כִּ֥י שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם יֻקַּם־קָ֑יִן וְלֶ֖מֶךְ שִׁבְעִ֥ים וְשִׁבְעָֽה׃
因为该隐报仇七倍，勒梅赫报仇七十七倍。
因为该隐报仇七倍，勒梅赫报仇七十七倍。
Yīnwèi Gāi yǐn bào chóu qī bèi, Lèméihè bào chóu qī shí qī bèi.
And the Lord said, “Cain will be avenged seven times, and Lamech seventy-seven times.”
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 因为 / 因为 | yīnwèi | Because | Conjunction |
| 该隐 / 该隐 | Gāi yǐn | Cain (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 报仇 / 报仇 | bào chóu | Take revenge | Verb |
| 七倍 / 七倍 | qī bèi | Seven times | Adverbial phrase |
| 勒梅赫 / 勒梅赫 | Lèméihè | Lamech (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 七十七倍 / 七十七倍 | qī shí qī bèi | Seventy-seven times | Adverbial phrase |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 因为 / 因为 (yīnwèi): A conjunction meaning “because,” used to introduce the reason for the statement.
- 该隐 / 该隐 (Gāi yǐn): The proper noun “Cain,” the son of Adam and Eve, in the biblical context of the story.
- 报仇 / 报仇 (bào chóu): A verb meaning “to take revenge,” which is central to the passage, describing Cain’s desire for revenge.
- 七倍 / 七倍 (qī bèi): An adverbial phrase meaning “seven times,” describing the extent of vengeance that will fall upon Cain.
- 勒梅赫 / 勒梅赫 (Lèméihè): A proper noun referring to Lamech, a descendant of Cain who speaks about vengeance in the following verse.
- 七十七倍 / 七十七倍 (qī shí qī bèi): An adverbial phrase meaning “seventy-seven times,” used to indicate an even greater vengeance claimed by Lamech than Cain’s vengeance.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 该隐 / 该隐 (Gāi yǐn): [gāi yǐn] – Both syllables have rising tones, so make sure the pronunciation is clear and steady.
- 报仇 / 报仇 (bào chóu): [bào chóu] – The first syllable “bào” has a falling tone, while “chóu” has a rising tone.
- 七倍 / 七倍 (qī bèi): [qī bèi] – The first syllable “qī” has a high level tone, and “bèi” has a falling tone.
- 勒梅赫 / 勒梅赫 (Lèméihè): [lè méi hè] – “Lè” is pronounced with a falling tone, “méi” with a rising tone, and “hè” with a falling tone.
- 七十七倍 / 七十七倍 (qī shí qī bèi): [qī shí qī bèi] – The first syllable “qī” is high and level, and “shí” and “bèi” should be pronounced with a rising and falling tone, respectively.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 该隐 / 该隐 (Gāi yǐn): Refers to Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, known for committing the first murder in biblical history.
- 报仇 / 报仇 (bào chóu): A verb meaning “to take revenge,” which reflects the theme of vengeance in the passage.
- 七倍 / 七倍 (qī bèi): “Seven times,” which is used in the passage to describe the extent of vengeance Cain will face.
- 勒梅赫 / 勒梅赫 (Lèméihè): Lamech, a descendant of Cain, who claims an even greater vengeance than Cain’s, seventy-seven times.
- 七十七倍 / 七十七倍 (qī shí qī bèi): “Seventy-seven times,” which signifies an amplified version of vengeance in Lamech’s statement.
5. Cultural Insights
- The Concept of Vengeance: In both the biblical and Chinese contexts, vengeance plays a significant role in the relationship between individuals. The escalation from seven times to seventy-seven times of vengeance seen here is an example of the increasing intensity of retribution found in many ancient cultures, including Chinese. In Chinese history, the concept of vengeance, especially in the case of personal honor, is a recurrent theme where acts of revenge are justified, often leading to cycles of violence and retribution.
- The Role of Justice and Retribution: The Bible’s reference to vengeance reflects a justice system based on retaliation for wrongs, which is common in many ancient cultures, including China. Both cultures view justice through the lens of punishment for wrongdoing, and Lamech’s proclamation amplifies the magnitude of justice required in his mind, paralleling similar ideas in traditional Chinese law.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 该隐 / 该隐 (Gāi yǐn): “Cain” can be remembered as the first person to commit murder in the Bible, with his legacy tied to vengeance and conflict.
- 报仇 / 报仇 (bào chóu): “Revenge” can be remembered as a central theme in both the Bible and Chinese history, where retaliation plays a key role in conflict resolution.
- 七倍 / 七倍 (qī bèi): “Seven times” can be remembered as the extent of vengeance that Cain would experience, a phrase that symbolizes justice or punishment.
- 勒梅赫 / 勒梅赫 (Lèméihè): “Lamech” can be remembered as the figure who escalates vengeance, emphasizing the idea of excessive retaliation.
- 七十七倍 / 七十七倍 (qī shí qī bèi): “Seventy-seven times” can be remembered as an extreme form of vengeance, taking the concept of retribution to an exaggerated level.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- כִּ֥י שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם יֻקַּם־קָ֑יִן וְלֶ֖מֶךְ שִׁבְעִ֥ים וְשִׁבְעָֽה: → 因为该隐报仇七倍，勒梅赫报仇七十七倍。 The Hebrew text uses the phrase “seven times” to describe Cain’s vengeance, while Lamech’s vengeance is said to be “seventy-seven times.” The Chinese translation directly reflects this intensification of vengeance.
- Comparison with Chinese:
- The Theme of Vengeance and Justice: Both the Bible and Chinese culture emphasize the concept of retribution and justice. In the Bible, vengeance is framed as an escalating form of justice, with Lamech’s declaration marking an extreme version of this idea. Similarly, in Chinese tradition, the theme of vengeance often appears in stories of honor and retribution, where the idea of “an eye for an eye” or even greater retribution is common.
- Role of Numbers in Symbolism: The use of numbers, such as seven and seventy-seven, in this passage signifies completeness and perfection, which is a concept shared across both biblical and Chinese thought. In the Bible, the number seven often represents completion or perfection, and the escalation to seventy-seven suggests the idea of ultimate vengeance. In Chinese culture, numbers like seven also have symbolic meanings, often associated with life cycles or the fullness of time.
8. Application
This passage from the Bible, where Lamech speaks of his vengeance, invites reflection on the consequences of unchecked retaliation and the dangers of perpetuating cycles of violence. It teaches that even when retribution is justified, there can be an overemphasis on escalation, as seen in the number seventy-seven. This concept resonates in many cultural contexts, including Chinese, where personal honor, vengeance, and justice play significant roles. Lamech’s declaration serves as a cautionary reminder that vengeance, while sometimes perceived as necessary, can lead to further harm and escalation, rather than resolution. In today’s context, it challenges us to consider how we handle conflicts and whether we choose forgiveness over revenge.
