batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l31403-l31487
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l31403-l31487
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XXXVIII. / ENTITLED, S.;
REVEALED AT MECCA. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 31403-31487
start: '31403'
end: '31487'
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 opens Sura 38 with an oath by the admonitory Koran, describes
unbelievers rejecting a warner and objecting to the claim of one God, recalls
earlier peoples who accused messengers and received divine vengeance, warns of
a single trumpet blast and the day of account, and turns to David, whose kingdom,
wisdom, and eloquence are established while mountains and birds join his praise.
It ends by introducing two adversaries who climb into David's upper chamber, with
a note identifying them as angels and comparing the episode to Nathan's parable
to David.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage states that unbelievers are marked by pride and contention and
that destroyed generations cried for mercy too late to escape.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The unbelievers wonder that a warner has come from among themselves and call
him a sorcerer and liar.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The unbelievers object to the affirmation that the gods are only one God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Chief men depart and exhort one another to persevere in worship of their gods.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The passage asks whether the opponents possess divine mercy's treasures or
the kingdom of the heavens and earth, and challenges them to ascend by steps to
heaven if so.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Earlier peoples, including the people of Noah, Ad, Pharaoh, Thamud, Lot's
people, and the inhabitants of the wood near Madian, are named as having accused
messengers of falsehood.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The passage says divine vengeance was executed upon those earlier accusers.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The passage says the present opponents wait only for one sounding of the trumpet,
with no deferral, and they ask mockingly for their sentence before the day of
account.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: David is described as God's servant, endowed with strength, turning seriously
toward God.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Mountains are compelled to celebrate praise with David in the evening and
at sunrise.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Birds gather to David and return frequently for the purpose of praise.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: David's kingdom is established, and he is given wisdom and eloquence of speech.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Two adversaries ascend over the wall into the upper apartment; the note identifies
them as two angels in human shape and relates the episode to Nathan's parable
to David.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God / LORD
description: The divine speaker and judge, described as mighty and munificent, whose
mercy, kingdom, admonition, vengeance, and gifts to David are mentioned.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Unbelievers
description: Opponents described as proud and contentious; they reject the warner,
object to one God, and mockingly ask for their sentence.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Warner from among themselves
description: A figure sent to the unbelievers, whom they call a sorcerer and liar.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Chief men among the unbelievers
description: Leaders who depart and encourage one another to persevere in worship
of their gods.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Earlier peoples who accused messengers
description: The people of Noah, Ad, Pharaoh, Thamud, Lot's people, and the inhabitants
of the wood near Madian are listed among prior accusers.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Pharaoh, contriver of the stakes
description: Named among earlier opponents; a note explains the stakes as instruments
used for punishment or as an image of established rule.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: David
description: God's servant, strong and devoted, associated with praising mountains
and birds, and given kingdom, wisdom, and eloquence.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Mountains
description: Natural features compelled to celebrate praise with David at evening
and sunrise.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Birds
description: Creatures gathered to David and returning frequently for praise.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Two adversaries
description: Two figures who ascend over the wall into David's upper apartment;
a note identifies them as angels in human shape.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine judge and benefactor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage attributes mercy, kingdom, vengeance, and the granting of David's
kingdom and wisdom to God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: rejecting opponents
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They are described as proud, contentious, rejecting the warner, and scoffing
about judgment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: sent warner
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The figure comes from among the unbelievers to warn them and is called a
sorcerer and liar.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: elite defenders of ancestral worship
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: They exhort one another to persevere in worship of their gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: precedent accusers under judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: These earlier groups and Pharaoh are said to have accused messengers and
to have received justly executed vengeance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: devout servant-king and recipient of wisdom
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: David is called God's servant, his kingdom is established, and wisdom and
eloquence are given to him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: nonhuman participants in praise
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: Mountains and birds are described as joining David in praise.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: unexpected litigants or testing visitors
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: They enter David's upper apartment by ascending over the wall; the note identifies
them as angels in human shape presenting a feigned controversy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: admonitory scripture
literal_form: Koran full of admonition
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: ascent by steps to heaven
literal_form: steps leading upward toward heaven
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: one sounding of the trumpet
literal_form: trumpet blast
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: day of account
literal_form: appointed day of reckoning or sentence
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: praising mountains
literal_form: mountains celebrating praise with David at evening and sunrise
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: gathered birds
literal_form: birds gathered to David for praise
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: stakes of Pharaoh
literal_form: stakes associated with Pharaoh's punishment or established rule
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: sym:8
label: upper apartment entered over the wall
literal_form: wall and upper apartment reached by the two adversaries
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Rejection of the warner and one God
summary: Unbelievers reject a warner from among themselves, call him a sorcerer
and liar, and object to the assertion of one God; chief men urge persistence in
worshiping their gods.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:2
label: Challenge to heavenly possession
summary: The passage asks whether the opponents possess divine mercy or the kingdom
of the heavens and earth and challenges them to ascend by steps to heaven if they
do.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Earlier confederates and divine vengeance
summary: Earlier peoples and Pharaoh are recalled as accusers of messengers, and
divine vengeance is said to have been executed on them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: scene:4
label: Trumpet and day of account
summary: The present opponents are said to await one non-deferred trumpet blast,
while they mockingly ask for their sentence before the day of account.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: David's praise with mountains and birds
summary: David is presented as a devoted servant; mountains and birds participate
in praise with him, and his kingdom, wisdom, and eloquence are established.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Two adversaries enter David's chamber
summary: Two adversaries ascend over a wall into David's upper apartment; the note
identifies them as angels in human form and links the story to Nathan's parable.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: rejection of a divine warner by proud opponents
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The unbelievers reject a warner from among themselves, label him a sorcerer
and liar, and defend continued worship of their gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No external comparison is made beyond the passage's own pattern of rejection.
- id: motif:2
label: divine judgment on accusers of messengers
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage lists earlier peoples who accused messengers and states that
divine vengeance was justly executed on them; it also warns of the trumpet and
day of account.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The extracted motif is limited to the judgment language present in this
passage.
- id: motif:3
label: impossible or challenged ascent to heaven
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: The opponents are challenged to ascend by steps to heaven if they possess
the kingdom of the heavens and earth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames the ascent as a rhetorical challenge, not as a completed
journey.
- id: motif:4
label: wisdom and royal legitimacy granted by God
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
- royal_legitimacy
basis: David's kingdom is established, and he is given wisdom and eloquence of speech
by God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not describe a coronation ritual; legitimacy is inferred
only from divine establishment of the kingdom.
- id: motif:5
label: nonhuman nature joins sacred praise
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
basis: Mountains and birds are described as celebrating praise with David and returning
frequently for that purpose.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: Only mountains match an available symbol taxonomy term; birds have no
supplied taxonomy reference.
- id: motif:6
label: heavenly visitors enter as adversaries to test or instruct a king
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The two adversaries enter David's upper apartment; the note says they are
angels in human shape presenting a feigned controversy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The main passage excerpt stops before the controversy is narrated; the
angelic identification comes from the translator's note.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The translator's note explicitly identifies the episode of the two adversaries
before David as a disguised version of Nathan's parable to David.
claim_level: same_function
target: Nathan's parable to David in 2 Samuel xii
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The comparison is based on the note within the supplied passage; the
excerpt itself ends before the detailed parable or judgment is presented.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 31403-31415
quote_or_summary: The chapter opens with the letter S, an oath by the admonitory
Koran, and a statement that unbelievers are proud and contentious; destroyed generations
cried for mercy too late.
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 31416-31423
quote_or_summary: The unbelievers wonder that a warner from among themselves has
come, call him a sorcerer and liar, and object to the claim that the gods are
one God.
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 31431-31443
quote_or_summary: Chief men encourage perseverance in worship of their gods, call
the message a false contrivance, question why admonition was sent to him, and
are challenged to ascend by steps to heaven if they possess the heavens and earth.
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 31444-31453
quote_or_summary: The people of Noah, Ad, Pharaoh, Thamud, Lot, and the inhabitants
of the wood near Madian are listed as earlier confederates who accused messengers,
after which divine vengeance was executed.
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 31454-31457
quote_or_summary: The opponents await one sounding of the trumpet without deferral
and mockingly ask the Lord to hasten their sentence before the day of account.
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 31458-31466
quote_or_summary: David is described as God's strong servant; mountains praise with
him at evening and sunrise, birds gather and return to him, and God establishes
his kingdom and grants wisdom and eloquence.
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 31467-31487
quote_or_summary: The story of two adversaries begins as they ascend over the wall
into David's upper apartment; the note says they were two angels in human shape
and compares the episode to Nathan's parable to David in 2 Samuel xii.
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 t, within lines 31467-31487 note block
quote_or_summary: The note explains Pharaoh's stakes as either instruments for punishing
people by binding hands and feet to four stakes, or figuratively as the firm establishment
of his kingdom.
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: Literal extraction is strong for the supplied passage. Motif labels are cautious
and based on available taxonomy where applicable. The comparison claim relies
on the translator's note rather than on a full narrative parallel within the excerpt.
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. Long quotations were avoided in favor of concise summaries.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l31403-l31487
passage_sha256=f2bbb474f6c37299dd076a315e5febbdc6e3d476cf30f3506cadc056fdebb28c