וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים תֹּוצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ נֶ֤פֶשׁ חַיָּה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ בְּהֵמָ֥ה וָרֶ֛מֶשׂ וְחַֽיְתֹו־אֶ֖רֶץ לְמִינָ֑הּ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
神說：「地要生出各種活物，就是牲畜、爬行動物和地上的野獸，各從其類。」事就這樣成了。
神说：「地要生出各种活物，就是牲畜、爬行动物和地上的野兽，各从其类。」事就这样成了。
Shén shuō: “Dì yào shēng chū gè zhǒng huó wù, jiù shì shēng chù, pá xíng dòng wù hé dì shàng de yě shòu, gè cóng qí lèi.” Shì jiù zhè yàng chéng le.
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” 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, land | Noun |
| 要 | yào | Shall, must | Verb |
| 生出 | shēng chū | Bring forth, produce | Verb |
| 各種 / 各种 | gè zhǒng | All kinds | Noun phrase |
| 活物 | huó wù | Living creatures | Noun |
| 牲畜 | shēng chù | Livestock | Noun |
| 爬行動物 / 爬行动物 | pá xíng dòng wù | Creeping things | Noun |
| 地上 | dì shàng | On the earth | Prepositional phrase |
| 野獸 / 野兽 | yě shòu | Beasts | Noun |
| 各從其類 / 各从其类 | gè cóng qí lèi | According to their kinds | Adverbial phrase |
| 事就這樣成了 / 事就这样成了 | shì jiù zhè yàng chéng le | And it was so | Phrase |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 神說：「地要生出各種活物 (shén shuō: ‘dì yào shēng chū gè zhǒng huó wù): Declares God’s command for the earth to produce living creatures.
- 就是牲畜、爬行動物和地上的野獸 (jiù shì shēng chù, pá xíng dòng wù hé dì shàng de yě shòu): Specifies the types of creatures to be produced.
- 各從其類 (gè cóng qí lèi): Indicates the creatures are to reproduce according to their kinds.
- 事就這樣成了 (shì jiù zhè yàng chéng le): Concludes that the command was fulfilled.
Key Grammar Points:
- 要 (yào): Indicates a command or intention, equivalent to “let” or “shall” in English.
- 生出 (shēng chū): Means “to bring forth” or “produce,” describing the earth’s generative role.
- 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Emphasizes the organized reproduction of creatures according to their kinds.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Shén shuō: “Dì yào shēng chū gè zhǒng huó wù, jiù shì shēng chù, pá xíng dòng wù hé dì shàng de yě shòu, gè cóng qí lèi.” Shì jiù zhè yàng chéng le.
Tone Practice:
- 地 (dì): 4th tone (falling)
- 生出 (shēng chū): 1st tone (high) + 1st tone (high)
- 牲畜 (shēng chù): 1st tone (high) + 4th tone (falling)
- 爬行動物 / 爬行动物 (pá xíng dòng wù): 2nd tone (rising) + 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 野獸 / 野兽 (yě shòu): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 4th tone (falling)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 生出 (shēng chū): Represents the act of bringing forth life, central to creation.
- 牲畜 (shēng chù): Refers to domesticated animals, highlighting their utility and relationship to humans.
- 爬行動物 / 爬行动物 (pá xíng dòng wù): Describes creeping things, emphasizing diversity in creation.
- 野獸 / 野兽 (yě shòu): Refers to wild animals, symbolizing the untamed aspects of nature.
- 地上 (dì shàng): Indicates “on the earth,” specifying the habitat of the wild animals and creeping things.
- 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Highlights the organization of life, ensuring each species reproduces according to its kind.
- 事就這樣成了 / 事就这样成了 (shì jiù zhè yàng chéng le): Concludes the action, affirming the command was fulfilled.
5. Cultural Insights
- Organization in Creation: The phrase 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): reflects both Hebrew and Chinese emphasis on the orderliness of nature, where each species is distinct and purposeful.
- Diversity of Life: The specification of livestock, creeping things, and wild animals highlights the richness and variety of creation, resonating with Chinese philosophical values of balance and harmony in nature.
- Earth’s Role as Provider: The command for the earth to “bring forth” living creatures emphasizes the land’s life-giving power, a concept shared in Chinese cultural reverence for the earth.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 生出 (shēng chū): Visualize the earth producing animals of all kinds, teeming with life.
- 牲畜 (shēng chù): Imagine domesticated animals like cows and sheep grazing peacefully.
- 爬行動物 / 爬行动物 (pá xíng dòng wù): Picture small creatures, such as lizards or snakes, moving across the ground.
- 野獸 / 野兽 (yě shòu): Think of majestic wild animals, like lions or bears, inhabiting untamed landscapes.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- תֹּוצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ (Totzei HaAretz): → 地要生出 (dì yào shēng chū): Both describe the earth bringing forth living creatures.
- נֶ֤פֶשׁ חַיָּה֙ (Nefesh Chayah): → 活物 (huó wù): Both refer to living creatures.
- בְּהֵמָ֥ה וָרֶ֛מֶשׂ וְחַֽיְתֹו־אֶ֖רֶץ (Behemah VaRemes VeChayto Eretz): → 牲畜、爬行動物和地上的野獸 / 牲畜、爬行动物和地上的野兽 (shēng chù, pá xíng dòng wù hé dì shàng de yě shòu): Both enumerate the categories of creatures.
- לְמִינָ֑הּ (LeMinah): → 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Both emphasize reproduction according to kinds.
- וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן (Vayehi Ken): → 事就這樣成了 / 事就这样成了 (shì jiù zhè yàng chéng le): Both affirm the fulfillment of the command.
- Comparison with English:
- The phrase “Let the earth bring forth living creatures” corresponds to 地要生出各種活物 / 地要生出各种活物 (dì yào shēng chū gè zhǒng huó wù): Both describe the earth’s role in producing life.
- “Livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth” matches 牲畜、爬行動物和地上的野獸 / 牲畜、爬行动物和地上的野兽 (shēng chù, pá xíng dòng wù hé dì shàng de yě shòu): Both categorize the types of creatures brought forth.
- “According to their kinds” aligns with 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): Both emphasize the natural order and reproduction of species.
- “And it was so” corresponds to 事就這樣成了 / 事就这样成了 (shì jiù zhè yàng chéng le): Both confirm the completion of the command.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Earth as Life-Giver: The imagery of the earth producing life reflects the Chinese view of the earth as a nurturing source of vitality.
- Order and Harmony: The phrase 各從其類 / 各从其类 (gè cóng qí lèi): aligns with Chinese philosophical ideas of maintaining balance and order in nature.
- Diversity of Creation: The inclusion of livestock, creeping things, and wild animals underscores the richness of life, a theme celebrated in both Hebrew and Chinese traditions.
