Genesis 4:21

וְשֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו יוּבָ֑ל ה֣וּא הָיָ֔ה אֲבִ֕י כָּל־תֹּפֵ֥שׂ כִּנֹּ֖ור וְעוּגָֽב׃

他的兄弟是尤巴，他是所有弹琴吹笛的人的祖先。

他的兄弟是尤巴，他是所有弹琴吹笛的人的祖先。

Tā de xiōngdì shì Yóu bā, tā shì suǒyǒu tán qín chuī dí de rén de zǔxiān.

And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.

1. Vocabulary Breakdown

Chinese Character	Pinyin	Meaning	Grammar Role
他的 / 他的	Tā de	His	Pronoun + possessive particle
兄弟 / 兄弟	xiōngdì	Brother	Noun
是 / 是	shì	Is, to be	Verb
尤巴 / 尤巴	Yóu bā	Jubal (proper noun)	Proper noun
他 / 他	tā	He	Pronoun
是 / 是	shì	Is, to be	Verb
所有 / 所有	suǒyǒu	All	Pronoun
弹琴 / 弹琴	tán qín	Play the lyre	Verb phrase
吹笛 / 吹笛	chuī dí	Play the pipe	Verb phrase
的 / 的	de	Particle indicating possession	Particle
人 / 人	rén	Person	Noun
祖先 / 祖先	zǔxiān	Ancestor	Noun

2. Grammar Explanation

Sentence Structure:

• 他的 / 他的 (Tā de): “His” is a possessive pronoun used to indicate that Jubal is Cain’s brother.
• 兄弟 / 兄弟 (xiōngdì): Noun meaning “brother,” referring to Jubal, who is Cain’s sibling.
• 是 / 是 (shì): The verb “to be,” which links the subject (Jubal) with the predicate (the description of Jubal as the ancestor of those who play the lyre and pipe).
• 尤巴 / 尤巴 (Yóu bā): The name “Jubal,” who is identified as the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and pipe.
• 他 / 他 (tā): “He,” referring to Jubal in the second clause of the sentence.
• 所有 / 所有 (suǒyǒu): “All,” indicating that Jubal is the ancestor of all those who play musical instruments (lyre and pipe).
• 弹琴 / 弹琴 (tán qín): “Play the lyre,” referring to the practice of playing a stringed instrument, commonly associated with music in ancient cultures.
• 吹笛 / 吹笛 (chuī dí): “Play the pipe,” referring to the practice of playing a wind instrument, similar to a flute or pipe.
• 的 / 的 (de): Possessive particle linking the activity (playing musical instruments) to the people who engage in it.
• 人 / 人 (rén): Noun meaning “person,” here used to refer to those who play the lyre and pipe.
• 祖先 / 祖先 (zǔxiān): “Ancestor,” showing that Jubal is the origin of all those who play these musical instruments.

3. Pronunciation Practice

Pinyin: Tā de xiōngdì shì Yóu bā, tā shì suǒyǒu tán qín chuī dí de rén de zǔ xiān.

Tone Practice:

• 他的 / 他的 (Tā de): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
• 兄弟 / 兄弟 (xiōngdì): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
• 是 / 是 (shì): 4th tone (falling)
• 尤巴 / 尤巴 (Yóu bā): 2nd tone (rising) + 1st tone (flat)
• 他 / 他 (tā): 1st tone (flat)
• 是 / 是 (shì): 4th tone (falling)
• 所有 / 所有 (suǒyǒu): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
• 弹琴 / 弹琴 (tán qín): 2nd tone (rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
• 吹笛 / 吹笛 (chuī dí): 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising)
• 的 / 的 (de): Neutral tone
• 人 / 人 (rén): 2nd tone (rising)
• 祖先 / 祖先 (zǔxiān): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (flat)

4. Character Learning

Key Characters:

• 尤巴 / 尤巴 (Yóu bā): The name of Jubal, who is the ancestor of all those who play the lyre and pipe. This name signifies the beginning of music and entertainment in this genealogy.
• 生 / 生 (shēng): The verb for “to give birth to,” indicating that Jubal is the progenitor of a group of people who play musical instruments.
• 的 / 的 (de): This particle indicates possession, linking Jubal to his descendants, the people who play musical instruments.
• 弹琴 / 弹琴 (tán qín): “Play the lyre,” an important cultural activity that Jabal’s descendants are known for, particularly in ancient times.
• 吹笛 / 吹笛 (chuī dí): “Play the pipe,” another musical activity that symbolizes the role of Jubal’s descendants in the development of music.
• 祖先 / 祖先 (zǔxiān): The term “ancestor,” which in this context, connects Jubal as the patriarch of those who play music and live in a specific cultural heritage.

5. Cultural Insights

• The Role of Music in Ancient Cultures: In ancient cultures, music played an important role in religious, social, and cultural activities. Jubal’s invention of musical instruments (the lyre and pipe) marks him as the first musician in the biblical narrative, symbolizing the importance of music in shaping human culture. Similarly, in ancient China, musical instruments such as the guqin (a seven-string zither) and the xiao (a bamboo flute) were deeply embedded in cultural practices and rites.
• Musical Innovation and Legacy: Jubal is described as the father of all who play the lyre and pipe, which underscores the idea of musical innovation being passed down through generations. In Chinese culture, music and the arts were highly valued, with a long tradition of music, dance, and poetry influencing daily life and governance. The concept of cultural inheritance through arts, including music, is present in both the Bible and Chinese traditions.
• Ancestors and Lineage in Cultural Identity: Just as Jubal is credited with the invention of musical instruments and the establishment of a musical lineage, the concept of ancestor worship and lineage preservation is central in Chinese culture. Families often honor their ancestors and preserve their legacy, much like how the Bible emphasizes the importance of genealogies and the continuation of cultural and familial roles.

6. Mnemonics for Retention

• 尤巴 / 尤巴 (Yóu bā): Remember Jubal as the ancestor who introduced music through the lyre and pipe, much like how music becomes a key aspect of culture and legacy.
• 生 / 生 (shēng): Think of “shēng” as the act of creating something new, just as Jubal brought music into the world.
• 弹琴 / 弹琴 (tán qín): Imagine the sound of the lyre and how it creates harmony and rhythm, echoing Jubal’s legacy.
• 吹笛 / 吹笛 (chuī dí): Visualize the flute playing as a melodic, peaceful sound, part of Jubal’s musical inheritance.
• 祖先 / 祖先 (zǔxiān): “Zǔxiān” helps you connect Jubal’s legacy to the continuation of the family’s musical tradition, passed down through generations.

7. Comparative Studies

• Comparison with Hebrew:
  • וְשֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו יוּבָ֑ל (Veshēm ‘āḥīw Yūbāl): → 他的兄弟是尤巴 (Tā de xiōngdì shì Yóu bā): Both versions identify Jubal as the brother of Cain and the progenitor of those who play musical instruments.
  • ה֣וּא הָיָ֔ה אֲבִ֕י כָּל־תֹּפֵ֥שׂ כִּנֹּ֖ור וְעוּגָֽב (Hû’ hāyāh ‘ăvī kōl tōfēš kinnōr û’ūḡāḇ): → 他是所有弹琴吹笛的人的祖先 (Tā shì suǒyǒu tán qín chuī dí de rén de zǔxiān): Both versions emphasize Jubal as the father of those who play the lyre and pipe, highlighting his foundational role in the development of music.
• Comparison with English:
  • “And his brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe” (English) vs. “他的兄弟是尤巴，他是所有弹琴吹笛的人的祖先” (Chinese):
    The English translation closely follows the Chinese syntax, focusing on Jubal’s role in the development of musical arts. Both versions emphasize his identity as the originator of a musical lineage.
• Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
  • Role of Music in Ancient China: Like Jubal, who is credited with the invention of musical instruments in the Bible, ancient China places great importance on music as a cultural tool for expression, tradition, and ritual. Instruments like the guqin and pipa are integral to Chinese heritage, much like the lyre and pipe in Jubal’s legacy.
  • Preservation of Family Legacy in Chinese Culture: The Chinese value family lineage, often passing down cultural practices, including music, from generation to generation. Just as Jubal is the ancestor of musicians, Chinese families honor their ancestors through ancestral worship and the transmission of cultural traditions.

8. Application

This passage highlights the significance of musical innovation and legacy, showing how Jubal’s creation of musical instruments impacted subsequent generations. The concept of musical inheritance and family legacy is central in both biblical and Chinese cultures, illustrating how cultural contributions are passed down over time. Jubal’s story reminds us of the importance of creativity, family connections, and the continuation of traditions. Whether in biblical times or ancient China, the preservation of one’s cultural identity and legacy is achieved through the inheritance of practices, such as music, from one generation to the next.