Genesis 1:15

וְהָי֤וּ לִמְאֹורֹת֙ בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃

它們要作為天穹中的光體，用來照亮地面。事情就這樣成了。

它们要作为天穹中的光体，用来照亮地面。事情就这样成了。

Tāmen yào zuò wéi tiān qióng zhōng de guāng tǐ, yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn. Shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le.

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

1. Vocabulary Breakdown

Chinese Character	Pinyin	Meaning	Grammar Role
它們 / 它们	tāmen	They (non-human objects)	Pronoun
要	yào	Want, will, need to	Verb
作為 / 作为	zuò wéi	Serve as	Verb
天穹	tiān qióng	Firmament, heavens	Noun
光體 / 光体	guāng tǐ	Light body, light	Noun
用來 / 用来	yòng lái	Used for	Verb phrase
照亮	zhào liàng	Illuminate	Verb
地面	dì miàn	Ground, earth’s surface	Noun
事情	shìqíng	Thing, matter	Noun
就	jiù	Thus, then	Adverb
這樣 / 这样	zhè yàng	In this way	Adverbial phrase
成了	chéng le	Was accomplished	Verb phrase

2. Grammar Explanation

Sentence Structure:

• 它們要作為天穹中的光體 (tāmen yào zuò wéi tiān qióng zhōng de guāng tǐ): Subject-verb-object structure describing the lights in the firmament.
• 用來照亮地面 (yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn): Describes the purpose of the lights as illuminating the earth.
• 事情就這樣成了 (shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le): Declares the fulfillment of the command.

Key Grammar Points:

• 它們 / 它们 (tāmen): Refers to non-human objects, in this case, the celestial lights.
• 作為 / 作为 (zuò wéi): Means “serve as” or “function as,” introducing the purpose of the lights.
• 用來 / 用来 (yòng lái): Indicates purpose, equivalent to “used for” in English.
• 照亮 (zhào liàng): Means “illuminate” or “give light.”

3. Pronunciation Practice

Pinyin: Tāmen yào zuò wéi tiān qióng zhōng de guāng tǐ, yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn. Shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le.

Tone Practice:

• 它們 / 它们 (tāmen): 1st tone (high) + neutral tone
• 作為 / 作为 (zuò wéi): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
• 光體 / 光体 (guāng tǐ): 1st tone (high) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
• 照亮 (zhào liàng): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
• 地面 (dì miàn): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)

4. Character Learning

Key Characters:

• 光體 / 光体 (guāng tǐ): Represents celestial lights, essential for illumination.
• 用來 / 用来 (yòng lái): Indicates purpose or usage, linking the action to its function.
• 照亮 (zhào liàng): Refers to the act of illuminating or making bright.
• 地面 (dì miàn): Refers to the earth’s surface or ground, the target of the light.
• 事情 (shìqíng): Represents the “thing” or “event,” emphasizing the completion of the command.

• 這樣 / 这样 (zhè yàng): Means “in this way” or “thus,” used to emphasize the manner or result of an action.
• 成了 (chéng le): Means “was accomplished” or “was completed,” indicating the fulfillment of the command.

5. Cultural Insights

• Illumination as a Symbol: In both Hebrew and Chinese traditions, light is often a symbol of life, knowledge, and divine presence. The command for lights to illuminate the earth highlights their practical and symbolic roles.
• Firmament’s Role: The term 天穹 (tiān qióng): in Chinese and רָקִיעַ (raqia): in Hebrew reflects a shared understanding of the sky as a divine space organizing creation.
• Completion of Commands: The phrase 事情就這樣成了 / 事情就这样成了 (shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le): mirrors the Hebrew וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן (Vayehi Ken): emphasizing divine authority and the certainty of outcomes in both traditions.

6. Mnemonics for Retention

• 光體 / 光体 (guāng tǐ): Visualize the sun, moon, and stars brightly illuminating the sky to remember their purpose.
• 用來 / 用来 (yòng lái): Picture a tool being used for a specific purpose, connecting the action to its intent.
• 照亮 (zhào liàng): Imagine light spreading across a dark landscape, symbolizing the role of the celestial bodies.
• 事情 (shìqíng): Recall a task being completed, symbolizing the fulfillment of a plan or command.

7. Comparative Studies

• • Comparison with Hebrew:
    • וְהָי֤וּ לִמְאֹורֹת֙ בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (Vehayu Lime’orot Birqia HaShamayim): → 它們要作為天穹中的光體 (tāmen yào zuò wéi tiān qióng zhōng de guāng tǐ): Both describe the role of lights in the firmament.
    • לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ (Leha’ir Al Ha’aretz): → 用來照亮地面 (yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn): Both express the purpose of giving light to the earth.
    • 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 successful fulfillment of the command.
  • Comparison with English:
    • The phrase “And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven” corresponds to 它們要作為天穹中的光體 (tāmen yào zuò wéi tiān qióng zhōng de guāng tǐ): Both describe the lights’ location and role.
    • “To give light upon the earth” mirrors 用來照亮地面 (yòng lái zhào liàng dì miàn): Both emphasize the purpose of the lights in illuminating the earth.
    • “And it was so” aligns with 事情就這樣成了 / 事情就这样成了 (shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le): Both phrases highlight the accomplishment of the command.
  • Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
    • Light as a Guiding Force: In Chinese philosophy, light often symbolizes clarity, life, and harmony, mirroring its symbolic importance in the Hebrew tradition.
    • Purpose and Function: The phrase 用來 / 用来 (yòng lái): reflects a practical approach to the function of celestial lights, much like the Hebrew narrative’s focus on their roles.
    • Completion: The affirmation 事情就這樣成了 / 事情就这样成了 (shìqíng jiù zhè yàng chéng le): parallels the Hebrew emphasis on divine authority and the inevitable fulfillment of God’s commands.