וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים יִשְׁרְצ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם שֶׁ֖רֶץ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֑ה וְעֹוף֙ יְעֹופֵ֣ף עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ עַל־פְּנֵ֖י רְקִ֥יעַ הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
神說：「水要滋生有生命的群物，飛鳥要在地面以上的天空中飛翔。」
神说：「水要滋生有生命的群物，飞鸟要在地面以上的天空中飞翔。」
Shén shuō: “Shuǐ yào zī shēng yǒu shēng mìng de qún wù, fēi niǎo yào zài dì miàn yǐ shàng de tiān kōng zhōng fēi xiáng.”
And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 神 | shén | God | Subject noun |
| 說 / 说 | shuō | Say | Verb |
| 水 | shuǐ | Water | Noun |
| 滋生 | zī shēng | Swarm, multiply | Verb |
| 有生命 | yǒu shēng mìng | Living, having life | Adjective phrase |
| 群物 | qún wù | Swarms, creatures | Noun |
| 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 | fēi niǎo | Flying birds | Noun |
| 地面 | dì miàn | Earth’s surface | Noun |
| 以上 | yǐ shàng | Above | Adverb |
| 天空 | tiān kōng | Sky, heavens | Noun |
| 飛翔 / 飞翔 | fēi xiáng | Fly, soar | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 水要滋生有生命的群物 (shuǐ yào zī shēng yǒu shēng mìng de qún wù): Describes the waters swarming with living creatures.
- 飛鳥要在地面以上的天空中飛翔 (fēi niǎo yào zài dì miàn yǐ shàng de tiān kōng zhōng fēi xiáng): Describes birds flying above the earth in the sky.
Key Grammar Points:
- 要 (yào): Indicates a command or intention, equivalent to “let” or “shall” in English.
- 滋生 (zī shēng): Means “to swarm” or “to multiply,” describing life flourishing in the waters.
- 在 (zài): Specifies location, meaning “at” or “in.”
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Shén shuō: “Shuǐ yào zī shēng yǒu shēng mìng de qún wù, fēi niǎo yào zài dì miàn yǐ shàng de tiān kōng zhōng fēi xiáng.”
Tone Practice:
- 水 (shuǐ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 滋生 (zī shēng): 1st tone (high) + 1st tone (high)
- 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 (fēi niǎo): 1st tone (high) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 天空 (tiān kōng): 1st tone (high) + 1st tone (high)
- 飛翔 / 飞翔 (fēi xiáng): 1st tone (high) + 2nd tone (rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 滋生 (zī shēng): Means “swarm” or “multiply,” central to the flourishing of life in the waters.
- 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 (fēi niǎo): Refers to flying birds, highlighting the imagery of life in the sky.
- 天空 (tiān kōng): Represents the heavens or sky, the domain of the birds.
- 地面 (dì miàn): Refers to the surface of the earth, beneath the heavens.
- 有生命 (yǒu shēng mìng): Indicates “living” or “having life,” describing the creatures in the waters.
- 飛翔 / 飞翔 (fēi xiáng): Means “fly” or “soar,” illustrating the motion of birds in the sky.
- 以上 (yǐ shàng): Indicates “above,” specifying the location of the birds relative to the earth.
5. Cultural Insights
- Life in Waters: The command for waters to swarm with life resonates with Chinese traditions that view water as a source of vitality and renewal.
- Birds as Symbols: Birds, often considered symbols of freedom and spiritual connection in both Hebrew and Chinese cultures, embody the harmony of the sky and earth.
- Divine Order: The structured creation of life in waters and skies reflects a shared cultural value of balance and purposeful design in nature.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 滋生 (zī shēng): Picture waters teeming with life, full of motion and vitality.
- 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 (fēi niǎo): Envision birds soaring gracefully through the sky, representing freedom.
- 天空 (tiān kōng): Imagine a vast expanse of blue sky, home to countless flying creatures.
- 地面 (dì miàn): Think of the solid earth as the base below the heavens, grounding all life.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- יִשְׁרְצ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם (Yishretzu HaMayim): → 水要滋生 (shuǐ yào zī shēng): Both describe the waters teeming with living creatures.
- נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֑ה (Nefesh Chayah): → 有生命 (yǒu shēng mìng): Both specify that the creatures are living beings.
- וְעֹוף֙ יְעֹופֵ֣ף (Ve’of Ye’ofef): → 飛鳥要飛翔 / 飞鸟要飞翔 (fēi niǎo yào fēi xiáng): Both describe the birds flying through the sky.
- רְקִ֥יעַ הַשָּׁמָֽיִם (Raqia HaShamayim): → 天空 (tiān kōng): Both refer to the firmament or sky as the domain of the birds.
- Comparison with English:
- The phrase “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures” corresponds to 水要滋生有生命的群物 / 水要滋生有生命的群物 (shuǐ yào zī shēng yǒu shēng mìng de qún wù): Both describe the abundance of life in the waters.
- “Let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens” aligns with 飛鳥要在地面以上的天空中飛翔 / 飞鸟要在地面以上的天空中飞翔 (fēi niǎo yào zài dì miàn yǐ shàng de tiān kōng zhōng fēi xiáng): Both emphasize the motion of birds in the sky.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Waters as Source of Life: The idea of waters swarming with life reflects the Chinese view of water as the foundation of existence and fertility.
- Harmony of Sky and Earth: The balance between waters and birds mirrors Chinese cosmology, where harmony between elements is essential for creation.
