וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ דֶּ֔שֶׁא עֵ֚שֶׂב מַזְרִ֣יעַ זֶ֔רַע עֵ֣ץ פְּרִ֞י עֹ֤שֶׂה פְּרִי֙ לְמִינֹ֔ו אֲשֶׁ֥ר זַרְעֹו־בֹ֖ו עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
神說：「地要長出青草，結種子的蔬菜，和結果子的樹，各從其類，果子裡有種子。」事情就這樣成了。
神说：「地要长出青草，结种子的蔬菜，和结果子的树，各从其类，果子里有种子。」事情就这样成了。
Shén shuō: “Dì yào zhǎng chū qīng cǎo, jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài, hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù, gè cóng qí lèi, guǒ zǐ lǐ yǒu zhǒng zǐ.” Shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le.
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth.” And it was so.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 神 | shén | God | Subject noun |
| 說 / 说 | shuō | Say | Verb |
| 地 | dì | Earth, ground | Noun |
| 長出 / 长出 | zhǎng chū | Bring forth, grow | Verb |
| 青草 | qīng cǎo | Grass | Noun |
| 結 / 结 | jié | Produce, bear | Verb |
| 種子 / 种子 | zhǒng zǐ | Seed | Noun |
| 蔬菜 | shū cài | Herb, vegetable | Noun |
| 結果 / 结果 | jiē guǒ | Bear fruit | Verb |
| 樹 / 树 | shù | Tree | Noun |
| 各 | gè | Each | Pronoun |
| 從 / 从 | cóng | From | Preposition |
| 其類 / 其类 | qí lèi | Its kind | Noun phrase |
| 果子 | guǒ zǐ | Fruit | Noun |
| 裡 / 里 | lǐ | Inside | Preposition |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 地要長出青草 (dì yào zhǎng chū qīng cǎo): Subject-verb-object structure, indicating the command for the earth to produce grass.
- 結種子的蔬菜 (jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài): Describes herbs yielding seeds, with 結 / 结 (jié): “produce” linking the herb to its seed.
- 和結果子的樹 (hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù): Describes fruit-bearing trees, using 和 (hé): “and” for conjunction.
- 各從其類 (gè cóng qí lèi): Specifies reproduction according to kinds.
Key Grammar Points:
- 要 (yào): Indicates a command or necessity, equivalent to “let” in English.
- 從 / 从 (cóng): Means “from,” often used to describe origin or category.
- 其類 / 其类 (qí lèi): Refers to “its kind,” emphasizing organized reproduction.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Shén shuō: “Dì yào zhǎng chū qīng cǎo, jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài, hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù, gè cóng qí lèi, guǒ zǐ lǐ yǒu zhǒng zǐ.” Shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le.
Tone Practice:
- 神 (shén): 2nd tone (rising)
- 地 (dì): 4th tone (falling)
- 長出 / 长出 (zhǎng chū): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (high)
- 青草 (qīng cǎo): 1st tone (high) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising) + 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 地 (dì): Refers to earth or ground, central to the context of creation.
- 青草 (qīng cǎo): Means “grass,” representing vegetation on the earth.
- 果子 (guǒ zǐ): Refers to “fruit,” a key element of reproduction and sustenance.
- 種子 / 种子 (zhǒng zǐ): Represents “seed,” emphasizing the cycle of reproduction and growth.
- 樹 / 树 (shù): Refers to “tree,” symbolizing stability and fruit-bearing capability.
- 類 / 类 (lèi): Means “kind” or “category,” indicating the organization of species.
5. Cultural Insights
- Vegetation and Reproduction: In both Hebrew and Chinese traditions, vegetation is a symbol of life, sustenance, and divine provision. The emphasis on seeds reflects a deep understanding of reproduction and continuity in nature.
- Order in Creation: The phrase 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): aligns with the cultural value of categorization and orderliness in both traditions, emphasizing the natural laws governing life.
- Fruits and Seeds: Fruits (果子) containing seeds (種子 / 种子) highlight the principle of self-sustainability, a concept valued in agricultural societies like ancient China and Israel.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 青草 (qīng cǎo): Visualize a field of lush green grass sprouting from the earth.
- 種子 / 种子 (zhǒng zǐ): Imagine a tiny seed growing into a plant, representing the cycle of life.
- 果子 (guǒ zǐ): Picture a tree laden with fruits, each containing seeds for the next generation.
- 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Think of different plants and trees, each producing its own kind of seed and fruit, ensuring order in creation.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א הָאָ֨רֶץ דֶּ֔שֶׁא (Tadshe Ha’aretz Deshe): → 地要長出青草 (dì yào zhǎng chū qīng cǎo): Both describe the command for the earth to bring forth grass, indicating the sprouting of vegetation.
- עֵ֚שֶׂב מַזְרִ֣יעַ זֶ֔רַע (Esev Mazria Zera): → 結種子的蔬菜 (jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài): Both refer to herbs yielding seeds, emphasizing reproduction.
- עֵ֣ץ פְּרִ֞י עֹ֤שֶׂה פְּרִי֙ (Etz Peri Oseh Peri): → 和結果子的樹 (hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù): Both highlight fruit-bearing trees as part of creation.
- לְמִינֹ֔ו (Lemino): → 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Both express the organization of species according to their kinds.
- וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן (Vayehi Ken): → 事情就這樣成了 / 事情就这样成了 (shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le): Both affirm the fulfillment of God’s command.
- Comparison with English:
- The phrase “Let the earth bring forth grass” corresponds to 地要長出青草 (dì yào zhǎng chū qīng cǎo): Both describe the earth’s production of vegetation.
- “The herb yielding seed” aligns with 結種子的蔬菜 (jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài): Both emphasize the reproduction of herbs through seeds.
- “And the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind” corresponds to 和結果子的樹，各從其類 (hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù, gè cóng qí lèi): Both phrases highlight the organization and reproduction of trees and fruits.
- “And it was so” is translated as 事情就這樣成了 / 事情就这样成了 (shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le): Both express the successful completion of the divine command.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Grass and Herbs: In Chinese culture, vegetation such as grass (青草) and herbs (蔬菜) symbolize growth, renewal, and life.
- Order in Nature: The phrase 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): aligns with Chinese values of harmony and categorization, reflecting an orderly natural world.
- Seeds and Fruits: The concept of seeds (種子 / 种子) and fruit-bearing trees (結果子的樹) resonates with agricultural practices in ancient China, emphasizing sustainability and self-propagation.
