וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ אֶת־קֹ֨ול יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּגָּ֖ן לְר֣וּחַ הַיֹּ֑ום וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם וְאִשְׁתֹּ֗ו מִפְּנֵי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים בְּתֹ֖וךְ עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן׃
他們聽見耶和華上帝在園中涼風中行走，就藏在樹中，躲避耶和華上帝的面。
他们听见耶和华上帝在园中凉风中行走，就藏在树中，躲避耶和华上帝的面。
Tā men tīng jiàn Yēhéhuá Shàngdì zài yuán zhōng liáng fēng zhōng xíng zǒu, jiù cáng zài shù zhōng, duǒ bì Yēhéhuá Shàngdì de miàn.
They heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves among the trees of the garden from the presence of the LORD God.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 他們 / 他们 | tā men | They, them | Pronoun |
| 聽見 / 听见 | tīng jiàn | To hear | Verb |
| 耶和華 / 耶和华 | Yēhéhuá | The LORD | Proper noun |
| 上帝 | Shàngdì | God | Proper noun |
| 園中 / 园中 | yuán zhōng | In the garden | Noun phrase |
| 涼風 / 凉风 | liáng fēng | Cool breeze | Noun |
| 行走 | xíng zǒu | To walk | Verb |
| 就 | jiù | Then, immediately | Adverb |
| 藏 | cáng | To hide | Verb |
| 樹中 / 树中 | shù zhōng | Among the trees | Noun phrase |
| 躲避 | duǒ bì | To avoid, to escape | Verb |
| 面 | miàn | Presence, face | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 他們聽見耶和華上帝 (Tā men tīng jiàn Yēhéhuá Shàngdì): The subject “they” hears the voice of the LORD God.
- 在園中涼風中行走 (Zài yuán zhōng liáng fēng zhōng xíng zǒu): Describes the LORD walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
- 就藏在樹中 (Jiù cáng zài shù zhōng): Describes the immediate reaction of hiding among the trees.
- 躲避耶和華上帝的面 (Duǒ bì Yēhéhuá Shàngdì de miàn): Explains the purpose of hiding—escaping the presence of the LORD.
Key Grammar Points:
- 在 (zài): A preposition indicating location or place.
- 就 (jiù): An adverb indicating immediate or logical consequence.
- 躲避 (duǒ bì): A verb indicating an intentional effort to avoid or escape.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Tā men tīng jiàn Yēhéhuá Shàngdì zài yuán zhōng liáng fēng zhōng xíng zǒu, jiù cáng zài shù zhōng, duǒ bì Yēhéhuá Shàngdì de miàn.
Tone Practice:
- 他們 / 他们 (tā men): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
- 聽見 / 听见 (tīng jiàn): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 上帝 (Shàngdì): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 園中 / 园中 (yuán zhōng): 2nd tone (rising) + 1st tone (flat)
- 涼風 / 凉风 (liáng fēng): 2nd tone (rising) + 1st tone (flat)
- 行走 (xíng zǒu): 2nd tone (rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 就 (jiù): 4th tone (falling)
- 藏 (cáng): 2nd tone (rising)
- 樹中 / 树中 (shù zhōng): 4th tone (falling) + 1st tone (flat)
- 躲避 (duǒ bì): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 面 (miàn): 4th tone (falling)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 聽見 / 听见 (tīng jiàn): A verb meaning “to hear,” emphasizing auditory perception.
- 涼風 / 凉风 (liáng fēng): Refers to a “cool breeze,” symbolizing a calm and serene moment.
- 躲避 (duǒ bì): Means “to avoid” or “to escape,” highlighting an intentional action.
5. Cultural Insights
- Walking in the Garden: In both Hebrew and Chinese traditions, gardens often symbolize peace and divine presence, reflecting the relationship between humanity and the divine.
- Hiding from Authority: The act of hiding reflects universal human emotions of guilt and fear, resonating in Chinese philosophical teachings about accountability and moral behavior.
- Cool of the Day: The “cool breeze” signifies a tranquil time, paralleling Chinese poetic imagery where nature is depicted as harmonious and restorative.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 涼風 / 凉风 (liáng fēng): Imagine a gentle breeze rustling the leaves in a quiet garden.
- 躲避 (duǒ bì): Visualize someone hiding behind a tree, peeking out nervously.
- 聽見 / 听见 (tīng jiàn): Picture a pair of ears listening attentively to distant footsteps.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ אֶת־קֹ֨ול יְהוָ֧ה (VaYishme’u Et Kol Adonai): → 他们听见耶和华 (Tā men tīng jiàn Yēhéhuá): Both describe hearing the voice of the LORD.
- מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּגָּ֖ן (Mit’halech BaGan): → 在园中行走 (Zài yuán zhōng xíng zǒu): Both depict walking in the garden.
- וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א (VaYitchabeh): → 就藏 (Jiù cáng): Both describe hiding in response to fear or guilt.
- Comparison with English:
- “They heard the voice of the LORD God” matches 他们听见耶和华上帝 (Tā men tīng jiàn Yēhéhuá Shàngdì): Both express auditory perception.
- “Walking in the garden in the cool of the day” aligns with 在园中凉风中行走 (Zài yuán zhōng liáng fēng zhōng xíng zǒu): Both describe a serene setting.
- “The man and his wife hid themselves” corresponds to 就藏在树中 (Jiù cáng zài shù zhōng): Both recount the act of hiding among trees.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Nature and Divine Presence: The garden setting aligns with Chinese philosophical ideas where nature represents harmony and the divine.
- Fear and Guilt: The reaction of hiding mirrors Chinese cultural narratives about shame and facing consequences for one’s actions.
