חֲמֵ֨שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה אַמָּה֙ מִלְמַ֔עְלָה גָּבְר֖וּ הַמָּ֑יִם וַיְכֻסּ֖וּ הֶהָרִֽים׃
水勢漲高了十五肘，淹沒了群山。
水势涨高了十五肘，淹没了群山。
Shuǐ shì zhǎng gāo le shí wǔ zhǒu, yān mò le qún shān.
The waters rose fifteen cubits above, and the mountains were covered.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 水勢 / 水势 | shuǐ shì | Water force | Noun |
| 漲高 / 涨高 | zhǎng gāo | Rose higher | Verb |
| 十五 | shí wǔ | Fifteen | Numeral |
| 肘 | zhǒu | Cubit (ancient measurement) | Noun |
| 淹沒 / 淹没 | yān mò | To submerge | Verb |
| 群山 | qún shān | Mountains | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 水勢漲高 / 水势涨高 (shuǐ shì zhǎng gāo): This phrase describes the waters’ significant rise above the previous levels.
- 十五肘: “Fifteen cubits” specifies the measurement of the waters’ height above the mountains.
- 淹沒了 / 淹没了 (yān mò le): Indicates the complete submersion of the mountains, signifying the flood’s vastness.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 水勢 / 水势 (shuǐ shì): [shuǐ shì] – “Shuǐ” has a falling-rising tone, and “shì” has a falling tone.
- 漲高 / 涨高 (zhǎng gāo): [zhǎng gāo] – “Zhǎng” has a falling-rising tone, and “gāo” has a high-level tone.
- 群山: [qún shān] – “Qún” has a rising tone, and “shān” has a high-level tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 水勢 / 水势 (shuǐ shì): “Water force,” emphasizing the power and intensity of the floodwaters.
- 漲高 / 涨高 (zhǎng gāo): “Rose higher,” visualizing the continuous rise of the floodwaters.
- 淹沒 / 淹没 (yān mò): “Submerged,” highlighting the overwhelming effect of the flood.
- 群山: “Mountains,” representing the last bastion of the natural world overtaken by the waters.
5. Cultural Insights
- Symbolism of Floods: In Chinese culture, floods are symbolic of chaos and a need for restoration, as seen in Yu the Great’s legendary flood control efforts. Similarly, the biblical flood symbolizes divine judgment and renewal.
- Mountains in Chinese Culture: Mountains hold spiritual significance, often viewed as sacred spaces or dwelling places of immortals. The submersion of mountains in this context illustrates the absolute dominion of divine judgment over nature.
- Measurement Systems: Both biblical and ancient Chinese texts use precise measurements like cubits or zhang to emphasize the magnitude of historical events.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 水勢漲高 / 水势涨高 (shuǐ shì zhǎng gāo): Visualize water rising persistently higher, overwhelming the tallest peaks.
- 淹沒 / 淹没 (yān mò): Picture the disappearance of mountains beneath relentless waves.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew text “חֲמֵ֨שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה אַמָּה֙ מִלְמַ֔עְלָה גָּבְר֖וּ הַמָּ֑יִם וַיְכֻסּ֖וּ הֶהָרִֽים׃” aligns with the Chinese text in describing the overwhelming dominance of the waters, covering even the mountains.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture: Both traditions emphasize the transformative power of natural disasters. In Chinese mythology, floods represent chaos requiring divine or human intervention, such as Yu the Great’s flood control, paralleling Noah’s role in preserving life amidst the flood.
8. Application
This passage highlights the overwhelming power of natural forces and the vulnerability of human existence. It prompts reflection on the balance between divine judgment and mercy. Drawing from Chinese culture, it also reminds us of humanity’s role in responding to chaos with resilience and ingenuity, symbolized by both Noah and Yu the Great. Such stories inspire a sense of responsibility and humility in facing life’s challenges.
