Genesis 5:5

וַיִּֽהְי֞וּ כָּל־יְמֵ֤י אָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁר־חַ֔י תְּשַׁ֤ע מֵאֹות֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ ס

亞當一生共有九百三十年,然後他死了。

亚当一生共有九百三十年,然后他死了。

Yàdāng yīshēng gòngyǒu jiǔbǎi sānshí nián, ránhòu tā sǐle.

Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.

1. Vocabulary Breakdown

Chinese Character Pinyin Meaning Grammar Role
亞當 / 亚当 Yàdāng Adam Proper noun
一生 yīshēng Lifetime Noun
共有 gòngyǒu Totaled Verb
九百三十 jiǔbǎi sānshí 930 Numeral
nián Years Noun
然後 / 然后 ránhòu Then Conjunction
He Pronoun
死了 sǐle Died Verb + particle

2. Grammar Explanation

  • 共有 (gòngyǒu): Indicates the total amount, summarizing the years Adam lived.
  • 九百三十年 (jiǔbǎi sānshí nián): A specific time duration in years.
  • 然後 / 然后 (ránhòu): Used to show a sequence of events, “and then.”

3. Pronunciation Practice

  • 亞當 / 亚当 (Yàdāng): [yà dāng] – “Yà” has a falling tone, and “dāng” has a level tone.
  • 共有 (gòngyǒu): [gòng yǒu] – “Gòng” has a falling tone, and “yǒu” has a rising tone.
  • 然後 / 然后 (ránhòu): [rán hòu] – “Rán” has a rising tone, and “hòu” has a falling tone.

4. Character Learning

  • 亞當 / 亚当 (Yàdāng): Adam, the first human created, whose longevity signifies early human life in biblical tradition.
  • 九百三十 (jiǔbǎi sānshí): Reflects the extraordinary lifespan of Adam, highlighting the distinctiveness of early biblical figures.

5. Cultural Insights

  • Longevity in Biblical Texts: Adam’s lifespan of 930 years reflects the biblical tradition of long lives for early patriarchs, symbolizing their close connection to divine creation.
  • Legacy and Mortality: Despite Adam’s extraordinary age, his death underscores the human condition of mortality, a theme deeply explored in both biblical and Chinese philosophies.

6. Mnemonics for Retention

  • 亞當 / 亚当 (Yàdāng): Think of Adam as the first human, embodying the beginning of humanity’s journey.
  • 九百三十 (jiǔbǎi sānshí): Remember this extraordinary number to emphasize the uniqueness of biblical lifespans.

7. Comparative Studies

  • Comparison with Hebrew: “וַיִּֽהְי֞וּ כָּל־יְמֵ֤י אָדָם֙” aligns with “亞當一生共有,” showing a direct match in meaning between the Hebrew and Chinese texts.
  • Comparison with Chinese Philosophy: The emphasis on age and legacy mirrors traditional Chinese values of venerating ancestors and recognizing their contributions to humanity’s continuity.

8. Application

This verse invites reflection on the passage of time, the importance of legacy, and the inevitability of mortality. Adam’s life reminds us of the value of using our time meaningfully to contribute to the world and leave a positive impact for future generations.

 

 

By moxi

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