וַֽיְהִי־נֹ֕חַ בֶּן־חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֣ולֶד נֹ֔חַ אֶת־שֵׁ֖ם אֶת־חָ֥ם וְאֶת־יָֽפֶת׃
挪亞五百歲的時候，生了閃、含和雅弗。
挪亚五百岁的时候，生了闪、含和雅弗。
Nuóyà wǔbǎi suì de shíhòu, shēngle Shǎn, Hán hé Yǎfú.
When Noah was five hundred years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 挪亞 / 挪亚 | Nuóyà | Noah (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 五百 | wǔbǎi | Five hundred | Numeral |
| 歲 / 岁 | suì | Years old | Noun |
| 的 | de | Possessive particle | Particle |
| 時候 / 时候 | shíhòu | At the time of | Noun |
| 生 | shēng | To give birth to | Verb |
| 了 | le | Particle indicating completed action | Particle |
| 閃 / 闪 | Shǎn | Shem (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 含 | Hán | Ham (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 雅弗 | Yǎfú | Japheth (proper noun) | Proper noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): The proper name “Noah” is central to the story, marking the patriarch’s age and his role as the father of the three sons who would repopulate the earth after the flood.
- 五百 (wǔbǎi): The numeral phrase indicating Noah’s age at the time of his sons’ births.
- 生了 (shēngle): This verb construction shows a completed action, indicating that Noah had already fathered his sons.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): [nuó yà] – Both syllables have a rising tone.
- 五百 (wǔbǎi): [wǔ bǎi] – “Wǔ” has a rising tone, and “bǎi” has a low-falling tone.
- 閃 / 闪 (Shǎn): [shǎn] – Falling tone.
- 含 (Hán): [hán] – Rising tone.
- 雅弗 (Yǎfú): [yǎ fú] – “Yǎ” has a rising tone, and “fú” has a rising tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): Noah, a central figure in the biblical flood narrative.
- 閃 / 闪 (Shǎn): Shem, Noah’s son, considered the ancestor of many nations.
- 含 (Hán): Ham, Noah’s second son, representing another branch of humanity.
- 雅弗 (Yǎfú): Japheth, the third son of Noah, completing the trio.
5. Cultural Insights
- Noah’s Legacy: Noah’s age and the naming of his sons emphasize the patriarchal structure of ancient societies and the importance of lineage in biblical genealogies.
- Symbolism of Numbers: The mention of Noah’s age (500 years) reflects the extraordinary lifespans attributed to pre-flood generations in the Bible, symbolizing a closer connection to the divine.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): Think of Noah as the father of a new beginning after the flood.
- 閃 / 闪 (Shǎn): Shem, representing the ancestry of many biblical nations.
- 雅弗 (Yǎfú): Japheth, whose name signifies expansion, as he is considered the ancestor of many peoples.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew text specifies Noah’s age and his role as the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, emphasizing the generational transition. The Chinese translation mirrors this structure, maintaining fidelity to the source text.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture: Genealogies and family hierarchies are significant in both biblical and traditional Chinese cultures, highlighting the continuity of family lines and their importance in societal structures.
8. Application
This passage underscores the importance of legacy and generational responsibility. Noah’s fathering of Shem, Ham, and Japheth sets the stage for the survival and repopulation of humanity. It reminds us of the roles individuals play in shaping the future, particularly through nurturing and guiding the next generation.
