Genesis 3:20 – Learn Chinese Bible

亞當給他的妻子起名為夏娃，因為她是眾生之母。

Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

Chinese Character	Pinyin	Meaning	Grammar Role
亞當 / 亚当	Yàdāng	Adam	Proper noun
給 / 给	gěi	To give	Verb
他的	tā de	His	Pronoun + Possessive particle
妻子	qīzi	Wife	Noun
起名	qǐ míng	To name	Verb phrase
為 / 为	wéi	As	Preposition
夏娃	Xiàwá	Eve	Proper noun
因為 / 因为	yīnwèi	Because	Conjunction
她	tā	She	Pronoun
是	shì	Is	Verb
眾生之母 / 众生之母	zhòng shēng zhī mǔ	Mother of all living	Noun phrase

Sentence Structure:

亞當給他的妻子起名為夏娃 (Yàdāng gěi tā de qīzi qǐ míng wéi Xiàwá): Describes Adam naming his wife Eve, indicating an action of assigning a name.
因為她是眾生之母 (Yīnwèi tā shì zhòng shēng zhī mǔ): Provides the reason for her name, emphasizing her role as the mother of all living beings.

Key Grammar Points:

給 / 给 (gěi): Used here as a verb meaning “to give” or “to assign.”
起名 (qǐ míng): A verb phrase meaning “to name” or “to give a name.”
為 / 为 (wéi): A preposition meaning “as” or “to be.”
因為 / 因为 (yīnwèi): A conjunction meaning “because,” introducing the reason for the statement.

Tone Practice:

亞當 / 亚当 (Yàdāng): 4th tone (falling) + 1st tone (flat)
給 / 给 (gěi): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
他的 (tā de): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
妻子 (qīzi): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
起名 (qǐ míng): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
為 / 为 (wéi): 2nd tone (rising)
夏娃 (Xiàwá): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
因為 / 因为 (yīnwèi): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
她 (tā): 1st tone (flat)
是 (shì): 4th tone (falling)
眾生之母 / 众生之母 (zhòng shēng zhī mǔ): 4th tone (falling) + 1st tone (flat) + 1st tone (flat) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)

Key Characters:

亞當 / 亚当 (Yàdāng): Refers to Adam, the first man in the Biblical narrative.
夏娃 (Xiàwá): Refers to Eve, the first woman, named for her role as the mother of all living beings.
眾生 / 众生 (zhòng shēng): Literally means “all living beings,” emphasizing universality.
之母 (zhī mǔ): Means “mother of,” a formal structure indicating lineage or origin.

Naming Significance: The act of naming in both Hebrew and Chinese traditions carries deep significance, often reflecting identity, purpose, or relationship.
Eve as Mother: The concept of Eve as the “mother of all living” resonates with Chinese cultural values emphasizing the role of women in nurturing and continuity of life.
Role of Women: Eve’s role as the first mother parallels traditional Chinese reverence for matriarchal figures in familial and societal contexts.

夏娃 (Xiàwá): Picture a woman under a summer tree (夏 for “summer”) as the mother of all humanity.
眾生 / 众生 (zhòng shēng): Visualize a large crowd of living beings representing “all living.”
之母 (zhī mǔ): Imagine a nurturing figure connecting to all living beings through lineage.

Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיִּקְרָ֧א הָֽאָדָ֛ם שֵׁ֥ם אִשְׁתֹּ֖ו חַוָּ֑ה (VaYikra HaAdam Shem Ishto Chava): → 亞當給他的妻子起名為夏娃 (Yàdāng gěi tā de qīzi qǐ míng wéi Xiàwá): Both describe Adam naming his wife, with the Chinese capturing the action of assigning a name.
- כִּ֛י הִ֥וא הָֽיְתָ֖ה אֵ֥ם כָּל־חָֽי (Ki Hi Hayta Em Kol Chai): → 因為她是眾生之母 (Yīnwèi tā shì zhòng shēng zhī mǔ): Both emphasize Eve’s role as the mother of all living beings.
Comparison with English:
- “Adam named his wife Eve” corresponds to 亞當給他的妻子起名為夏娃 (Yàdāng gěi tā de qīzi qǐ míng wéi Xiàwá): Both highlight Adam’s action of naming.
- “Because she was the mother of all living” aligns with 因為她是眾生之母 (Yīnwèi tā shì zhòng shēng zhī mǔ): Both emphasize Eve’s role and identity.
Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Significance of Naming: Similar to Hebrew culture, Chinese tradition places great importance on naming, reflecting identity and purpose.
- Role of Women: Eve as the mother of all living aligns with Confucian respect for motherhood and its role in societal continuity.