וַֽיְחִ֥י אֱנֹ֖ושׁ תִּשְׁעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֖ולֶד אֶת־קֵינָֽן׃
以挪士活到九十歲，生了該南。
以挪士活到九十岁，生了该南。
Yǐnuòshì huódào jiǔshí suì, shēngle Gāinán.
Enosh lived ninety years and fathered Kenan.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 以挪士 | Yǐnuòshì | Enosh (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 活到 | huódào | Lived until | Verb |
| 九十 | jiǔshí | Ninety | Numeral |
| 歲 / 岁 | suì | Years (of age) | Noun |
| 生了 | shēngle | Gave birth to, fathered | Verb |
| 該南 / 该南 | Gāinán | Kenan (proper noun) | Proper noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 活到 / 活到 (huódào): This verb phrase indicates living until a certain age, in this case, ninety years.
- 生了 / 生了 (shēngle): The verb “shēng” means “to give birth to” or “to father,” and the particle “le” indicates the completion of this action.
- 九十 / 九十 (jiǔshí): A numeral denoting ninety, highlighting the age of Enosh at the time of Kenan’s birth.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 以挪士 / 以挪士 (Yǐnuòshì): [yǐ nuò shì] – “Yǐ” has a rising tone, “nuò” has a falling tone, and “shì” has a falling tone.
- 九十 / 九十 (jiǔshí): [jiǔ shí] – “Jiǔ” has a falling-rising tone, and “shí” has a rising tone.
- 該南 / 该南 (Gāinán): [gāi nán] – “Gāi” has a high-level tone, and “nán” has a rising tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 以挪士 / 以挪士 (Yǐnuòshì): Enosh, the son of Seth, representing the continuation of the human line.
- 九十 / 九十 (jiǔshí): The number ninety, showing Enosh’s age when he fathered Kenan.
- 該南 / 该南 (Gāinán): Kenan, the son of Enosh, whose name marks the continuation of humanity’s lineage.
5. Cultural Insights
- Longevity in Biblical Times: Enosh’s age reflects the longevity of early patriarchs, a hallmark of biblical genealogy and divine blessing.
- Name Significance: The name Kenan carries cultural and genealogical importance, underscoring the role of names in preserving lineage and history.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 以挪士 / 以挪士 (Yǐnuòshì): Remember Enosh as the bridge between Seth and future generations, representing humanity’s perseverance.
- 該南 / 该南 (Gāinán): Kenan’s name signifies the ongoing lineage, emphasizing the importance of family continuity.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew and Chinese texts both emphasize Enosh’s age and his role in fathering Kenan, maintaining the precision of genealogical records.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture: In both traditions, recording the age of individuals at key life events reflects a respect for ancestry and historical continuity.
8. Application
Enosh’s life and the birth of Kenan highlight the importance of legacy and family in human history. Reflecting on the detailed genealogical records in the Bible can inspire us to value our own heritage and consider the impact of our actions on future generations.
