וַֽיְהִ֧י הַמַּבּ֛וּל אַרְבָּעִ֥ים יֹ֖ום עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיִּרְבּ֣וּ הַמַּ֗יִם וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ אֶת־הַתֵּבָ֔ה וַתָּ֖רָם מֵעַ֥ל הָאָֽרֶץ׃
洪水在地上四十天，水增多，把方舟浮起，抬升離開地面。
洪水在地上四十天，水增多，把方舟浮起，抬升离开地面。
Hóngshuǐ zài dìshàng sìshí tiān, shuǐ zēngduō, bǎ fāngzhōu fúqǐ, táishēng líkāi dìmiàn.
And the flood was forty days upon the earth, and the waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it was raised above the earth.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 洪水 | hóngshuǐ | Flood | Noun |
| 地上 | dìshàng | On the earth | Adverbial phrase |
| 四十天 | sìshí tiān | Forty days | Noun phrase |
| 增多 | zēngduō | To increase | Verb |
| 方舟 | fāngzhōu | Ark | Noun |
| 浮起 | fúqǐ | To float up | Verb |
| 抬升 | táishēng | To lift up | Verb |
| 離開 / 离开 | líkāi | To leave | Verb |
| 地面 | dìmiàn | Ground | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): “Flood,” the subject of the verse, sets the scene of rising waters.
- 增多 (zēngduō): Indicates the waters increasing in quantity, leading to the ark’s movement.
- 抬升 (táishēng): Emphasizes the upward motion of the ark, lifting it from the ground.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): [hóng shuǐ] – “Hóng” has a rising tone, and “shuǐ” has a falling-rising tone.
- 浮起 (fúqǐ): [fú qǐ] – “Fú” has a rising tone, and “qǐ” also has a rising tone.
- 地面 (dìmiàn): [dì miàn] – Both syllables have falling tones.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): Represents the destructive flood described in the story of Noah.
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): The ark, symbolizing salvation and divine provision.
- 地面 (dìmiàn): Ground or earth, highlighting the contrast between the ark being lifted and the destruction below.
5. Cultural Insights
- Flood Narratives: The biblical flood story parallels other ancient accounts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, where rising waters symbolize divine judgment and renewal.
- Symbolism of the Ark: The ark represents not just physical salvation but also faith and obedience to God amidst chaos.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): Visualize a massive deluge covering the earth, emphasizing the gravity of the event.
- 浮起 (fúqǐ): Imagine the ark slowly lifting as the waters rise, symbolizing hope amidst destruction.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיִּרְבּ֣וּ הַמַּ֗יִם: “The waters increased” corresponds to the Chinese “水增多,” both depicting the swelling of the floodwaters.
- וַתָּ֖רָם מֵעַ֥ל הָאָֽרֶץ: “Lifted above the earth” aligns with “抬升離開地面,” describing the ark’s ascent.
8. Application
This passage emphasizes the protective power of faith and obedience during crises. The ark’s rising above the waters symbolizes deliverance through divine guidance. In our lives, it encourages reliance on faith and resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges, trusting in a higher power to provide safety and direction.
