וַיַּפֵּל֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים תַּרְדֵּמָ֛ה עַל־הָאָדָ֖ם וַיִּישָׁ֑ן וַיִּקַּ֗ח אַחַת֙ מִצַּלְעֹתָ֔יו וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר בָּשָׂ֖ר תַּחְתֶּֽנָּה׃
耶和華上帝使那人沉睡，他就睡了；耶和華取了他的一根肋骨，又把肉合起來。
耶和华上帝使那人沉睡，他就睡了；耶和华取了他的一根肋骨，又把肉合起来。
Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ nà rén chén shuì, tā jiù shuì le; Yēhéhuá qǔ le tā de yī gēn lèi gǔ, yòu bǎ ròu hé qǐ lái.
The LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and he slept. He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 耶和華 / 耶和华 | Yēhéhuá | The LORD | Proper noun |
| 上帝 | Shàngdì | God | Proper noun |
| 使 | shǐ | To cause | Verb |
| 那人 | nà rén | The man | Noun |
| 沉睡 | chén shuì | Deep sleep | Noun |
| 睡了 | shuì le | Slept | Verb |
| 取了 | qǔ le | Took | Verb |
| 一根 | yī gēn | One (measure word for ribs) | Numeral + Measure word |
| 肋骨 | lèi gǔ | Rib | Noun |
| 又 | yòu | Again | Adverb |
| 把 | bǎ | Particle introducing an object | Particle |
| 肉 | ròu | Flesh | Noun |
| 合起來 / 合起来 | hé qǐ lái | Closed up | Verb phrase |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 耶和華上帝使那人沉睡 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ nà rén chén shuì): Describes God causing the man to fall into a deep sleep.
- 他就睡了 (Tā jiù shuì le): Indicates the man then slept.
- 耶和華取了他的一根肋骨 (Yēhéhuá qǔ le tā de yī gēn lèi gǔ): States God took one of his ribs.
- 又把肉合起來 (Yòu bǎ ròu hé qǐ lái): Describes closing up the flesh afterward.
Key Grammar Points:
- 使 (shǐ): A verb meaning “to cause” or “to make,” introducing an action.
- 又 (yòu): An adverb meaning “again” or “also,” indicating sequential action.
- 把 (bǎ): A particle emphasizing the object acted upon, commonly used in Mandarin grammar.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ nà rén chén shuì, tā jiù shuì le; Yēhéhuá qǔ le tā de yī gēn lèi gǔ, yòu bǎ ròu hé qǐ lái.
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)
- 使 (shǐ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 那人 (nà rén): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 沉睡 (chén shuì): 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 睡了 (shuì le): 4th tone (falling) + neutral tone
- 取了 (qǔ le): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 一根 (yī gēn): 1st tone (flat) + 1st tone (flat)
- 肋骨 (lèi gǔ): 4th tone (falling) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 又 (yòu): 4th tone (falling)
- 把 (bǎ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 肉 (ròu): 4th tone (falling)
- 合起來 / 合起来 (hé qǐ lái): 2nd tone (rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 沉睡 (chén shuì): Refers to a deep sleep, highlighting the profound rest induced by God.
- 肋骨 (lèi gǔ): Denotes a rib, symbolizing the material used for creating woman.
- 合起來 / 合起来 (hé qǐ lái): Means “closed up,” describing God’s act of restoring the flesh.
5. Cultural Insights
- Symbolism of Sleep: In both Hebrew and Chinese cultures, deep sleep often represents divine intervention or a profound transition.
- Creation from Rib: The use of a rib for creation emphasizes the equality and connection between man and woman, paralleling Chinese philosophies of yin and yang balance.
- Restoration of Flesh: Closing up the flesh highlights the meticulous and complete work of the Creator, resonating with Chinese concepts of harmony and perfection in creation.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 沉睡 (chén shuì): Visualize a figure lying peacefully under divine light, representing profound sleep.
- 肋骨 (lèi gǔ): Picture a glowing rib being carefully removed, symbolizing the source of new creation.
- 合起來 / 合起来 (hé qǐ lái): Imagine stitching or sealing a wound perfectly, signifying restoration and completion.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיַּפֵּל֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים תַּרְדֵּמָ֛ה (VaYapel Adonai Elohim Tardemah): → 耶和華上帝使那人沉睡 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ nà rén chén shuì): Both describe God causing the man to fall into a deep sleep.
- וַיִּקַּ֗ח אַחַת֙ מִצַּלְעֹתָ֔יו (VaYiqach Achat MiTzalotav): → 耶和華取了他的一根肋骨 (Yēhéhuá qǔ le tā de yī gēn lèi gǔ): Both highlight God taking one rib from the man.
- וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר בָּשָׂ֖ר תַּחְתֶּֽנָּה (VaYisgor Basar Tachtenah): → 又把肉合起來 (Yòu bǎ ròu hé qǐ lái): Both describe the closing of the flesh where the rib was removed.
- Comparison with English:
- “The LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep” matches 耶和華上帝使那人沉睡 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ nà rén chén shuì): Both describe God’s action of inducing sleep.
- “He took one of his ribs” corresponds to 耶和華取了他的一根肋骨 (Yēhéhuá qǔ le tā de yī gēn lèi gǔ): Both depict God taking a rib from the man.
- “And closed up the flesh at that place” aligns with 又把肉合起來 (Yòu bǎ ròu hé qǐ lái): Both highlight the act of closing the wound.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Balance in Creation: The creation of woman from man’s rib symbolizes harmony and interdependence, aligning with the yin-yang principle in Chinese philosophy.
- Divine Intervention: The meticulous process reflects themes of divine craftsmanship present in Chinese myths of creation.
