וַיֹּ֥ולֶד נֹ֖חַ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה בָנִ֑ים אֶת־שֵׁ֖ם אֶת־חָ֥ם וְאֶת־יָֽפֶת׃
挪亞生了三個兒子，閃、含和雅弗。
挪亚生了三个儿子，闪、含和雅弗。
Nuóyà shēngle sāngè érzi, Shǎn, Hán hé Yǎfú.
And Noah fathered three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 挪亞 / 挪亚 | Nuóyà | Noah (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 生了 | shēngle | Gave birth to | Verb |
| 三個 / 三个 | sān gè | Three | Number + Measure word |
| 兒子 / 儿子 | érzi | Son | Noun |
| 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): Proper noun referring to Noah, the central figure in this narrative.
- 生了 / 生了 (shēngle): Indicates a completed action, meaning “gave birth to” or “fathered.”
- 三個 / 三个 (sān gè): “Three” combined with a measure word for counting sons.
- 兒子 / 儿子 (érzi): “Sons,” pluralized in the context of the sentence.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): [nuó yà] – Rising tone for “nuó” and falling tone for “yà.”
- 三個 / 三个 (sān gè): [sān gè] – High-level tone for “sān” and neutral tone for “gè.”
- 雅弗 / 雅弗 (Yǎfú): [yǎ fú] – Rising tone for “yǎ” and rising tone for “fú.”
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): Noah, a righteous man who fathered three sons, each playing significant roles in human history.
- 三個 / 三个 (sān gè): The number “three,” representing the three sons born to Noah.
- 閃 / 闪 (Shǎn): Shem, representing one of Noah’s sons and a key figure in the genealogical narrative.
5. Cultural Insights
- Family Structure: In many ancient cultures, including those depicted in the Bible, lineage and familial roles were crucial. Noah’s naming of his sons reflects a patriarchal focus on continuity and heritage.
- Numerical Symbolism: The number three often holds symbolic significance in various traditions, representing completeness or divine order.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): Remember Noah as the central figure who fathered three sons crucial to the narrative of human history.
- 三個 / 三个 (sān gè): “Three” is easy to remember as it directly ties to Noah’s three sons.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיֹּ֥ולֶד נֹ֖חַ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה בָנִ֑ים אֶת־שֵׁ֖ם אֶת־חָ֥ם וְאֶת־יָֽפֶת׃ → Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
- Comparison with Chinese:
- The Chinese translation simplifies the structure but conveys the same familial focus, emphasizing Noah’s role as a father.
8. Application
This passage highlights the importance of family and continuity in both biblical and modern contexts. It reminds us of the foundational role of family in shaping history and society. In our lives, we can draw inspiration from Noah’s commitment to his family, recognizing the enduring impact of nurturing and leading the next generation.
The passage emphasizes Noah’s role as a central figure in humanity’s story, specifically as one chosen by God to preserve life amidst a corrupt world. The mention of his three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—sets the stage for the division and development of nations post-flood. This verse reminds us of the importance of family, legacy, and moral responsibility, as Noah’s sons will carry forward humanity’s story. It challenges us to reflect on our own familial roles and responsibilities, urging us to live in a way that ensures the continuation of values and life-giving principles for future generations.
On a broader level, the verse illustrates the concept of divine selection and grace, as Noah and his family are uniquely chosen to survive the impending judgment. In practical terms, it encourages modern readers to consider how they can align their actions with righteousness and cultivate a legacy that reflects God’s will in their own contexts.
