Table Intertextual Sources - warwickfoster/qurantools GitHub Wiki

The intertextual sources table documents connections between Qur'anic verses and external texts, providing bibliographic references and source language data. This table supports comparative studies, highlighting the intertextuality of the Qur'an with earlier scriptures and traditions.

Analysis of the intertextual sources Table

Below is the detailed analysis and description of each field in the intertextual sources table, with the table name included as a left-hand column.

Table Name Field Name Description
intertextual sources SOURCE ID A unique identifier for each intertextual source, typically an abbreviation or short form of the source's name.
intertextual sources SOURCE NAME The full name of the intertextual source, such as 1 Samuel or The Story of Ahikar, providing a clear reference for users.
intertextual sources SOURCE ALTERNATIVE NAME An alternative or historical name for the source, helping users identify the source under different names or translations.
intertextual sources SOURCE LANGUAGE The language(s) of the source (e.g., Hebrew, Greek, Syriac), reflecting its original or most significant textual form.
intertextual sources SOURCE DATE A textual representation of the approximate date of the source, often including ranges or eras (e.g., 5th Century BC, Late 1st Century AD).
intertextual sources SOURCE DATE NUMERIC A numerical representation of the approximate date of the source, useful for sorting and computational analysis (e.g., -700 for 700 BC, 500 for 500 AD).
intertextual sources SOURCE URL A URL linking to the source's full text or additional information, providing users direct access to further study or context.
intertextual sources PUBLISHED SOURCE The bibliographic reference or publication details for the source, including editors, titles, and publication dates, often formatted with HTML for emphasis (e.g., <i>The Story of Ahikar</i>).
intertextual sources VERSE REFERENCES A list of Quranic verse references (e.g., 2:246-247) where the source is intertextually linked, highlighting the relationship between the Quran and the source.

Key Insights

  1. Field Relationships:

    • SOURCE ID and SOURCE NAME uniquely identify and describe each source, enabling clear referencing.
    • VERSE REFERENCES links the Quranic verses to intertextual sources, supporting comparative studies and thematic analysis.

  2. Temporal and Linguistic Context:

    • SOURCE DATE and SOURCE DATE NUMERIC provide historical context, making it easier to analyze sources chronologically.
    • SOURCE LANGUAGE highlights the linguistic diversity of intertextual sources, reflecting the Quran's engagement with a variety of textual traditions.

  3. Applications:

    • Enables intertextual analysis of Quranic verses by linking them to external texts.
    • Facilitates bibliographic and textual studies through the PUBLISHED SOURCE and SOURCE URL fields.

Example Interpretation of Data:

  • Row 1:

    • SOURCE ID: 1SAMUEL
    • SOURCE NAME: 1 Samuel
    • SOURCE LANGUAGE: Hebrew
    • SOURCE DATE: 6th-8th Centuries BC
    • VERSE REFERENCES: 2:246-247;2:250-251
    • Links the Quranic verses 2:246-247 and 2:250-251 to the intertextual source 1 Samuel, written in Hebrew during the 6th-8th Centuries BC.

  • Row 8:

    • SOURCE ID: ALEXANDER
    • SOURCE NAME: The Alexander Legend
    • SOURCE DATE: 629-630AD
    • SOURCE LANGUAGE: Syriac
    • VERSE REFERENCES: 18:83;18:86;18:93-97;21:96
    • Relates verses about the Quranic Alexander (Dhul-Qarnayn) to the Syriac Alexander Legend from 629-630 AD.

Contextual Significance:

  1. Historical and Thematic Analysis:
    • This table allows researchers to explore historical contexts and thematic overlaps between the Quran and other texts.
  2. Bibliographic Reference:
    • Fields like PUBLISHED SOURCE and SOURCE URL provide access to high-quality references for academic study.
  3. Interfaith and Comparative Studies:
    • Enables the exploration of shared narratives and concepts between the Quran and other religious or historical texts.