אֵ֚לֶּה תֹּולְדֹ֣ת נֹ֔חַ נֹ֗חַ אִ֥ישׁ צַדִּ֛יק תָּמִ֥ים הָיָ֖ה בְּדֹֽרֹתָ֑יו אֶת־הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים הִֽתְהַלֶּךְ־נֹֽחַ׃
以下是挪亞的後代：挪亞是個義人，在他的世代中完全，他與上帝同行。
以下是挪亚的后代：挪亚是个义人，在他的世代中完全，他与上帝同行。
Yǐxià shì Nuóyà de hòudài: Nuóyà shì gè yìrén, zài tā de shìdài zhōng wánquán, tā yǔ Shàngdì tóngxíng.
This is the account of Noah’s descendants: Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 以下 | yǐxià | Below; following | Adverb |
| 是 | shì | To be; is | Verb |
| 挪亞 / 挪亚 | Nuóyà | Noah (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 的 | de | Possessive particle | Particle |
| 後代 / 后代 | hòudài | Descendants | Noun |
| 義人 / 义人 | yìrén | Righteous man | Noun |
| 世代 | shìdài | Generation | Noun |
| 中 | zhōng | In; among | Preposition |
| 完全 | wánquán | Blameless; complete | Adjective |
| 與 / 与 | yǔ | With | Preposition |
| 上帝 | Shàngdì | God | Proper noun |
| 同行 | tóngxíng | To walk with | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): The proper noun “Noah” is central to this verse, highlighting his role as a key figure in the biblical narrative.
- 義人 / 义人 (yìrén): “Righteous man,” describing Noah’s moral and ethical standing in his generation.
- 完全 / 完全 (wánquán): “Blameless,” emphasizes Noah’s integrity and upright character.
- 與 / 与 (yǔ): The preposition “with,” used to express Noah’s close relationship with God.
- 同行 / 同行 (tóngxíng): “To walk with,” metaphorically illustrating Noah’s faithful and intimate walk with God.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): [Nuó yà] – Both syllables have rising tones. Keep the tones distinct for clarity.
- 義人 / 义人 (yìrén): [yì rén] – “Yì” has a falling tone, while “rén” has a rising tone.
- 完全 / 完全 (wánquán): [wán quán] – Both syllables have rising tones. Make sure to pronounce them smoothly.
- 上帝 / 上帝 (Shàngdì): [Shàng dì] – “Shàng” has a falling tone, while “dì” also has a falling tone.
- 同行 / 同行 (tóngxíng): [tóng xíng] – “Tóng” has a rising tone, and “xíng” also has a rising tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 義人 / 义人 (yìrén): Righteous man, signifying someone who is just, upright, and lives according to divine principles.
- 完全 / 完全 (wánquán): Blameless, indicating moral and spiritual integrity, crucial in describing Noah’s character.
- 與 / 与 (yǔ): With, emphasizing relational proximity, used here to illustrate Noah’s relationship with God.
- 同行 / 同行 (tóngxíng): To walk with, a metaphor for living in harmony with God’s will.
5. Cultural Insights
- The Concept of Righteousness: In both biblical and Chinese traditions, being a “righteous man” involves living according to high ethical and moral standards. Noah’s righteousness is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting divine approval.
- Walking with God: The phrase “walking with God” conveys deep spiritual fellowship, a concept cherished across many cultures, including Confucian ideals of harmony with heaven.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): Think of Noah as the righteous one who walked with God and was chosen to preserve humanity.
- 完全 / 完全 (wánquán): “Blameless” reminds us of the completeness and integrity that marked Noah’s life.
- 同行 / 同行 (tóngxíng): Picture Noah literally walking alongside God to remember the concept of spiritual alignment.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- אִ֥ישׁ צַדִּ֛יק תָּמִ֥ים: The Hebrew “a righteous man, blameless” aligns with the Chinese “義人” and “完全,” reflecting Noah’s upright character.
- הִֽתְהַלֶּךְ־נֹֽחַ: The Hebrew phrase “walked with God” is mirrored in the Chinese “與上帝同行,” capturing the essence of Noah’s spiritual journey.
- Comparison with English:
- The English “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation” echoes the themes of integrity and moral uprightness emphasized in both the Hebrew and Chinese texts.
- “Walked with God” reflects the intimate relationship Noah had with the divine, a universal concept shared across cultures and translations.
8. Application
Noah’s character as a righteous and blameless man who walked with God serves as an example of faithfulness amidst a corrupt generation. This passage challenges readers to examine their own lives and strive for righteousness and integrity, regardless of external circumstances. It also emphasizes the importance of cultivating a close relationship with God, serving as a reminder of the spiritual guidance available to those who seek it. Noah’s ability to remain upright in a morally declining world encourages us to stay firm in our principles and faith, no matter the pressures around us.
This passage also highlights the universal value of righteousness as seen in various cultural traditions. In a modern context, Noah’s walk with God can inspire individuals to seek alignment with their values, community, or spiritual beliefs. Whether through daily practices, meditation, or acts of kindness, the lesson of walking in harmony with divine or moral principles remains relevant today.
