וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֗ים הֵ֤ן הָֽאָדָם֙ הָיָה֙ כְּאַחַ֣ד מִמֶּ֔נּוּ לָדַ֖עַת טֹ֣וב וָרָ֑ע וְעַתָּ֣ה פֶּן־יִשְׁלַ֣ח יָדֹ֗ו וְלָקַח֙ גַּ֚ם מֵעֵ֣ץ הַֽחַיִּ֔ים וְאָכַ֖ל וָחַ֥י לְעֹלָֽם׃
耶和華神說，看啊，這人已經像我們一樣，能夠知道善惡。現在恐怕他伸手，拿取生命樹的果子吃，就永遠活著。
耶和华神说，看啊，这人已经像我们一样，能够知道善恶。现在恐怕他伸手，拿取生命树的果子吃，就永远活着。
Yēhéhuá Shén shuō, kàn a, zhè rén yǐjīng xiàng wǒmen yīyàng, nénggòu zhīdào shàn è. Xiànzài kǒngpà tā shēn shǒu, ná qǔ shēngmìng shù de guǒzi chī, jiù yǒngyuǎn huózhe.
The LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 耶和華 / 耶和华 | Yēhéhuá | The LORD (YHWH) | Proper noun |
| 神 | Shén | God | Noun |
| 說 / 说 | shuō | To say | Verb |
| 看啊 | kàn a | Behold | Interjection |
| 這人 / 这人 | zhè rén | This man | Noun phrase |
| 像 | xiàng | Like | Preposition |
| 我們 / 我们 | wǒmen | Us | Pronoun |
| 一樣 / 一样 | yīyàng | Same | Adjective |
| 能夠 / 能够 | nénggòu | To be able to | Verb |
| 知道 | zhīdào | To know | Verb |
| 善惡 / 善恶 | shàn è | Good and evil | Noun phrase |
| 現在 / 现在 | xiànzài | Now | Adverb |
| 恐怕 | kǒngpà | Afraid | Verb |
| 伸手 | shēn shǒu | Stretch out hand | Verb phrase |
| 拿取 | ná qǔ | To take | Verb |
| 生命樹 / 生命树 | shēngmìng shù | Tree of life | Noun phrase |
| 果子 | guǒzi | Fruit | Noun |
| 吃 | chī | To eat | Verb |
| 永遠 / 永远 | yǒngyuǎn | Forever | Adverb |
| 活著 / 活着 | huózhe | Live | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 耶和華神說 (Yēhéhuá Shén shuō): A simple sentence structure indicating the speaker (God) and the action (speaking).
- 這人已經像我們一樣 (Zhè rén yǐjīng xiàng wǒmen yīyàng): Describes the man becoming like God, able to discern good and evil.
- 現在恐怕他伸手 (Xiànzài kǒngpà tā shēn shǒu): Expresses concern that the man may take action (stretch out his hand).
- 拿取生命樹的果子吃 (Ná qǔ shēngmìng shù de guǒzi chī): Describes the action of taking and eating from the tree of life.
- 就永遠活著 (Jiù yǒngyuǎn huózhe): States the consequence: living forever if the action is carried out.
Key Grammar Points:
- 已經 (yǐjīng): Indicates the completion of an action or a state that has already happened.
- 像 (xiàng): A preposition meaning “like,” used for comparisons.
- 恐怕 (kǒngpà): A verb indicating concern, similar to “afraid that” in English.
- 伸手 (shēn shǒu): A verb phrase meaning “to stretch out the hand,” indicating a physical action.
- 永遠 (yǒngyuǎn): An adverb meaning “forever,” emphasizing the eternal nature of the consequence.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Yēhéhuá Shén shuō, kàn a, zhè rén yǐjīng xiàng wǒmen yīyàng, nénggòu zhīdào shàn è. Xiànzài kǒngpà tā shēn shǒu, ná qǔ shēngmìng shù de guǒzi chī, jiù yǒngyuǎn huózhe.
Tone Practice:
- 耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): 1st tone (flat) + 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 神 (Shén): 2nd tone (rising)
- 說 / 说 (shuō): 1st tone (flat)
- 看啊 (kàn a): 4th tone (falling) + neutral tone
- 這人 / 这人 (zhè rén): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 像 (xiàng): 4th tone (falling)
- 我們 / 我们 (wǒmen): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 一樣 / 一样 (yīyàng): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 能夠 / 能够 (nénggòu): 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 知道 (zhīdào): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 善惡 / 善恶 (shàn è): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 現在 / 现在 (xiànzài): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 恐怕 (kǒngpà): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 伸手 (shēn shǒu): 1st tone (flat) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 拿取 (ná qǔ): 2nd tone (rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 生命樹 / 生命树 (shēngmìng shù): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 果子 (guǒzi): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 吃 (chī): 1st tone (flat)
- 永遠 / 永远 (yǒngyuǎn): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 活著 / 活着 (huózhe): 2nd tone (rising) + neutral tone
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): Refers to the personal name of God, indicating divine authority and creation.
- 神 (Shén): A general term for “God,” used for any divine being in Chinese religious and philosophical contexts.
- 說 / 说 (shuō): A common verb meaning “to speak” or “to say,” essential for communication.
- 看啊 (kàn a): Used to grab attention, meaning “behold” or “look.”
- 這人 / 这人 (zhè rén): “This man,” referring to the human being in the narrative.
- 像 (xiàng): A preposition meaning “like,” used for comparisons.
- 我們 / 我们 (wǒmen): “We” or “us,” referring to the speaker and others.
- 一樣 / 一样 (yīyàng): “The same,” used to indicate similarity or equality.
- 能夠 / 能够 (nénggòu): Indicates ability or possibility, meaning “to be able to.”
- 知道 (zhīdào): “To know,” a fundamental verb for understanding and awareness.
- 善惡 / 善恶 (shàn è): “Good and evil,” referring to moral knowledge and discernment.
- 現在 / 现在 (xiànzài): “Now,” used to indicate the present moment or situation.
- 恐怕 (kǒngpà): “Afraid” or “fearful,” used to express concern or caution.
- 伸手 (shēn shǒu): “To stretch out one’s hand,” often used to represent an action of reaching or taking.
- 拿取 (ná qǔ): “To take” or “to grab,” referring to the act of physically obtaining something.
- 生命樹 / 生命树 (shēngmìng shù): “Tree of life,” a symbolic and important element in many religious and philosophical traditions.
- 果子 (guǒzi): “Fruit,” representing the result or product of something, in this case, the fruit from the tree of life.
- 吃 (chī): “To eat,” indicating the act of consumption or ingestion.
- 永遠 / 永远 (yǒngyuǎn): “Forever,” emphasizing the timeless and eternal nature of something.
- 活著 / 活着 (huózhe): “To live,” indicating the state of being alive, often used in the context of existence and vitality.
5. Cultural Insights
- Becoming Like God: The idea of humans becoming “like God” in their knowledge of good and evil is a theme present in both Hebrew and Chinese traditions. In Chinese philosophy, the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is seen as a way to elevate oneself spiritually, although the consequences are not as dire as in the Biblical narrative.
- The Tree of Life: The Tree of Life, while present in many traditions, symbolizes eternal life. In Chinese culture, the concept of immortality is prevalent in Taoist philosophy, where immortality is often sought through spiritual practices or the consumption of special elixirs.
- Fear of Immortality: The idea of humanity’s desire for immortality and the fear of its consequences can be compared to the Chinese stories of the pursuit of longevity, where achieving immortality is often viewed as dangerous or unnatural.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 善惡 / 善恶 (shàn è): Imagine a judge weighing good and evil, as this phrase represents moral discernment.
- 生命樹 / 生命树 (shēngmìng shù): Picture a vibrant tree bearing fruit that represents eternal life, similar to the symbolic Tree of Life in the narrative.
- 恐怕 (kǒngpà): Visualize a worried face as you learn this word, representing the concern or fear of the consequences of taking from the tree.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֗ים (VaYomer YHWH Elohim): → 耶和華神說 (Yēhéhuá Shén shuō): Both describe God speaking to the human being, showing His authority and the transmission of knowledge.
- הֵ֤ן הָֽאָדָם֙ הָיָה֙ כְּאַחַ֣ד מִמֶּ֔נּוּ (Hēn HaAdam Hayah K’akhad Mimenu): → 這人已經像我們一樣 (Zhè rén yǐjīng xiàng wǒmen yīyàng): Both indicate that Adam has become like God, capable of knowing good and evil.
- עַתָּ֣ה פֶּן־יִשְׁלַ֣ח יָדֹ֗ו וְלָקַח֙ (Atah Pen Yishlah Yadōw V’laqakh): → 現在恐怕他伸手 (Xiànzài kǒngpà tā shēn shǒu): Expresses concern in both Hebrew and Chinese about what might happen if Adam reaches out and takes from the tree.
- גַּ֚ם מֵעֵ֣ץ הַֽחַיִּ֔ים וְאָכַ֖ל וָחַ֥י לְעֹלָֽם (Gam Me’etz HaChayim V’achal V’chai L’olam): → 拿取生命樹的果子吃 (Ná qǔ shēngmìng shù de guǒzi chī): Describes the consequence of Adam eating from the Tree of Life, which is eternal life, and the potential fear of this eternal life being granted.
- Comparison with English:
- “The LORD God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil.'” corresponds to 耶和華神說，看啊，這人已經像我們一樣，能夠知道善惡 (Yēhéhuá Shén shuō, kàn a, zhè rén yǐjīng xiàng wǒmen yīyàng, nénggòu zhīdào shàn è): Both sentences highlight the shift in Adam’s nature after gaining knowledge of good and evil.
- “Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” aligns with 現在恐怕他伸手，拿取生命樹的果子吃，永遠活著 (Xiànzài kǒngpà tā shēn shǒu, ná qǔ shēngmìng shù de guǒzi chī, yǒngyuǎn huózhe): Both express the concern about Adam gaining immortality by eating from the Tree of Life.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Becoming Like God: In Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoism, there is an idea of transcending human limitations and becoming god-like or immortal. Similarly, in this verse, Adam gains knowledge and becomes like God in knowing good and evil, but with consequences.
- The Tree of Life: The idea of the Tree of Life resonates with the Chinese concept of immortality. Many ancient Chinese myths describe magical elixirs or trees that can grant eternal life, similar to the biblical tree.
- Fear of Immortality: The Chinese cultural narrative often reflects a balance between life and death, with immortality viewed as both desirable and potentially dangerous, similar to the biblical warning in this verse.
