וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־יֹ֣ום הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֹתֹ֑ו כִּ֣י בֹ֤ו שָׁבַת֙ מִכָּל־מְלַאכְתֹּ֔ו אֲשֶׁר־בָּרָ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים לַעֲשֹֽׂות׃
神賜福給第七日，定為聖日，因為在這日神歇了他一切創造的工。
神赐福给第七日，定为圣日，因为在这日神歇了他一切创造的工。
Shén cì fú gěi dì qī rì, dìng wéi shèng rì, yīn wèi zài zhè rì shén xiē le tā yī qiè chuàng zào de gōng.
God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all His work that He had created to do.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 神 | shén | God | Subject noun |
| 賜福 / 赐福 | cì fú | Bless | Verb |
| 給 / 给 | gěi | To, for | Preposition |
| 第七日 | dì qī rì | The seventh day | Noun phrase |
| 定 | dìng | To set, establish | Verb |
| 為 / 为 | wéi | As, for | Preposition |
| 聖日 / 圣日 | shèng rì | Holy day | Noun |
| 因為 / 因为 | yīn wèi | Because | Conjunction |
| 在 | zài | At, on | Preposition |
| 這日 / 这日 | zhè rì | This day | Noun phrase |
| 歇 | xiē | Rest | Verb |
| 了 | le | Indicates completion | Particle |
| 他 | tā | He, his | Pronoun |
| 一切 | yī qiè | All, everything | Quantifier |
| 創造 / 创造 | chuàng zào | Create | Verb |
| 工 | gōng | Work | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 神賜福給第七日 (shén cì fú gěi dì qī rì): Describes God blessing the seventh day.
- 定為聖日 (dìng wéi shèng rì): Declares the seventh day as holy.
- 因為在這日 (yīn wèi zài zhè rì): Explains the reason for the blessing and sanctification.
- 神歇了他一切創造的工 (shén xiē le tā yī qiè chuàng zào de gōng): States that God rested from all His creative work.
Key Grammar Points:
- 賜福 / 赐福 (cì fú): A verb meaning “to bless,” commonly used in divine contexts.
- 定為 / 定为 (dìng wéi): A phrase meaning “to set as” or “to declare as,” used to mark significance.
- 因為 / 因为 (yīn wèi): A conjunction meaning “because,” introducing a reason.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Shén cì fú gěi dì qī rì, dìng wéi shèng rì, yīn wèi zài zhè rì shén xiē le tā yī qiè chuàng zào de gōng.
Tone Practice:
- 神 (shén): 2nd tone (rising)
- 賜福 / 赐福 (cì fú): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 給 / 给 (gěi): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 第七日 (dì qī rì): 4th tone (falling) + 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 定為 / 定为 (dìng wéi): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 聖日 / 圣日 (shèng rì): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 因為 / 因为 (yīn wèi): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 歇 (xiē): 1st tone (flat)
- 創造 / 创造 (chuàng zào): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 賜福 / 赐福 (cì fú): Refers to divine blessing, emphasizing God’s benevolence.
- 定為 / 定为 (dìng wéi): Indicates the act of declaring something as significant or holy.
- 聖日 / 圣日 (shèng rì): Represents a holy day, highlighting its sacred nature.
- 歇 (xiē): Means “to rest,” symbolizing cessation of work.
- 創造 / 创造 (chuàng zào): Refers to the act of creation, a central theme of divine activity.
5. Cultural Insights
- Sanctification of Time: Declaring the seventh day as holy reflects both Hebrew and Chinese recognition of special times for rest and renewal.
- Blessing and Rest: The emphasis on rest aligns with Chinese cultural values of balance between work and rest (e.g., Daoist principles).
- Cycle of Completion: The seventh day’s sanctity resonates with Chinese views of cycles and the importance of reflection after completion.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 賜福 / 赐福 (cì fú): Imagine God pouring out blessings on the seventh day.
- 定為 / 定为 (dìng wéi): Picture a divine decree declaring the day sacred.
- 聖日 / 圣日 (shèng rì): Visualize a calendar marking the seventh day as a holy day.
- 歇 (xiē): Think of resting under a peaceful tree, symbolizing tranquility.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ אֱלֹהִים (VaYevarekh Elohim): → 神賜福 / 神赐福 (shén cì fú): Both describe God blessing the seventh day.
- וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֹתֹ֑ו (VaYekaddesh Oto): → 定為聖日 / 定为圣日 (dìng wéi shèng rì): Both declare the day as holy.
- כִּ֣י בֹ֤ו שָׁבַת֙ (Ki Vo Shavat): → 因為在這日歇了 / 因为在这日歇了 (yīn wèi zài zhè rì xiē le): Both explain the sanctification based on God’s rest.
- Comparison with English:
- “God blessed the seventh day” aligns with 神賜福給第七日 / 神赐福给第七日 (shén cì fú gěi dì qī rì): Both describe the divine blessing.
- “And made it holy” corresponds to 定為聖日 / 定为圣日 (dìng wéi shèng rì): Both declare the day’s sacred status.
- “Because on it He rested” matches 因為在這日歇了 / 因为在这日歇了 (yīn wèi zài zhè rì xiē le): Both emphasize rest as the reason for sanctification.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Rest and Reflection: The sanctification of rest aligns with Chinese ideals of balancing effort and renewal, emphasizing harmony in life.
- Sacred Time: Declaring the seventh day holy mirrors Chinese recognition of auspicious times and their cultural significance.
