batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l30244-l30332
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l30244-l30332
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XXXIII. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XXXIV.
/ IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 30244-30332
start: '30244'
end: '30332'
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 Solomon's death being discovered only when an earth-creature
gnaws his staff and his body falls, revealing to the genii that they had not known
the secret. It then describes the people of Saba, who had two prosperous gardens
and secure travel routes, but turned aside and were punished by the inundation
of al Arem, the loss of their gardens, and total dispersion. Sale's notes explain
the Solomon story as involving genii completing the Jerusalem temple while Solomon's
corpse remained supported by a staff, and explain al Arem as a dam or reservoir
whose breaking caused destruction and migrations of Sabaean tribes.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Solomon's death is not discovered until a creeping thing of the earth gnaws
his staff and his body falls down.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: After Solomon's body falls, the genii perceive that they did not know what
was secret and had continued in punishment or servile labor.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Sale's note says Solomon died while standing at prayer and leaning on a staff,
and that the genii continued temple work for a year until a worm ate through the
staff.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: 'The descendants of Saba are said to have had a sign in their dwelling: two
gardens on the right and left, with provision from the Lord and a command to give
thanks.'
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The descendants of Saba turn aside from the command, and the inundation of
al Arem is sent against them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The two gardens are changed into gardens producing bitter fruit, tamarisks,
and some lote-tree fruit.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Cities are placed between Saba and the blessed cities, making travel easy,
secure, and possible by night and day.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The people ask the Lord to put greater distance between their journeys; they
are then made a subject of discourse and dispersed with a total dispersion.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Sale's note explains al Arem as mounds or dams for containing water, especially
a large reservoir above Saba that was broken down by a mighty flood.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Sale's note lists several tribes said to have left Saba and settled in Syria,
Yathreb, Tehmah, Omn, Najd, near Mecca, near Damascus, Hira, and other places
after the inundation.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Solomon
description: King whose death is concealed until his staff is gnawed and his body
falls; in the note, he is connected with the completion of the temple of Jerusalem
by genii.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: genii
description: Beings who fail to know the secret of Solomon's death and continue
in servile subjection or temple work until the death is revealed.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: creeping thing of the earth / worm
description: Small creature that gnaws Solomon's staff, causing the body to fall
and the death to be discovered.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: descendants of Saba
description: People who possess two gardens and secure travel routes, turn aside
from the command to give thanks, and are punished by inundation, altered gardens,
and dispersion.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: the Lord / God
description: Divine figure who provides Saba's country and provisions, commands
gratitude, sends the inundation, and disperses the people.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: dead king whose death is concealed
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage says Solomon's death was not discovered until the staff was gnawed
and his body fell; the note adds that his corpse remained standing at prayer while
supported by the staff.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: supernatural laborers ignorant of the hidden death
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The genii continue in punishment or servile subjection because they do not
know Solomon is dead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: small revealer of hidden death
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The creeping thing or worm gnaws the staff, making Solomon's body fall and
disclosing the death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: ungrateful punished people
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The descendants of Saba receive gardens and safe routes, turn aside, and
are punished with flood, altered gardens, and dispersion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:5
label: divine provider and judge
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The Lord provides the country and commands gratitude, then sends punishment
when the people are ungrateful.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: gnawed staff
literal_form: Solomon's staff, eaten through by a creeping thing or worm
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: creeping earth-creature
literal_form: creeping thing of the earth / worm
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: two gardens
literal_form: two gardens on the right hand and on the left; later changed into
gardens of bitter fruit, tamarisks, and lote-tree fruit
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: inundation of al Arem
literal_form: flood associated with dams or a reservoir above Saba
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: secure way-stations
literal_form: cities situated near each other between Saba and the blessed cities,
making travel easy by night and day
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: total dispersion
literal_form: the people of Saba scattered after punishment; Sale's note lists migrations
to multiple regions
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Solomon's concealed death revealed by the staff's collapse
summary: Solomon dies while his body remains supported by a staff; a creeping thing
or worm gnaws the staff, the body falls, and the genii realize they had not known
the hidden matter.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Saba's prosperity and command to give thanks
summary: The descendants of Saba have two gardens and a good country, receive provision
from the Lord, and are told to give thanks.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Flood punishment and ruined gardens
summary: After the people turn aside, the inundation of al Arem is sent against
them, and their gardens are transformed into places producing bitter fruit, tamarisks,
and limited lote-tree fruit.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: Rejected easy journeys and dispersion
summary: The people had secure routes through neighboring cities but ask for greater
distance between journeys; they are made a subject of discourse and dispersed,
with the note describing later migrations of Sabaean tribes.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: hidden royal death revealed by a small creature
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Solomon's death remains undiscovered until a creeping thing or worm gnaws
his staff, causing the body to fall.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives this as a specific narrative episode; no broader taxonomy
reference is available in the supplied list.
- id: motif:2
label: supernatural servants laboring under concealed authority
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The genii continue in servile subjection or temple work because Solomon's
death is hidden from them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The temple-building details come from Sale's explanatory note rather than
the Qur'anic verse text alone.
- id: motif:3
label: prosperity lost through ingratitude
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Saba receives gardens, provision, and safe routes, but turns aside and is
punished with ruined gardens and dispersion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: 'The motif label is interpretive but directly follows the passage''s stated
cause of punishment: ingratitude.'
- id: motif:4
label: flood or dam-break as divine punishment
taxonomy_refs:
- flood_and_renewal
- divine_judgment
basis: The inundation of al Arem is sent after Saba's disobedience; the note identifies
al Arem with dams or a reservoir broken by a mighty flood.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy term 'flood_and_renewal' partly fits the flood
element, but the passage emphasizes punishment and destruction more than renewal.
- id: motif:5
label: punitive dispersion of a people
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: After the people's unjust request regarding journeys, they are made a subject
of discourse and dispersed with a total dispersion; the note lists multiple later
settlements.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The dispersion is presented as punishment; broader ethnological implications
in the note require review.
- id: motif:6
label: rejection of divinely provided easy passage
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- divine_judgment
basis: The people are given secure travel through nearby cities but ask for greater
distances, after which they are punished.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The 'departure' taxonomy reference is only approximate because the passage
concerns travel conditions and dispersion rather than a single heroic departure.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Sale's note cautiously links the Solomon episode to Jewish or rabbinic materials
concerning the Jerusalem temple and a worm associated with stone-working, while
also mentioning biblical temple construction without iron tools.
claim_level: historical_contact
target: Jewish and rabbinic temple-building traditions cited by Sale
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This is Sale's comparative note, not a claim made by the Qur'anic passage
itself; the note uses speculative language such as 'possibly' and 'I know not.'
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 30244-30248
quote_or_summary: Solomon's death is discovered only when a creeping thing of the
earth gnaws his staff; when his body falls, the genii perceive their ignorance
of the secret.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: note c, lines 30267-30280
quote_or_summary: Sale reports commentators' explanation that Solomon died standing
at prayer, supported by his staff for a year while genii finished the temple,
until a worm ate through the staff and the corpse fell.
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 30249-30253 and note f
quote_or_summary: The descendants of Saba have two gardens on the right and left,
a good country, and provision from the Lord, and are told to give thanks; the
note explains the gardens as tracts or household gardens.
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 30254-30258
quote_or_summary: Because the people turn aside, the inundation of al Arem is sent
against them, and their two gardens are changed into gardens of bitter fruit,
tamarisks, and some lote-tree fruit as reward for ingratitude.
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 30259-30262 and note k
quote_or_summary: Cities are placed between Saba and the blessed cities, making
the journey easy and secure by night and day; the note says travelers could rest
in towns and did not need to carry provisions.
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 30263-30266 and note l-m
quote_or_summary: The people ask for greater distance between journeys, are unjust
to themselves, are made a subject of discourse, and are dispersed with a total
dispersion; notes connect this with ruined cities and a proverbial scattering
like Saba.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: note g, lines 30296-30305
quote_or_summary: Sale explains al Arem as mounds or dams containing water, especially
a large reservoir above Saba that was broken down by a mighty flood and caused
terrible destruction.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: note m, lines 30320-30329
quote_or_summary: Sale lists Sabaean groups that left their country after the inundation
and settled in Syria, Yathreb, Tehmah, Omn, Najd, near Mecca, near Damascus, Hira,
and elsewhere.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: note c, lines 30281-30291
quote_or_summary: Sale speculates that the fable of the temple being built by genii
may have arisen from biblical temple-building without iron tools, and mentions
rabbinic accounts of a worm with power over rocks and stones.
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 elements are explicit in the passage. Some Solomon temple
details and comparative material come from Sale's notes and should be reviewed
separately from the Qur'anic verse text.
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: |-
Used only supplied passage text, metadata, and available taxonomy references. Public-domain content summarized rather than extensively quoted.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l30244-l30332
passage_sha256=375ff53ce0fe27d2100531a5444fdd315a4066e01c327c0408437849ef7f6d4a