וַתֹּוצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ דֶּ֠שֶׁא עֵ֣שֶׂב מַזְרִ֤יעַ זֶ֨רַע֙ לְמִינֵ֔הוּ וְעֵ֧ץ עֹֽשֶׂה־פְּרִ֛י אֲשֶׁ֥ר זַרְעֹו־בֹ֖ו לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים כִּי־טֹֽוב׃
地長出了青草，各從其類，結種子的蔬菜，和結果子的樹，果子裡有種子，各從其類。神看這是好的。
地长出了青草，各从其类，结种子的蔬菜，和结果子的树，果子里有种子，各从其类。神看这是好的。
Dì zhǎng chū le qīng cǎo, gè cóng qí lèi, jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài, hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù, guǒ zǐ lǐ yǒu zhǒng zǐ, gè cóng qí lèi. Shén kàn zhè shì hǎo de.
And the earth brought forth grass, the herb yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 地 | dì | Earth, ground | Noun |
| 長出 / 长出 | zhǎng chū | Bring forth, grow | Verb |
| 青草 | qīng cǎo | Grass | Noun |
| 各 | gè | Each | Pronoun |
| 從 / 从 | cóng | From | Preposition |
| 其類 / 其类 | qí lèi | Its kind | Noun phrase |
| 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 |
| 果子 | guǒ zǐ | Fruit | Noun |
| 裡 / 里 | lǐ | Inside | Preposition |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 地長出了青草 (dì zhǎng chū le qīng cǎo): Subject-verb-object structure describing the earth producing grass.
- 各從其類 (gè cóng qí lèi): Indicates that each kind reproduces according to its category, emphasizing natural order.
- 結種子的蔬菜 (jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài): Describes herbs yielding seeds.
- 和結果子的樹 (hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù): Refers to fruit-bearing trees, with 和 (hé): connecting it to the previous phrase.
Key Grammar Points:
- 長出 / 长出 (zhǎng chū): Indicates the action of growing or sprouting.
- 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Expresses organization according to kinds or categories.
- 結 / 结 (jié): Means “to bear” or “to produce,” as in bearing seeds or fruit.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Dì zhǎng chū le qīng cǎo, gè cóng qí lèi, jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài, hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù, guǒ zǐ lǐ yǒu zhǒng zǐ, gè cóng qí lèi. Shén kàn zhè shì hǎo de.
Tone Practice:
- 地 (dì): 4th tone (falling)
- 長出 / 长出 (zhǎng chū): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (high)
- 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising) + 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 結果 / 结果 (jiē guǒ): 1st tone (high) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 樹 / 树 (shù): 4th tone (falling)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 地 (dì): Refers to earth or ground, symbolizing the source of vegetation.
- 青草 (qīng cǎo): Represents grass, an early form of vegetation.
- 果子 (guǒ zǐ): Refers to fruit, a product of the trees.
- 種子 / 种子 (zhǒng zǐ): Symbolizes seeds, essential for reproduction and growth.
- 樹 / 树 (shù): Represents trees, emphasizing their fruit-bearing role.
- 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Refers to the classification of plants and trees according to their kinds, reflecting the orderliness of creation.
- 結 / 结 (jié): Indicates the action of bearing or producing, particularly related to seeds and fruit.
- 裡 / 里 (lǐ): Means “inside,” emphasizing the seed contained within the fruit.
5. Cultural Insights
- Order in Nature: The phrase 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): reflects a shared cultural value in both Hebrew and Chinese traditions, emphasizing the importance of categorization and harmony in the natural world.
- Reproduction and Sustainability: The focus on seeds (種子 / 种子) and fruit highlights the cyclical nature of life and the sustainability of creation, a key theme in agricultural societies.
- Grass and Trees: Grass (青草) and trees (樹 / 树) are symbolic of life and prosperity in both Chinese and Hebrew cultures, often associated with renewal and abundance.
- Goodness in Creation: God’s observation that creation was “good” (神看這是好的 / 神看这是好的) aligns with Chinese philosophical values of harmony and balance in the natural order.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 青草 (qīng cǎo): Imagine a lush, green meadow to recall the concept of grass.
- 種子 / 种子 (zhǒng zǐ): Visualize planting a seed and watching it grow into a plant or tree, representing the cycle of life.
- 果子 (guǒ zǐ): Picture a fruit-bearing tree with colorful fruits, each containing seeds for the next generation.
- 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Think of different species of plants and trees, each reproducing according to its kind, symbolizing order in creation.
- 樹 / 树 (shù): Envision a sturdy tree as a source of shade, fruit, and continuity of life.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַתֹּוצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ דֶּ֠שֶׁא (Vatotzei Ha’aretz Deshe): → 地長出了青草 (dì zhǎng chū le qīng cǎo): Both describe the earth bringing forth grass, indicating the sprouting of vegetation.
- עֵ֣שֶׂב מַזְרִ֤יעַ זֶ֨רַע (Esev Mazria Zera): → 結種子的蔬菜 (jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài): Both highlight herbs yielding seeds as part of creation.
- וְעֵ֧ץ עֹֽשֶׂה־פְּרִ֛י (Ve’etz Oseh Peri): → 和結果子的樹 (hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù): Both phrases refer to fruit-bearing trees.
- אֲשֶׁ֥ר זַרְעֹו־בֹ֖ו (Asher Zaro Vo): → 果子裡有種子 (guǒ zǐ lǐ yǒu zhǒng zǐ): Both emphasize the seed contained within the fruit.
- לְמִינֵ֔הוּ (Lemineihu): → 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Both express the classification of plants and trees according to their kinds.
- וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים כִּי־טֹֽוב (Vayar Elohim Ki Tov): → 神看這是好的 / 神看这是好的 (shén kàn zhè shì hǎo de): Both affirm that the creation was good, reflecting divine satisfaction.
- Comparison with English:
- The phrase “And the earth brought forth grass” corresponds to 地長出了青草 (dì zhǎng chū le qīng cǎo): Both describe the production of vegetation.
- “The herb yielding seed” aligns with 結種子的蔬菜 (jié zhǒng zǐ de shū cài): Both focus on herbs reproducing through seeds.
- “And the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself” mirrors 和結果子的樹，果子裡有種子 (hé jiē guǒ zǐ de shù, guǒ zǐ lǐ yǒu zhǒng zǐ): Both emphasize the reproductive capacity of fruit-bearing trees.
- “After its kind” corresponds to 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Both emphasize reproduction within specific categories or species.
- “And God saw that it was good” corresponds to 神看這是好的 / 神看这是好的 (shén kàn zhè shì hǎo de): Both express divine approval and satisfaction.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Grass and Herbs: Grass (青草) and herbs (蔬菜) are symbols of life and renewal in both Hebrew and Chinese cultures, often associated with sustenance and growth.
- Order in Nature: The classification of plants and trees (各從其類 / 各从其类) reflects Chinese philosophical values of harmony and natural order.
- Seeds and Fruits: The focus on seeds (種子 / 种子) and fruit-bearing trees (結果子的樹) resonates with agricultural practices in ancient China, emphasizing sustainability and cyclical life.
