וַֽיְהִי֙ כָּל־יְמֵי־לֶ֔מֶךְ שֶׁ֤בַע וְשִׁבְעִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁבַ֥ע מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ ס
拉麥共活了七百七十七年，然後死了。
拉麦共活了七百七十七年，然后死了。
Lāmài gòng huóle qībǎi qīshíqī nián, ránhòu sǐle.
Lamech lived a total of seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and then he died.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 拉麥 / 拉麦 | Lāmài | Lamech (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 共 | gòng | Total, altogether | Adverb |
| 活 | huó | To live | Verb |
| 七百七十七 | qībǎi qīshíqī | Seven hundred and seventy-seven | Numeral |
| 年 | nián | Year | Noun |
| 然後 / 然后 | ránhòu | Then, after that | Conjunction |
| 死 | sǐ | To die | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): Proper noun referring to Lamech, a descendant of Adam and father of Noah.
- 共 (gòng): This adverb emphasizes the total duration of Lamech’s life.
- 七百七十七 (qībǎi qīshíqī): Numeral phrase indicating Lamech’s age at the time of his death.
- 然後 / 然后 (ránhòu): Conjunction that shows the sequence of events—Lamech lived, and then he died.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): [lā mài] – “Lā” has a high-level tone, and “mài” has a falling tone.
- 共 (gòng): [gòng] – A falling tone indicates emphasis on the totality.
- 七百七十七 (qībǎi qīshíqī): [qī bǎi qī shí qī] – Maintain clear enunciation of each syllable and the falling tone for “shí.”
- 然後 / 然后 (ránhòu): [rán hòu] – “Rán” has a rising tone, and “hòu” has a falling tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): Refers to Lamech, an important figure in the genealogy leading to Noah.
- 共 (gòng): Means “total” or “altogether,” summarizing the span of Lamech’s life.
- 然後 / 然后 (ránhòu): Indicates the sequence of events, emphasizing the chronological flow of the narrative.
5. Cultural Insights
- Longevity in Biblical Times: The long lifespans in the genealogies of Genesis, including Lamech’s, are symbolic of a pre-flood era where humanity had a closer relationship with God. This concept of extended life has parallels in various ancient cultures that view longevity as a sign of divine blessing.
- Numerical Symbolism: The number 777 is often considered significant in biblical numerology, representing completion or divine perfection.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): Think of Lamech as Noah’s father and a key figure leading to the flood narrative.
- 七百七十七 (qībǎi qīshíqī): Remember the number 777 as symbolic of divine completion or perfection.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew text highlights Lamech’s age and death, which the Chinese translation faithfully reflects, maintaining both the order and significance of the events.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture: The emphasis on Lamech’s long life mirrors Chinese cultural respect for longevity, often viewed as a blessing and a sign of virtue or favor from heaven.
8. Application
This passage invites reflection on the significance of life and legacy. Lamech’s long life, ending just before the flood narrative, symbolizes the transition between the pre-flood world and Noah’s pivotal role. In modern times, this can encourage us to consider how our lives and actions contribute to the legacies we leave for future generations.
