וַיִּטַּ֞ע יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים גַּן־בְעֵ֖דֶן מִקֶּ֑דֶם וַיָּ֣שֶׂם שָׁ֔ם אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָצָֽר׃
耶和華上帝在東方的伊甸栽了一個園子，把他所造的人安置在那裡。
耶和华上帝在东方的伊甸栽了一个园子，把他所造的人安置在那里。
Yēhéhuá Shàngdì zài dōng fāng de Yī diàn zāi le yī gè yuán zi, bǎ tā suǒ zào de rén ān zhì zài nà lǐ.
The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 耶和華 / 耶和华 | Yēhéhuá | LORD | Proper noun |
| 上帝 | Shàngdì | God | Proper noun |
| 在 | zài | At, in | Preposition |
| 東方 / 东方 | dōng fāng | East | Noun |
| 伊甸 | Yī diàn | Eden | Proper noun |
| 栽 | zāi | Plant | Verb |
| 了 | le | Indicates completion | Particle |
| 一個 / 一个 | yī gè | One, a | Numeral + measure word |
| 園子 / 园子 | yuán zi | Garden | Noun |
| 把 | bǎ | Indicates the object of an action | Preposition |
| 所 | suǒ | Which, that | Particle |
| 造 | zào | Create, make | Verb |
| 人 | rén | Man, human | Noun |
| 安置 | ān zhì | Place, settle | Verb |
| 在那裡 / 在那里 | zài nà lǐ | There | Preposition + noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 耶和華上帝在東方的伊甸栽了一個園子 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì zài dōng fāng de Yī diàn zāi le yī gè yuán zi): Describes the LORD God planting a garden in Eden, in the east.
- 把他所造的人安置在那裡 (bǎ tā suǒ zào de rén ān zhì zài nà lǐ): Indicates God placing the man He had created into the garden.
Key Grammar Points:
- 在 (zài): Indicates location, meaning “at” or “in.”
- 栽了 (zāi le): A verb phrase meaning “planted,” with 了 (le) marking completion.
- 把 (bǎ): A preposition introducing the object being acted upon.
- 安置 (ān zhì): A verb meaning “to place” or “to settle,” indicating purposeful positioning.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Yēhéhuá Shàngdì zài dōng fāng de Yī diàn zāi le yī gè yuán zi, bǎ tā suǒ zào de rén ān zhì zài nà lǐ.
Tone Practice:
- 耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 上帝 (Shàngdì): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 在 (zài): 4th tone (falling)
- 東方 / 东方 (dōng fāng): 1st tone (flat) + 1st tone (flat)
- 伊甸 (Yī diàn): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 栽了 (zāi le): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
- 一個 / 一个 (yī gè): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
- 園子 / 园子 (yuán zi): 2nd tone (rising) + neutral tone
- 把 (bǎ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 所 (suǒ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 造 (zào): 4th tone (falling)
- 人 (rén): 2nd tone (rising)
- 安置 (ān zhì): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 在那裡 / 在那里 (zài nà lǐ): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 栽 (zāi): A verb meaning “to plant,” symbolizing careful and purposeful creation.
- 東方 / 东方 (dōng fāng): Refers to the east, indicating a specific geographical orientation.
- 安置 (ān zhì): Means “to place” or “to settle,” denoting deliberate placement.
- 伊甸 (Yī diàn): Refers to Eden, representing a place of delight and provision.
- 人 (rén): Refers to man, emphasizing humanity’s role in creation.
5. Cultural Insights
- Gardens as Sacred Spaces: The planting of a garden aligns with both Hebrew and Chinese traditions that view gardens as places of harmony and divine connection.
- Geographical Orientation: The mention of “east” resonates with Chinese cultural emphasis on directional significance and cosmology.
- Human Placement: The act of placing man in the garden reflects the idea of stewardship and purposeful living, a concept valued in both Hebrew and Chinese traditions.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 栽 (zāi): Picture a gardener planting trees and preparing the soil, symbolizing creation and care.
- 東方 / 东方 (dōng fāng): Imagine the rising sun in the east, illuminating a lush garden.
- 伊甸 (Yī diàn): Think of Eden as a paradise filled with peace and abundance.
- 安置 (ān zhì): Visualize carefully placing an object in its rightful place, symbolizing purpose and order.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיִּטַּ֞ע יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים (VaYitta YHWH Elohim): → 耶和華上帝栽了 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì zāi le): Both describe the LORD God planting a garden.
- בְעֵ֖דֶן מִקֶּ֑דֶם (BeEden MiQedem): → 在東方的伊甸 (zài dōng fāng de Yī diàn): Both indicate the garden’s location in Eden, to the east.
- וַיָּ֣שֶׂם שָׁ֔ם אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֖ם (VaYasem Sham Et-HaAdam): → 把他所造的人安置在那裡 (bǎ tā suǒ zào de rén ān zhì zài nà lǐ): Both describe God placing man in the garden.
- Comparison with English:
- “The LORD God planted a garden in Eden” corresponds to 耶和華上帝在東方的伊甸栽了一個園子 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì zài dōng fāng de Yī diàn zāi le yī gè yuán zi): Both highlight the act of planting a garden.
- “In the east” aligns with 東方 / 东方 (dōng fāng): Both specify the garden’s geographical location.
- “And there He put the man whom He had formed” matches 把他所造的人安置在那裡 (bǎ tā suǒ zào de rén ān zhì zài nà lǐ): Both describe man’s purposeful placement in the garden.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Gardens as Sacred Spaces: Both cultures view gardens as spaces of harmony, representing a connection between humanity and divinity.
- Directional Significance: The mention of “east” in both texts aligns with Chinese cosmological importance placed on directions, especially the east as a symbol of beginnings and renewal.
