Genesis 2:15 – Learn Chinese Bible

耶和華上帝把人安置在伊甸園，讓他耕種和看守。

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Chinese Character	Pinyin	Meaning	Grammar Role
耶和華 / 耶和华	Yēhéhuá	The LORD	Proper noun
上帝	Shàngdì	God	Proper noun
把	bǎ	Particle indicating the action applies to an object	Particle
人	rén	Man, human	Noun
安置	ān zhì	To place, to put	Verb
在	zài	At, in	Preposition
伊甸園 / 伊甸园	Yī diàn yuán	Garden of Eden	Proper noun
讓 / 让	ràng	To allow, to let	Verb
他	tā	He, him	Pronoun
耕種 / 耕种	gēng zhòng	To till, to cultivate	Verb
和	hé	And	Conjunction
看守	kàn shǒu	To watch over, to guard	Verb

Sentence Structure:

耶和華上帝把人安置在伊甸園 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì bǎ rén ān zhì zài Yī diàn yuán): Describes God placing the man in the Garden of Eden.
讓他耕種和看守 (ràng tā gēng zhòng hé kàn shǒu): Describes the purpose of placing the man in the garden: to work it and to guard it.

Key Grammar Points:

把 (bǎ): A particle used to indicate the handling or disposition of an object.
安置 (ān zhì): Indicates the act of placing or assigning someone or something to a specific location.
讓 / 让 (ràng): Expresses permission or assignment, meaning “to let” or “to allow.”

Tone Practice:

耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
上帝 (Shàngdì): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
把 (bǎ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
人 (rén): 2nd tone (rising)
安置 (ān zhì): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
在 (zài): 4th tone (falling)
伊甸園 / 伊甸园 (Yī diàn yuán): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
讓 / 让 (ràng): 4th tone (falling)
他 (tā): 1st tone (flat)
耕種 / 耕种 (gēng zhòng): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
和 (hé): 2nd tone (rising)
看守 (kàn shǒu): 4th tone (falling) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)

Key Characters:

安置 (ān zhì): Means “to place” or “to set,” indicating deliberate action.
耕種 / 耕种 (gēng zhòng): Refers to cultivating or tilling the land, representing work and care.
看守 (kàn shǒu): Means “to guard” or “to watch over,” emphasizing responsibility and stewardship.

Garden Imagery: In both Hebrew and Chinese traditions, gardens symbolize harmony between humans and nature, often reflecting divine order.
Work as Responsibility: The instruction to work and guard the garden highlights the value of diligence and stewardship, a concept echoed in Confucian teachings on responsibility.
Divine Placement: The act of God placing the man in Eden parallels Chinese stories where humans are entrusted with the care of sacred spaces.

安置 (ān zhì): Picture a careful placement, like setting a delicate object in a secure spot.
耕種 / 耕种 (gēng zhòng): Imagine a farmer tilling fertile soil to produce crops.
看守 (kàn shǒu): Visualize a guardian standing watch over a precious garden, protecting it from harm.

Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיִּקַּ֛ח יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֑ם (VaYikach Adonai Elohim Et-HaAdam): → 耶和華上帝把人安置 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì bǎ rén ān zhì): Both describe the action of God placing the man in the garden.
- וַיַּנִּחֵ֣הוּ בְגַן־עֵ֔דֶן (VaYaniḥehu BeGan-Eden): → 在伊甸園 (zài Yī diàn yuán): Both specify the location as the Garden of Eden.
- לְעָבְדָ֖הּ וּלְשָׁמְרָֽהּ (LeAvdah ULeShomrah): → 讓他耕種和看守 (ràng tā gēng zhòng hé kàn shǒu): Both describe the man’s tasks of working and keeping the garden.
Comparison with English:
- “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden” aligns with 耶和華上帝把人安置在伊甸園 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì bǎ rén ān zhì zài Yī diàn yuán): Both emphasize God’s intentional action.
- “To work it and keep it” corresponds to 讓他耕種和看守 (ràng tā gēng zhòng hé kàn shǒu): Both highlight the responsibilities given to the man.
Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Stewardship: The responsibility to work and guard the garden mirrors Chinese ideals of maintaining harmony and balance with nature.
- Divine Authority: The placement by a divine being echoes the Confucian view of heaven granting responsibilities to individuals.