וּמֵעֵ֗ץ הַדַּ֨עַת֙ טֹ֣וב וָרָ֔ע לֹ֥א תֹאכַ֖ל מִמֶּ֑נּוּ כִּ֗י בְּיֹ֛ום אֲכָלְךָ֥ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ מֹ֥ות תָּמֽוּת׃
只是分辨善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子必定死。
只是分辨善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子必定死。
Zhǐ shì fēn biàn shàn è shù shàng de guǒ zi, nǐ bù kě chī, yīn wéi nǐ chī de rì zi bì dìng sǐ.
But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 只是 | zhǐ shì | But | Conjunction |
| 分辨 | fēn biàn | To discern, to distinguish | Verb |
| 善恶 / 善惡 | shàn è | Good and evil | Noun phrase |
| 树 / 樹 | shù | Tree | Noun |
| 上的 | shàng de | Of, on | Particle |
| 果子 | guǒ zi | Fruit | Noun |
| 你 | nǐ | You | Pronoun |
| 不可 | bù kě | May not, cannot | Verb |
| 吃 | chī | To eat | Verb |
| 因为 / 因為 | yīn wéi | Because | Conjunction |
| 日子 | rì zi | Day | Noun |
| 必定 | bì dìng | Surely, certainly | Adverb |
| 死 | sǐ | To die | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 只是分辨善恶树上的果子 (Zhǐ shì fēn biàn shàn è shù shàng de guǒ zi): Indicates the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
- 你不可吃 (Nǐ bù kě chī): Expresses prohibition, meaning “you may not eat.”
- 因为你吃的日子必定死 (Yīn wéi nǐ chī de rì zi bì dìng sǐ): Provides the consequence of eating, meaning “for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.”
Key Grammar Points:
- 不可 (bù kě): A modal verb indicating prohibition, meaning “may not” or “cannot.”
- 因为 / 因為 (yīn wéi): A conjunction introducing the reason or cause, meaning “because.”
- 必定 (bì dìng): An adverb meaning “surely” or “certainly,” emphasizing the inevitability of the consequence.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Zhǐ shì fēn biàn shàn è shù shàng de guǒ zi, nǐ bù kě chī, yīn wéi nǐ chī de rì zi bì dìng sǐ.
Tone Practice:
- 只是 (Zhǐ shì): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 分辨 (fēn biàn): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 善恶 / 善惡 (shàn è): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 树 / 樹 (shù): 4th tone (falling)
- 上的 (shàng de): 4th tone (falling) + neutral tone
- 果子 (guǒ zi): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 你 (nǐ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 不可 (bù kě): 4th tone (falling) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 吃 (chī): 1st tone (flat)
- 因为 / 因為 (yīn wéi): 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 日子 (rì zi): 4th tone (falling) + neutral tone
- 必定 (bì dìng): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 死 (sǐ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 分辨 (fēn biàn): Represents “to discern” or “to distinguish,” emphasizing the tree’s symbolic nature.
- 善恶 / 善惡 (shàn è): Refers to “good and evil,” a central theme in the narrative.
- 必定 (bì dìng): Means “surely” or “certainly,” emphasizing the inevitability of the consequence.
5. Cultural Insights
- Symbolism of Trees: Trees often symbolize wisdom and life in both Hebrew and Chinese cultures. The Tree of Knowledge parallels Chinese mythological concepts like the “Tree of Immortality.”
- Prohibition and Consequences: The command reflects themes of boundaries and obedience, which are also central to Confucian teachings on moral conduct.
- Life and Death: The mention of death as a consequence mirrors Chinese philosophical explorations of mortality and the balance of yin and yang.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 分辨 (fēn biàn): Picture carefully sorting items into “good” and “bad” categories, symbolizing discernment.
- 善恶 / 善惡 (shàn è): Visualize two sides of a coin, one bright (good) and the other dark (evil), representing duality.
- 必定 (bì dìng): Imagine a stamp of certainty, symbolizing something inevitable or unchangeable.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וּמֵעֵ֗ץ הַדַּ֨עַת֙ טֹ֣וב וָרָ֔ע (UMeEtz HaDaat Tov VaRa): → 只是分辨善恶树上的果子 (Zhǐ shì fēn biàn shàn è shù shàng de guǒ zi): Both describe the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
- לֹ֥א תֹאכַ֖ל מִמֶּ֑נּוּ (Lo ToAkhal Mimenu): → 你不可吃 (Nǐ bù kě chī): Both express prohibition against eating.
- כִּ֗י בְּיֹ֛ום אֲכָלְךָ֥ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ מֹ֥ות תָּמֽוּת (Ki BeYom Akhalcha Mimenu Mot Tamut): → 因为你吃的日子必定死 (Yīn wéi nǐ chī de rì zi bì dìng sǐ): Both indicate the consequence of eating as certain death.
- Comparison with English:
- “But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” matches 只是分辨善恶树上的果子 (Zhǐ shì fēn biàn shàn è shù shàng de guǒ zi): Both emphasize the tree’s symbolic role.
- “You shall not eat of it” corresponds to 你不可吃 (Nǐ bù kě chī): Both prohibit eating from the tree.
- “For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” matches 因为你吃的日子必定死 (Yīn wéi nǐ chī de rì zi bì dìng sǐ): Both underscore the consequence of death.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Moral Boundaries: The prohibition mirrors Confucian emphasis on adhering to moral laws and the consequences of disobedience.
- Symbolism of Duality: The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil reflects the Chinese philosophical concept of balancing opposites, such as yin and yang.
