וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֛ם בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ וְיִרְדּוּ֩ בִדְגַ֨ת הַיָּ֜ם וּבְעֹ֣וף הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙ וּבְכָל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וּבְכָל־הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
神說：「我們要照著我們的形象，按著我們的樣式造人，使他們管理海裡的魚、空中的鳥、地上的牲畜、全地和地上所有爬行的動物。」
神说：「我们要照着我们的形象，按着我们的样式造人，使他们管理海里的鱼、空中的鸟、地上的牲畜、全地和地上所有爬行的动物。」
Shén shuō: “Wǒmen yào zhào zhe wǒmen de xíng xiàng, àn zhe wǒmen de yàng shì zào rén, shǐ tāmen guǎn lǐ hǎi lǐ de yú, kōng zhōng de niǎo, dì shàng de shēng chù, quán dì hé dì shàng suǒ yǒu pá xíng de dòng wù.”
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the livestock, all the earth, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 神 | shén | God | Subject noun |
| 說 / 说 | shuō | Say | Verb |
| 我們 / 我们 | wǒmen | We, us | Pronoun |
| 照著 / 照着 | zhào zhe | According to | Preposition |
| 形象 | xíng xiàng | Image | Noun |
| 按著 / 按着 | àn zhe | According to | Preposition |
| 樣式 / 样式 | yàng shì | Likeness, pattern | Noun |
| 造 | zào | Create, make | Verb |
| 人 | rén | Humankind, man | Noun |
| 管理 | guǎn lǐ | Manage, have dominion | Verb |
| 海裡 / 海里 | hǎi lǐ | In the sea | Prepositional phrase |
| 魚 / 鱼 | yú | Fish | Noun |
| 空中 | kōng zhōng | In the air, heavens | Prepositional phrase |
| 鳥 / 鸟 | niǎo | Bird | Noun |
| 地上 | dì shàng | On the earth | Prepositional phrase |
| 牲畜 | shēng chù | Livestock | Noun |
| 全地 | quán dì | All the earth | Noun phrase |
| 所有 | suǒ yǒu | All | Adjective |
| 爬行動物 / 爬行动物 | pá xíng dòng wù | Creeping things | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 神說：「我們要照著我們的形象，按著我們的樣式造人 (shén shuō: ‘wǒmen yào zhào zhe wǒmen de xíng xiàng, àn zhe wǒmen de yàng shì zào rén): God declares the intention to create humankind in His image and likeness.
- 使他們管理海裡的魚、空中的鳥、地上的牲畜、全地和地上所有爬行的動物 (shǐ tāmen guǎn lǐ hǎi lǐ de yú, kōng zhōng de niǎo, dì shàng de shēng chù, quán dì hé dì shàng suǒ yǒu pá xíng de dòng wù): Assigns humanity the role of dominion over creation.
Key Grammar Points:
- 照著 / 照着 (zhào zhe): Means “according to,” indicating a pattern or model.
- 管理 (guǎn lǐ): Refers to ruling or having dominion, emphasizing authority.
- 所有 (suǒ yǒu): Highlights inclusivity, meaning “all” or “everything.”
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Shén shuō: “Wǒmen yào zhào zhe wǒmen de xíng xiàng, àn zhe wǒmen de yàng shì zào rén, shǐ tāmen guǎn lǐ hǎi lǐ de yú, kōng zhōng de niǎo, dì shàng de shēng chù, quán dì hé dì shàng suǒ yǒu pá xíng de dòng wù.”
Tone Practice:
- 我們 / 我们 (wǒmen): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 照著 / 照着 (zhào zhe): 4th tone (falling) + neutral tone
- 形象 (xíng xiàng): 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 按著 / 按着 (àn zhe): 4th tone (falling) + neutral tone
- 樣式 / 样式 (yàng shì): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 管理 (guǎn lǐ): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 照著 / 照着 (zhào zhe): Represents conformity to a model or pattern.
- 形象 (xíng xiàng): Indicates an image, referring to God’s representation in humanity.
- 管理 (guǎn lǐ): Emphasizes dominion and stewardship over creation.
- 人 (rén): Refers to humanity as the pinnacle of creation.
- 所有 (suǒ yǒu): Reflects the comprehensiveness of creation entrusted to humanity.
5. Cultural Insights
- Humanity in God’s Image: The phrase 照著我們的形象 / 照着我们的形象 (zhào zhe wǒmen de xíng xiàng): reflects both Hebrew and Chinese values of humanity as bearers of divine attributes and responsibility.
- Stewardship: The idea of 管理 (guǎn lǐ): aligns with the Confucian principle of responsible governance, where authority is exercised for the benefit of others.
- Harmony with Nature: The command to manage creation mirrors the Chinese philosophy of living in harmony with nature, respecting its balance while exercising care.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 照著 / 照着 (zhào zhe): Imagine a mirror reflecting an image to remember conformity to a pattern.
- 形象 (xíng xiàng): Visualize a divine imprint on humanity, symbolizing their unique role in creation.
- 管理 (guǎn lǐ): Think of a shepherd carefully tending to sheep, symbolizing responsible stewardship.
- 人 (rén): Envision humanity standing upright as the pinnacle of creation.
- 海裡的魚 (hǎi lǐ de yú): Picture fish swimming abundantly in the sea, representing life under humanity’s care.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֛ם (Na’aseh Adam): → 我們要造人 / 我们要造人 (wǒmen yào zào rén): Both express the divine intent to create humankind.
- בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ (BeTzalmenu KiDmutenu): → 照著我們的形象，按著我們的樣式 / 照着我们的形象，按着我们的样式 (zhào zhe wǒmen de xíng xiàng, àn zhe wǒmen de yàng shì): Both highlight the creation of humanity in God’s image and likeness.
- וְיִרְדּוּ֩ (VeYirdu): → 管理 (guǎn lǐ): Both describe humanity’s dominion over creation.
- בִדְגַ֨ת הַיָּ֜ם (BiDgat HaYam): → 海裡的魚 / 海里的鱼 (hǎi lǐ de yú): Both refer to fish in the sea.
- וּבְעֹ֣וף הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם (UVeOf HaShamayim): → 空中的鳥 / 空中的鸟 (kōng zhōng de niǎo): Both mention birds of the heavens.
- וּבְכָל־הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ (UVeChol HaRemes): → 地上所有爬行的動物 / 地上所有爬行的动物 (dì shàng suǒ yǒu pá xíng de dòng wù): Both describe creeping things.
- Comparison with English:
- “Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness” aligns with 我們要照著我們的形象，按著我們的樣式造人 / 我们要照着我们的形象，按着我们的样式造人 (wǒmen yào zhào zhe wǒmen de xíng xiàng, àn zhe wǒmen de yàng shì zào rén): Both emphasize the unique creation of humanity.
- “And let them have dominion” corresponds to 使他們管理 / 使他们管理 (shǐ tāmen guǎn lǐ): Both describe humanity’s role in ruling over creation.
- “Fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, and every creeping thing” matches 海裡的魚、空中的鳥和地上所有爬行的動物 / 海里的鱼、空中的鸟和地上所有爬行的动物 (hǎi lǐ de yú, kōng zhōng de niǎo hé dì shàng suǒ yǒu pá xíng de dòng wù): Both list the domains of creation entrusted to humanity.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Divine Image: The creation of humanity in God’s image aligns with Chinese ideals of humanity possessing inherent dignity and responsibility.
- Stewardship: The command to manage creation resonates with Confucian principles of just and responsible governance.
- Harmony with Nature: The assignment to care for all creatures reflects Chinese cosmology, which values balance and respect for the natural world.
