reassures him, and offers
marriage to one daughter in return for service.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: One daughter of Shoaib
description: A damsel who comes to Moses bashfully, conveys her father's invitation,
and recommends hiring Moses.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: One of Shoaib's two daughters
description: The daughter whom Shoaib offers to Moses in marriage; a footnote identifies
her as Sefra or Zipporah according to differing reports.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:16
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Moses' family
description: The family traveling with Moses toward Egypt and told to wait while
he approaches the fire.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: God
description: The speaker who calls to Moses from the sacred valley and tree, identifies
himself as Lord of all creatures, gives signs, and promises aid through Aaron.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:15
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Aaron
description: Moses' brother, described by Moses as more eloquent and requested as
an assistant.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Pharaoh and his princes
description: The recipients to whom the two evident signs from God are to be brought;
called a wicked people.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
roles:
- id: role:1
label: fugitive recipient of refuge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Moses tells Shoaib his adventures and is told he has escaped unjust people.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: father and host-employer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Shoaib calls Moses, recompenses him, and offers him hire and marriage terms.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: bashful messenger and advocate
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The daughter brings her father's message and recommends Moses as able and
trustworthy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: covenant partners
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: Moses accepts Shoaib's service-marriage terms as a covenant witnessed by
God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: divine commissioner and protector
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: God calls to Moses, gives signs, commands him not to fear, and promises power
and victory.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:12
- ev:15
- id: role:6
label: promised bride
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Shoaib offers one of his two daughters to Moses in marriage under the service
condition.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: assistant requested for mission
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Moses asks that Aaron be sent with him as an eloquent assistant; God promises
to strengthen Moses by Aaron.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: role:8
label: wicked opponents addressed by signs
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The two signs are to be sent to Pharaoh and his princes, who are called a
wicked people.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fire as guide and warmth
literal_form: fire seen on the side of Mount Sinai
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: Mount Sinai
literal_form: Mount Sinai, beside which Moses sees fire
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: sacred tree
literal_form: tree from which the divine voice calls in the sacred valley
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: rod moving like a serpent
literal_form: Moses' rod cast down and moving as though it had been a serpent
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:12
- id: sym:5
label: white hand without hurt
literal_form: hand placed in the bosom and brought forth white without harm
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: sym:6
label: service-marriage covenant
literal_form: agreement for marriage to one daughter in exchange for eight or ten
years of service, with God as witness
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: rod of the prophets
literal_form: footnoted rod described as a myrtle branch of paradise descended from
Adam
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Invitation to Shoaib and reassurance
summary: A daughter of Shoaib invites Moses to her father for recompense; after
Moses recounts his adventures, Shoaib tells him not to fear because he has escaped
unjust people.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Marriage and service covenant
summary: A daughter recommends hiring Moses; Shoaib offers one daughter in marriage
if Moses serves eight or ten years, and Moses accepts the covenant with God as
witness.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: Journey toward Egypt and sighting of fire
summary: After fulfilling the term, Moses travels with his family toward Egypt,
sees fire on Mount Sinai, and tells his family to wait while he seeks guidance
or a brand for warmth.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Divine call and two signs
summary: A voice from the sacred valley and tree identifies itself as God, commands
Moses to cast down his rod, reassures him when it moves like a serpent, and gives
the sign of the white hand as a second sign for Pharaoh and his princes.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: scene:5
label: Request for Aaron and promise of victory
summary: Moses fears execution for a prior killing and asks for Aaron as an eloquent
assistant; God promises to strengthen both brothers and make them and their followers
conquerors through divine signs.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: covenant sealed by spoken terms and divine witness
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: Moses and Shoaib make a formal agreement over marriage and service, and Moses
states that God is witness to what they say.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The covenant is a social and marital-service agreement rather than a collective
national covenant.
- id: motif:2
label: divine encounter on mountain with fire and sacred tree
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
- mountain
- tree
basis: Moses sees fire by Mount Sinai and hears a divine voice from a tree in a
sacred valley.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy supplies symbol references for fire, mountain,
and tree, but not a specific motif family for the combined theophany.
- id: motif:3
label: serpent sign from transformed rod
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: Moses casts down his rod, which moves as though it had been a serpent, and
this becomes one of the evident signs for Pharaoh and his princes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: The passage says the rod moved as though it had been a serpent; it does
not elaborate further in this range.
- id: motif:4
label: divine commissioning with miraculous signs
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: God gives Moses two evident signs and sends them to Pharaoh and his princes,
while promising extraordinary power and victory to Moses and Aaron.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- ev:15
confidence: high
cautions: No exact available taxonomy family names this commissioning pattern.
- id: motif:5
label: brother as empowered assistant in mission
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
basis: Moses asks that his brother Aaron accompany him as an eloquent assistant,
and God promises to strengthen Moses by Aaron.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a brother-pair in mission, but not a twin or symmetrical
sibling-pair motif.
- id: motif:6
label: return toward place of danger after exile-like refuge
taxonomy_refs:
- return
- departure
basis: After escaping unjust people and completing service with Shoaib, Moses journeys
with his family toward Egypt, where he fears death for a prior killing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:13
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not explicitly frame the journey as a completed exile-return
cycle, though the sequence supports a cautious motif candidate.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: lines 28211-28214
quote_or_summary: One damsel comes to Moses “walking bashfully” and says her father
calls him to recompense him for watering their sheep.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 28214-28216
quote_or_summary: Moses comes to Shoaib, tells his adventures, and Shoaib says he
has escaped from unjust people and should not fear.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: lines 28217-28219
quote_or_summary: A daughter says to hire Moses because “the best servant thou canst
hire is an able and trusty person.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 28220-28224
quote_or_summary: Shoaib offers Moses one of his two daughters in marriage if Moses
serves eight years, or ten if he chooses, and says he does not seek to impose
hardship.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: lines 28225-28228
quote_or_summary: Moses answers, “Let this be the covenant between me and thee,”
and says God witnesses what they say.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 28229-28231
quote_or_summary: After fulfilling the term, Moses journeys with his family toward
Egypt and sees fire on the side of Mount Sinai.
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 28231-28234
quote_or_summary: Moses tells his family to wait because he sees fire and may bring
news of the way or a brand for warmth.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: quote
locator: lines 28235-28237
quote_or_summary: 'A voice cries from the right side of the valley, in the sacred
bottom, from the tree: “O Moses, verily I am GOD, the LORD of all creatures.”'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 28238-28240
quote_or_summary: Moses is told to cast down his rod; when it moves as though it
were a serpent, he retreats and flees.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: quote
locator: lines 28240-28241
quote_or_summary: God says, “O Moses, draw near, and fear not; for thou art safe.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 28242-28244
quote_or_summary: Moses is told to put his hand into his bosom so it will come out
white without hurt, and to draw back the hand he stretched out in fear.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 28244-28246
quote_or_summary: The two actions are identified as two evident signs from God to
Pharaoh and his princes, called a wicked people.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 28247-28248
quote_or_summary: Moses says he has slain one of them and fears they will put him
to death.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: lines 28249-28252
quote_or_summary: Moses says Aaron is more eloquent and asks that he be sent as
an assistant to gain him credit.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: lines 28253-28256
quote_or_summary: God promises to strengthen Moses' arm by Aaron, give both extraordinary
power, and make them and their followers conquerors through divine signs.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:16
type: note
locator: footnote k, lines 28258-28260
quote_or_summary: The footnote identifies the damsel as Sefra or Zipporah, either
elder or younger daughter of Shoaib, whom Moses later married.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized note.
- id: ev:17
type: note
locator: footnote m, lines 28266-28268
quote_or_summary: The footnote says Moses received from Shoaib the rod of the prophets,
a myrtle branch of paradise descended from Adam, later used for wonders in Egypt.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized note.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based directly on the supplied passage and notes. Motif labels
beyond explicit symbols are cautious and require human 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: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage range itself does not require a distinct cross-text comparison beyond internal motif candidates and translator notes.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l28211-l28268
passage_sha256=25ecda70f6fc73947a7d6d2626aa23659cd4a3c584ff481cbf7fb39e85f2dbeb