וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כָּל־יְמֵי־שֵׁ֔ת שְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ ס
塞特共活了九百一十二年，就死了。
塞特共活了九百一十二年，就死了。
Sāitè gòng huóle jiǔbǎi yīshí’èr nián, jiù sǐle.
Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 塞特 | Sāitè | Seth (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 共 | gòng | Total, altogether | Adverb |
| 活 | huó | To live | Verb |
| 了 | le | Particle indicating completed action | Particle |
| 九百一十二 | jiǔbǎi yīshí’èr | 912 | Numeral |
| 年 | nián | Years | Noun |
| 就 | jiù | Then, just | Adverb |
| 死 | sǐ | To die | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 共 / 共 (gòng): Indicates the totality of Seth’s lifespan, summarizing the entire period he lived.
- 了 / 了 (le): A particle marking the completion of the action of living for 912 years.
- 就 / 就 (jiù): Indicates the sequence of events, showing that Seth’s death followed his lifespan.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): [sāi tè] – Emphasize the falling tone on “tè” to distinguish it clearly.
- 九百一十二 / 九百一十二 (jiǔbǎi yīshí’èr): [jiǔ bǎi yī shí ‘èr] – Break it into parts: “jiǔ” (falling), “bǎi” (falling-rising), “yī” (flat), “shí” (rising), “èr” (falling).
- 就 / 就 (jiù): [jiù] – A falling tone that conveys the immediacy or sequence.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): The proper noun for Seth, the son of Adam, representing the continuation of humanity.
- 共 / 共 (gòng): “Altogether,” highlighting the sum or total of Seth’s years.
- 九百一十二 / 九百一十二 (jiǔbǎi yīshí’èr): The numeric representation of 912, demonstrating how Chinese numbers are structured.
- 死 / 死 (sǐ): A verb meaning “to die,” used to conclude Seth’s narrative.
5. Cultural Insights
- Lifespan in Biblical Times: Seth’s lifespan reflects the extended longevity of early biblical figures, symbolizing their importance and the foundational stages of humanity.
- Numerical Precision: The exact count of years in the Bible aligns with Chinese cultural emphasis on detailed records and ancestral histories.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): Think of “Seth” as the bridge between Adam and the rest of humanity, representing a significant link in the lineage.
- 共 / 共 (gòng): The idea of “total” helps summarize Seth’s life, reinforcing the importance of his contribution.
- 九百一十二 / 九百一十二 (jiǔbǎi yīshí’èr): Visualize the number 912 as a marker of longevity and divine blessing in Seth’s life.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew text emphasizes the totality of Seth’s life, paralleling the clear numerical count in the Chinese translation.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture: Both traditions value precision in genealogical records, as seen in Seth’s detailed lifespan.
8. Application
Seth’s life highlights the importance of legacy and continuity in human history. Reflecting on the longevity of early figures like Seth can inspire us to consider our own contributions to future generations. In both biblical and cultural contexts, recording and respecting ancestry serves as a way to honor the past and guide the future.
