וַיַּצְמַ֞ח יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ מִן־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כָּל־עֵ֛ץ נֶחְמָ֥ד לְמַרְאֶ֖ה וְטֹ֣וב לְמַאֲכָ֑ל וְעֵ֤ץ הַֽחַיִּים֙ בְּתֹ֣וךְ הַגָּ֔ן וְעֵ֕ץ הַדַּ֖עַת טֹ֥וב וָרָֽע׃
耶和華上帝使各樣的樹從地上長出來，有的美觀可食，還有生命樹在園中，以及分別善惡的樹。
耶和华上帝使各样的树从地上长出来，有的美观可食，还有生命树在园中，以及分别善恶的树。
Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ gè yàng de shù cóng dì shàng zhǎng chū lái, yǒu de měi guān kě shí, hái yǒu shēng mìng shù zài yuán zhōng, yǐ jí fēn bié shàn è de shù.
The LORD God caused to grow from the ground every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 耶和華 / 耶和华 | Yēhéhuá | LORD | Proper noun |
| 上帝 | Shàngdì | God | Proper noun |
| 使 | shǐ | Cause, make | Verb |
| 各樣 / 各样 | gè yàng | Every kind | Noun phrase |
| 樹 / 树 | shù | Tree | Noun |
| 從 / 从 | cóng | From | Preposition |
| 地上 | dì shàng | Earth, ground | Noun phrase |
| 長出來 / 长出来 | zhǎng chū lái | Grow, sprout | Verb phrase |
| 有的 | yǒu de | Some | Phrase |
| 美觀 / 美观 | měi guān | Pleasant, beautiful | Adjective |
| 可食 | kě shí | Edible | Adjective |
| 還有 / 还有 | hái yǒu | Also, as well | Conjunction |
| 生命樹 / 生命树 | shēng mìng shù | Tree of life | Noun |
| 園中 / 园中 | yuán zhōng | In the garden | Prepositional phrase |
| 以及 | yǐ jí | And, as well as | Conjunction |
| 分別 / 分别 | fēn bié | Distinguish, differentiate | Verb |
| 善惡 / 善恶 | shàn è | Good and evil | Noun phrase |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 耶和華上帝使各樣的樹從地上長出來 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ gè yàng de shù cóng dì shàng zhǎng chū lái): Describes the LORD God causing various kinds of trees to grow from the ground.
- 有的美觀可食 (yǒu de měi guān kě shí): Indicates that some trees were beautiful and edible.
- 還有生命樹在園中 (hái yǒu shēng mìng shù zài yuán zhōng): Refers to the presence of the tree of life in the garden.
- 以及分別善惡的樹 (yǐ jí fēn bié shàn è de shù): Mentions the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Key Grammar Points:
- 使 (shǐ): A verb meaning “to cause” or “to make,” indicating an action initiated by someone.
- 各樣 / 各样 (gè yàng): Refers to “every kind” or “various kinds,” emphasizing diversity.
- 還有 / 还有 (hái yǒu): Adds an additional element, translated as “also” or “as well.”
- 以及 (yǐ jí): A conjunction meaning “and” or “as well as,” used to link elements.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ gè yàng de shù cóng dì shàng zhǎng chū lái, yǒu de měi guān kě shí, hái yǒu shēng mìng shù zài yuán zhōng, yǐ jí fēn bié shàn è de shù.
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)
- 各樣 / 各样 (gè yàng): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 樹 / 树 (shù): 4th tone (falling)
- 從 / 从 (cóng): 2nd tone (rising)
- 地上 (dì shàng): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 長出來 / 长出来 (zhǎng chū lái): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 有的 (yǒu de): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 美觀 / 美观 (měi guān): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (flat)
- 可食 (kě shí): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 還有 / 还有 (hái yǒu): 2nd tone (rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 生命樹 / 生命树 (shēng mìng shù): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 園中 / 园中 (yuán zhōng): 2nd tone (rising) + 1st tone (flat)
- 以及 (yǐ jí): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 分別 / 分别 (fēn bié): 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 善惡 / 善恶 (shàn è): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 使 (shǐ): Means “to cause” or “to make,” highlighting divine action initiating growth.
- 樹 / 树 (shù): Represents trees, emphasizing the diversity and abundance of creation.
- 美觀 / 美观 (měi guān): Refers to beauty, denoting trees that are visually appealing.
- 生命樹 / 生命树 (shēng mìng shù): Symbolizes the tree of life, a key element in the garden narrative.
- 分別善惡 / 分别善恶 (fēn bié shàn è): Refers to the knowledge of good and evil, central to the moral aspect of the story.
5. Cultural Insights
- Tree Symbolism: Trees are often symbols of life, wisdom, and provision in both Hebrew and Chinese traditions. The tree of life and the tree of knowledge embody these themes.
- Harmony and Beauty: The emphasis on beauty (美觀 / 美观) aligns with Chinese aesthetics, which value harmony and balance in nature.
- Divine Action: The LORD God’s role in causing growth reflects the belief in divine providence and order in creation, a concept shared in Chinese cosmology.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 使 (shǐ): Visualize a gardener making trees grow with a wave of their hand, symbolizing divine action.
- 樹 / 树 (shù): Imagine a lush forest filled with diverse trees.
- 美觀 / 美观 (měi guān): Picture a tree with vibrant blossoms and fruits, attracting admiration.
- 生命樹 / 生命树 (shēng mìng shù): Envision a glowing tree symbolizing eternal life.
- 分別善惡 / 分别善恶 (fēn bié shàn è): Think of a tree with two contrasting branches, one representing good and the other evil.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיַּצְמַ֞ח יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים (VaYatzmach YHWH Elohim): → 耶和華上帝使…長出來 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ…zhǎng chū lái): Both depict God causing trees to grow from the ground.
- כָּל־עֵ֛ץ נֶחְמָ֥ד לְמַרְאֶ֖ה וְטֹ֣וב לְמַאֲכָ֑ל (Kol-Etz Neḥmad LeMar’eh VeTov LeMa’akhal): → 有的美觀可食 (yǒu de měi guān kě shí): Both describe trees as pleasant to look at and good for food.
- וְעֵ֕ץ הַדַּ֖עַת טֹ֥וב וָרָֽע (VeEtz HaDaat Tov VaRa): → 分別善惡的樹 (fēn bié shàn è de shù): Both refer to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
- Comparison with English:
- “The LORD God caused to grow” corresponds to 耶和華上帝使…長出來 (Yēhéhuá Shàngdì shǐ…zhǎng chū lái): Both describe the act of divine causation.
- “Every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food” aligns with 有的美觀可食 (yǒu de měi guān kě shí): Both highlight the trees’ aesthetic and practical qualities.
- “The tree of life…and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” matches 生命樹…分別善惡的樹 (shēng mìng shù…fēn bié shàn è de shù): Both mention the two significant trees in the garden.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Trees as Symbols: Trees often symbolize wisdom, balance, and connection to the divine in Chinese culture, similar to their role in the biblical narrative.
- Harmony and Provision: The description of trees as beautiful and edible reflects the Chinese value of harmony in nature’s provision.
