וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
神把它們放在天穹中，用來照亮地面。
神把它们放在天穹中，用来照亮地面。
Shén bǎ tāmen fàng zài tiān qióng zhōng, yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn.
And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 神 | shén | God | Subject noun |
| 把 | bǎ | Indicates the direct object | Preposition |
| 它們 / 它们 | tāmen | Them (non-human objects) | Pronoun |
| 放 | fàng | Put, set | Verb |
| 天穹 | tiān qióng | Firmament, heavens | Noun |
| 中 | zhōng | In, within | Preposition |
| 用來 / 用来 | yòng lái | Used for | Verb phrase |
| 照亮 | zhào liàng | Illuminate | Verb |
| 地面 | dì miàn | Ground, earth’s surface | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 神把它們放在天穹中 (shén bǎ tāmen fàng zài tiān qióng zhōng): Subject-verb-object structure with the prepositional phrase indicating where the objects were set.
- 用來照亮地面 (yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn): Describes the purpose of setting the lights as illuminating the earth’s surface.
Key Grammar Points:
- 把 (bǎ): Indicates the direct object of the action and highlights the effect of the verb.
- 放 (fàng): Means “put” or “set,” describing the action of placing the celestial lights.
- 用來 / 用来 (yòng lái): Expresses purpose, equivalent to “used for” in English.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Shén bǎ tāmen fàng zài tiān qióng zhōng, yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn.
Tone Practice:
- 神 (shén): 2nd tone (rising)
- 把 (bǎ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 它們 / 它们 (tāmen): 1st tone (high) + neutral tone
- 放 (fàng): 4th tone (falling)
- 照亮 (zhào liàng): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 放 (fàng): Means “to put” or “to place,” emphasizing the action of setting objects in position.
- 用來 / 用来 (yòng lái): Indicates purpose, linking the action to its intended outcome.
- 照亮 (zhào liàng): Represents the act of illuminating, central to the purpose of the celestial lights.
- 地面 (dì miàn): Refers to the earth’s surface, the target of the light.
- 天穹 (tiān qióng): Represents the firmament or heavens, highlighting its role as the location for celestial bodies.
- 中 (zhōng): Means “within” or “in,” specifying the placement of the lights in the firmament.
- 它們 / 它们 (tāmen): Refers to the celestial bodies (the sun, moon, and stars) as non-human objects.
- 神 (shén): Represents God, the subject performing the action.
5. Cultural Insights
- Light as Divine Provision: In both Hebrew and Chinese traditions, the act of placing lights in the heavens reflects divine care and order. Light is often associated with guidance, life, and divine authority.
- Firmament as Sacred Space: The firmament (天穹 / tiān qióng) is seen as a holy and ordered domain where celestial bodies function under divine decree.
- Practical and Symbolic Roles of Light: The purpose of illumination (照亮 / zhào liàng) ties to both practical benefits, like marking time, and symbolic meanings of enlightenment and clarity in life.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 放 (fàng): Visualize God placing the sun, moon, and stars in the sky like carefully positioning lanterns.
- 照亮 (zhào liàng): Imagine the firmament lighting up as the celestial bodies shine down on the earth.
- 天穹 (tiān qióng): Think of the vast, starry heavens as a canopy over the earth.
- 地面 (dì miàn): Envision the illuminated surface of the earth, representing divine provision for creation.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים (Vayitten Otam Elohim): → 神把它們 / 它们 (shén bǎ tāmen): Both describe God placing the celestial bodies.
- בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (Birqia HaShamayim): → 放在天穹中 (fàng zài tiān qióng zhōng): Both specify the location of the celestial bodies as the firmament of the heavens.
- לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ (Leha’ir Al Ha’aretz): → 用來照亮地面 (yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn): Both describe the purpose of the lights as illuminating the earth.
- Comparison with English:
- The phrase “And God set them in the firmament of the heavens” corresponds to 神把它們放在天穹中 / 神把它们放在天穹中 (shén bǎ tāmen fàng zài tiān qióng zhōng): Both describe the placement of the lights in the sky.
- “To give light upon the earth” aligns with 用來照亮地面 (yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn): Both emphasize the role of celestial bodies in providing light to the earth.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Firmament as Order: The placement of celestial bodies in 天穹 (tiān qióng): reflects a shared cultural value of cosmic order in both Hebrew and Chinese traditions.
- Light as Life and Guidance: The act of illumination (照亮 / zhào liàng) symbolizes not only physical light but also enlightenment and guidance in life, concepts central to both cultures.
