וַיִּבְרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָם֙ בְּצַלְמֹ֔ו בְּצֶ֥לֶם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בָּרָ֣א אֹתֹ֑ו זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה בָּרָ֥א אֹתָֽם׃
於是神照著自己的形象造人，照著神的形象造他們，造男造女。
于是神照着自己的形象造人，照着神的形象造他们，造男造女。
Yú shì shén zhào zhe zì jǐ de xíng xiàng zào rén, zhào zhe shén de xíng xiàng zào tāmen, zào nán zào nǚ.
So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 於是 / 于是 | yú shì | So, therefore | Conjunction |
| 神 | shén | God | Subject noun |
| 照著 / 照着 | zhào zhe | According to | Preposition |
| 自己的 | zì jǐ de | Own | Possessive phrase |
| 形象 | xíng xiàng | Image | Noun |
| 造 | zào | Create, make | Verb |
| 人 | rén | Humankind | Noun |
| 他們 / 他们 | tāmen | Them | Pronoun |
| 男 | nán | Male | Noun |
| 女 | nǚ | Female | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 於是神照著自己的形象造人 (yú shì shén zhào zhe zì jǐ de xíng xiàng zào rén): Describes God creating humanity in His own image.
- 照著神的形象造他們 (zhào zhe shén de xíng xiàng zào tāmen): Emphasizes the divine pattern in humanity’s creation.
- 造男造女 (zào nán zào nǚ): Specifies that both male and female were created.
Key Grammar Points:
- 照著 / 照着 (zhào zhe): Indicates conformity to a pattern or model.
- 自己的 (zì jǐ de): Highlights ownership, meaning “one’s own.”
- 造 (zào): Refers to the act of creating, often used for divine or significant actions.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Yú shì shén zhào zhe zì jǐ de xíng xiàng zào rén, zhào zhe shén de xíng xiàng zào tāmen, zào nán zào nǚ.
Tone Practice:
- 於是 / 于是 (yú shì): 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 自己的 (zì jǐ de): 4th tone (falling) + 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 形象 (xíng xiàng): 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 造 (zào): 4th tone (falling)
- 男 (nán): 2nd tone (rising)
- 女 (nǚ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 照著 / 照着 (zhào zhe): Represents adherence to a model or pattern.
- 形象 (xíng xiàng): Indicates an image, reflecting humanity’s divine origin.
- 造 (zào): Describes creation, emphasizing God’s role as Creator.
- 男 / 女 (nán / nǚ): Refer to male and female, highlighting the completeness of creation.
5. Cultural Insights
- Divine Image: The phrase 照著自己的形象 / 照着自己的形象 (zhào zhe zì jǐ de xíng xiàng): aligns with the Chinese view of humanity’s inherent dignity and moral responsibility.
- Gender in Creation: The emphasis on 男 / 女 (nán / nǚ): reflects both Hebrew and Chinese appreciation for balance and duality in human existence.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 照著 / 照着 (zhào zhe): Picture a mirror reflecting God’s image onto humanity.
- 形象 (xíng xiàng): Imagine an imprint symbolizing the divine resemblance.
- 男 / 女 (nán / nǚ): Think of complementary halves forming a complete creation.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- בְּצַלְמֹ֔ו (BeTzalmo): → 照著自己的形象 / 照着自己的形象 (zhào zhe zì jǐ de xíng xiàng): Both express creation in the divine image.
- זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה (Zachar U’Neqevah): → 造男造女 (zào nán zào nǚ): Both specify the creation of male and female.
- Comparison with English:
- The phrase “So God created mankind in His own image” corresponds to 於是神照著自己的形象造人 / 于是神照着自己的形象造人 (yú shì shén zhào zhe zì jǐ de xíng xiàng zào rén): Both describe the divine act of creating humanity in God’s image.
- “In the image of God He created them” aligns with 照著神的形象造他們 / 照着神的形象造他们 (zhào zhe shén de xíng xiàng zào tāmen): Both emphasize the divine resemblance in humanity.
- “Male and female He created them” matches 造男造女 (zào nán zào nǚ): Both affirm the creation of genders as part of humanity’s completeness.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Human Dignity: The concept of creation in God’s image aligns with Chinese philosophical views of humanity’s intrinsic worth and responsibility.
- Balance and Duality: The creation of 男 / 女 (nán / nǚ): reflects the Chinese principle of yin and yang, symbolizing complementary forces in harmony.
