וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּ הַמַּ֖יִם עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת יֹֽום׃
水勢在地上增強了一百五十天。
水势在地上增强了一百五十天。
Shuǐshì zài dìshàng zēngqiángle yībǎi wǔshí tiān.
The waters prevailed on the earth for one hundred and fifty days.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 水勢 / 水势 | shuǐshì | The force of the water | Noun |
| 在 | zài | “on” or “at” | A preposition indicates location |
| 地上 | dìshàng | on the earth | Adverbial phrase. Prepositional phrase indicating where the action takes place. |
| 增強 / 增强 | zēngqiáng | To prevail, to strengthen | Verb |
| 一百五十天 | yībǎi wǔshí tiān | One hundred and fifty days | Time expression |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 水勢 / 水势 (shuǐshì): Refers to the intensity or force of the water, emphasizing its dominance.
- 增強 / 增强 (zēngqiáng): Means “to increase” or “to prevail,” indicating the ongoing and overwhelming nature of the waters.
- 一百五十天 (yībǎi wǔshí tiān): A specific duration, expressed as “one hundred and fifty days.”
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 水勢 / 水势 (shuǐshì): [shuǐ shì] – “Shuǐ” has a falling-rising tone, and “shì” has a falling tone.
- 增強 / 增强 (zēngqiáng): [zēng qiáng] – “Zēng” has a high-level tone, and “qiáng” has a rising tone.
- 地上 (dìshàng): [dì shàng] – Both syllables have falling tones, indicating emphasis.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 水勢 / 水势 (shuǐshì): Represents the overwhelming and destructive force of the floodwaters.
- 增強 / 增强 (zēngqiáng): Indicates the strengthening or prevailing power of the waters.
- 地上 (dìshàng): Refers to the physical earth, emphasizing the scope of the flood’s impact.
5. Cultural Insights
- Flood Narratives: Both Hebrew and Chinese cultures have flood stories, such as the Hebrew account of Noah’s Ark and the Chinese story of “大禹治水” (Dà Yǔ Zhì Shuǐ), where the hero Yu controls the floodwaters, emphasizing divine or heroic intervention in overwhelming natural disasters.
- Numerical Symbolism: In Chinese culture, numbers often carry symbolic meaning. While “150 days” is a factual period here, numbers like 100 and 50 can signify completeness and half-completion, mirroring the gradual cessation of chaos.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 水勢 / 水势 (shuǐshì): Visualize the waters dominating the earth, emphasizing their unstoppable force.
- 增強 / 增强 (zēngqiáng): Imagine the waters continuously rising and strengthening, covering everything.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew term *וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּ* (way-yigbərū) conveys the idea of the waters prevailing, which aligns closely with the Chinese “增強” (zēngqiáng), emphasizing their overwhelming dominance.
- Comparison with Chinese: In Chinese flood narratives, water often represents chaos and destruction but also renewal. This mirrors the biblical flood as a means of cleansing and restarting creation.
8. Application
This verse emphasizes the magnitude of the flood, symbolizing judgment and purification. It invites reflection on the destructive power of natural forces and humanity’s vulnerability. In modern contexts, it highlights the importance of environmental stewardship and preparedness in the face of natural disasters. The perseverance of Noah and the ark serves as a reminder of hope and resilience amid overwhelming challenges.
