וַתִּשָּׁחֵ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ לִפְנֵ֣י הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַתִּמָּלֵ֥א הָאָ֖רֶץ חָמָֽס׃
大地在神面前敗壞，大地滿了強暴。
大地在神面前败坏，大地满了强暴。
Dàdì zài Shén miànqián bàihuài, dàdì mǎnle qiángbào.
The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 大地 | Dàdì | The earth | Noun |
| 在 | zài | At; in | Preposition |
| 神 | Shén | God | Noun |
| 面前 | miànqián | Before; in front of | Noun |
| 敗壞 / 败坏 | bàihuài | Corrupt | Verb |
| 滿了 / 满了 | mǎnle | Filled with | Verb phrase |
| 強暴 / 强暴 | qiángbào | Violence | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 敗壞 / 败坏 (bàihuài): The verb means “to corrupt” or “to spoil,” indicating the moral and spiritual decay of the earth before God.
- 滿了 / 满了 (mǎnle): A verb phrase that means “filled with,” describing the extent of violence that dominated the earth.
- 面前 (miànqián): “Before” or “in front of,” signifying the accountability of the earth’s corruption directly in the presence of God.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 大地 (Dàdì): [dà dì] – Both syllables have a falling tone.
- 敗壞 / 败坏 (bàihuài): [bài huài] – Both syllables have a falling tone.
- 強暴 / 强暴 (qiángbào): [qiáng bào] – The first syllable has a rising tone, and the second has a falling tone.
4. Character Learning
- 大地 (Dàdì): Represents the physical earth and serves as the setting for the moral and spiritual corruption described in the verse.
- 敗壞 / 败坏 (bàihuài): Symbolizes decay and moral degradation, particularly in the context of humanity’s actions.
- 強暴 / 强暴 (qiángbào): Refers to violence, highlighting the physical and societal turmoil prevalent in the earth at the time.
5. Cultural Insights
- Themes of Corruption: In many cultures, including both Hebrew and Chinese traditions, corruption of the earth reflects humanity’s moral failings and estrangement from divine guidance.
- Violence as a Sign of Judgment: The filling of the earth with violence often precedes divine intervention in both biblical narratives and other ancient traditions, emphasizing the consequences of moral failure.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 敗壞 / 败坏 (bàihuài): Imagine a once beautiful garden spoiled and overrun by weeds, symbolizing the earth’s corruption.
- 強暴 / 强暴 (qiángbào): Picture a chaotic storm, representing the violence that engulfed the earth.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַתִּשָּׁחֵ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ (The earth was corrupt): The Hebrew emphasizes moral corruption, paralleling the Chinese term “敗壞 / 败坏” (bàihuài), which also conveys the idea of ruin and decay.
- וַתִּמָּלֵ֥א הָאָ֖רֶץ חָמָֽס (The earth was filled with violence): The phrase matches the Chinese rendering “滿了強暴 / 满了强暴,” focusing on the prevalence of physical and societal turmoil.
- Comparison with Chinese Thought:
- Moral Decay and Natural Order: Both the biblical and Chinese traditions emphasize the link between moral failure and its impact on the natural and social order.
- Accountability Before the Divine: The idea of corruption “before God” aligns with Chinese spiritual concepts of accountability before heaven or divine forces.
8. Application
This verse challenges readers to reflect on the consequences of unchecked moral and societal decay. It serves as a sobering reminder that collective corruption can lead to judgment and destruction. For modern readers, it prompts introspection about the state of the world and our role in fostering justice, peace, and righteousness. The phrase “filled with violence” invites us to consider how individual actions contribute to societal harmony or discord. By recognizing the impact of our choices, we are called to seek ways to align our lives with values that promote the flourishing of both humanity and the earth.
