וַֽיְחִי־שֵׁ֗ת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הֹולִידֹ֣ו אֶת־אֱנֹ֔ושׁ שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֔ים וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֥ולֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֹֽות׃
塞特在生了以挪士之後又活了八百七年，並且生兒養女。
塞特在生了以挪士之后又活了八百七年，并且生儿养女。
Sāitè zài shēngle Yǐnuòshì zhīhòu yòu huóle bābǎi qī nián, bìngqiě shēng ér yǎng nǚ.
Seth lived 807 years after he fathered Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 塞特 | Sāitè | Seth (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 在 | zài | After | Preposition |
| 生 | shēng | To give birth to | Verb |
| 了 | le | Particle indicating completed action | Particle |
| 以挪士 | Yǐnuòshì | Enosh (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 之後 / 之后 | zhīhòu | After | Adverbial phrase |
| 又 | yòu | Again | Adverb |
| 活了 | huóle | Lived | Verb |
| 八百七 | bābǎi qī | 807 | Numeral |
| 年 | nián | Years | Noun |
| 並且 / 并且 | bìngqiě | And also | Conjunction |
| 生 | shēng | To give birth | Verb |
| 兒 / 儿 | ér | Sons | Noun |
| 養 / 养 | yǎng | To rear | Verb |
| 女 | nǚ | Daughters | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): This phrase indicates something occurring after an event, in this case, Seth’s fathering of Enosh. Note the difference in Traditional (之後) and Simplified (之后) Chinese.
- 並且 / 并且 (bìngqiě): A conjunction used to add additional actions or events, emphasizing that Seth not only lived but also had other children. The difference in Traditional (並且) and Simplified (并且) Chinese is notable.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): [sāi tè] – “Sāi” has a high-level tone, and “tè” has a falling tone. Pronounce clearly with emphasis on tone differentiation.
- 生了 / 生了 (shēngle): [shēng le] – “Shēng” has a high-level tone, and “le” is a neutral tone, often lightly pronounced.
- 以挪士 / 以挪士 (Yǐnuòshì): [yǐ nuò shì] – “Yǐ” has a rising tone, “nuò” a falling tone, and “shì” another falling tone. Keep the tones distinct for proper clarity.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): [zhī hòu] – Both syllables have falling tones. Pronounce with a smooth flow but clear distinction.
- 並且 / 并且 (bìngqiě): [bìng qiě] – “Bìng” has a falling tone, and “qiě” a rising tone. The transition in tones should be fluid.
- 兒養女 / 儿养女 (ér yǎng nǚ): [ér yǎng nǚ] – “Ér” has a rising tone, “yǎng” a rising-falling tone, and “nǚ” a rising tone. Ensure the tones flow smoothly for proper meaning.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): Seth, representing the continuation of Adam’s line after Abel’s death.
- 以挪士 / 以挪士 (Yǐnuòshì): Enosh, Seth’s son, symbolizing the beginning of collective human worship and the invocation of God’s name.
- 並且 / 并且 (bìngqiě): “And also,” a conjunction emphasizing additional actions or events. This character reflects the compound nature of Chinese sentences.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): “After,” marking the sequence of events in a narrative. This term is crucial for understanding chronological progression in the text.
- 兒養女 / 儿养女 (ér yǎng nǚ): “Sons and daughters,” reflecting the continuation of the human lineage through reproduction and family development.
5. Cultural Insights
- Family Legacy: In both Chinese and biblical traditions, family lineage is crucial. The emphasis on Seth’s offspring signifies the importance of heritage and continuity, a theme deeply resonant in Chinese culture where ancestral lines are highly regarded.
- Chronological Narration: The text provides a clear timeline of events, reflecting the value of historical records in both the Bible and Chinese culture. This alignment highlights shared cultural appreciation for documentation and the preservation of legacy.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): Remember Seth as the son continuing Adam’s line. Think of the Chinese character “塞” as representing something filled, like the fulfillment of lineage.
- 以挪士 / 以挪士 (Yǐnuòshì): Enosh’s name marks the beginning of humanity’s organized worship. Recall “挪” as moving toward something, like humans moving toward God.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): A term indicating sequence, helping to visualize the continuation of events.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew text emphasizes the chronological and genealogical importance of Seth’s descendants, mirroring the narrative structure in the Chinese translation.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Narratives: The focus on family and legacy aligns with Confucian values, where filial piety and continuation of the family line are foundational principles.
8. Application
This passage encourages reflection on legacy, family, and the continuation of values across generations. In modern contexts, it reminds individuals of their role in shaping the future, not just through lineage but through the preservation and transmission of values, beliefs, and traditions. The narrative also emphasizes humanity’s growing relationship with God, inspiring readers to consider their spiritual journey and its impact on their communities.
