וְעַתָּ֖ה אָר֣וּר אָ֑תָּה מִן־הָֽאֲדָמָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּצְתָ֣ה אֶת־פִּ֔יהָ לָקַ֛חַת אֶת־דְּמֵ֥י אָחִ֖יךָ מִיָּדֶֽךָ׃
現在你被詛咒，遠離地面，它開口吞下了你兄弟的血，這是從你手中來的。
现在你被诅咒，远离地面，它开口吞下了你兄弟的血，这是从你手中来的。
Xiànzài nǐ bèi zǔzhòu, yuǎnlí dìmiàn, tā kāikǒu tūn xiàle nǐ xiōngdì de xuè, zhè shì cóng nǐ shǒuzhōng lái de.
And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 現在 / 现在 | Xiànzài | Now | Adverb |
| 被 | bèi | Passive marker | Particle |
| 詛咒 / 诅咒 | zǔzhòu | Cursed | Verb |
| 遠離 / 远离 | yuǎnlí | To be far from | Verb |
| 地面 | dìmian | Ground | Noun |
| 開口 / 开口 | kāikǒu | To open the mouth | Verb phrase |
| 吞 / 吞 | tūn | To swallow | Verb |
| 兄弟 | xiōngdì | Brother | Noun |
| 血 | xuè | Blood | Noun |
| 手 / 手 | shǒu | Hand | Noun |
| 來 / 来 | lái | Come | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 現在 (Xiànzài): “Now.” This sets the time frame for the statement God is making to Cain.
- 你被詛咒 (nǐ bèi zǔzhòu): “You are cursed.” “被” (bèi) is the passive marker, indicating that Cain is the recipient of the curse.
- 遠離地面 (yuǎnlí dìmiàn): “Far from the ground.” “遠離” (yuǎnlí) means “to be far from” or “to be separated from,” and “地面” (dìmiàn) means “ground.”
- 它開口吞下了你兄弟的血 (tā kāikǒu tūn xiàle nǐ xiōngdì de xuè): “It opened its mouth and swallowed your brother’s blood.” “開口” (kāikǒu) means “to open the mouth,” and “吞下了” (tūn xiàle) means “swallowed.” “你兄弟的血” (nǐ xiōngdì de xuè) means “your brother’s blood.”
- 從你手中來 (cóng nǐ shǒuzhōng lái): “From your hand.” “從” (cóng) means “from,” “手中” (shǒuzhōng) means “from your hand,” and “來” (lái) means “to come,” indicating the source of the blood being spilled.
Key Grammar Points:
- 被 / 被 (bèi): The passive marker, showing that Cain is the one being cursed, and the action is directed towards him.
- 詛咒 / 诅咒 (zǔzhòu): Verb meaning “to curse.” Cain is being cursed by God for his actions.
- 遠離 / 远离 (yuǎnlí): Verb meaning “to be far from.” This expresses Cain’s separation from the ground, which is metaphorically and literally cut off from him as a result of his sin.
- 吞 / 吞 (tūn): Verb meaning “to swallow,” describing the action of the earth receiving Abel’s blood.
- 血 / 血 (xuè): Noun meaning “blood,” symbolizing the murder of Abel and the cry for justice.
- 來 / 来 (lái): Verb meaning “to come,” used here to describe the earth receiving the blood.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Xiànzài nǐ bèi zǔzhòu, yuǎnlí dìmiàn, tā kāikǒu tūn xiàle nǐ xiōngdì de xuè, zhè shì cóng nǐ shǒuzhōng lái de.
Tone Practice:
- 現在 / 现在 (Xiànzài): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 詛咒 / 诅咒 (zǔzhòu): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 遠離 / 远离 (yuǎnlí): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 地面 / 地面 (dìmiàn): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 開口 / 开口 (kāikǒu): 1st tone (flat) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 吞 / 吞 (tūn): 1st tone (flat)
- 血 / 血 (xuè): 4th tone (falling)
- 來 / 来 (lái): 2nd tone (rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 現在 / 现在 (Xiànzài): Adverb meaning “now,” indicating the present moment when God speaks to Cain.
- 被 / 被 (bèi): Passive marker, indicating that Cain is the recipient of the curse.
- 詛咒 / 诅咒 (zǔzhòu): Verb meaning “to curse,” indicating the judgment placed on Cain for his sin.
- 遠離 / 远离 (yuǎnlí): Verb meaning “to be far from,” referring to Cain’s separation from the earth, which now rejects him due to his actions.
- 地面 / 地面 (dìmiàn): Noun meaning “ground,” representing the earth, which now bears the consequence of Cain’s sin.
- 開口 / 开口 (kāikǒu): Verb phrase meaning “to open the mouth,” describing the earth’s reaction to receive Abel’s blood.
- 吞 / 吞 (tūn): Verb meaning “to swallow,” symbolizing the earth’s acceptance of Abel’s blood.
- 血 / 血 (xuè): Noun meaning “blood,” representing Abel’s murder and the injustice Cain committed.
- 來 / 来 (lái): Verb meaning “to come,” indicating the earth receiving Abel’s blood and the resulting curse on Cain.
5. Cultural Insights
- The Concept of Divine Retribution: In many cultures, there is a deep understanding that actions lead to consequences. Cain’s actions result in a curse from God, showing the principle of divine justice. In Chinese culture, this concept can be linked to the principle of 因果報應 (yīn guǒ bào yìng), meaning “cause and effect,” where every action brings about a corresponding consequence.
- The Role of the Earth in Justice: The earth in this passage is portrayed as a participant in justice, swallowing Abel’s blood and rejecting Cain. This idea of the earth bearing witness to wrongdoings is found in both the Bible and various traditions, where the land itself may react to the moral actions of its inhabitants.
- The Use of Blood as a Symbol: Blood is a powerful symbol in this text, representing both the violence of Cain’s actions and the cry for justice. In Chinese culture, blood is also seen as a symbol of life and death, and in cases of injustice, it may be seen as calling for retribution or divine intervention.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 詛咒 / 诅咒 (zǔzhòu): Remember the sound of “zǔ” as a low, descending tone, symbolizing the curse that falls upon Cain from the ground. “Zhòu” sounds like “choke,” reflecting the suffocating nature of the curse.
- 血 / 血 (xuè): “Xuè” sounds like “sweat,” but in this case, it represents the “blood” that cries out for justice.
- 吞 / 吞 (tūn): Think of “tūn” as the sound of the earth swallowing Abel’s blood, absorbing the consequence of Cain’s sin.
- 地面 / 地面 (dìmiàn): “Dì” sounds like “dip,” and “miàn” sounds like “meant,” representing the earth that now bears the weight of Cain’s actions.
- 來 / 来 (lái): “Lái” sounds like “lie,” representing how Abel’s blood lies in the earth, bringing forth the curse on Cain.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וְעַתָּ֖ה אָר֣וּר אָ֑תָּה (v’atah arur atah): → 现在你被诅咒 (Xiànzài nǐ bèi zǔzhòu): In both languages, Cain is directly cursed by God for his actions.
- מִן־הָֽאֲדָמָה (min ha’adamah): → 远离地面 (yuǎnlí dìmiàn): Both versions describe Cain’s separation from the earth, which now refuses to be his ally.
- אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּצְתָ֣ה אֶת־פִּ֔יהָ (asher patz’tah et-piyah): → 它开口吞下了你兄弟的血 (tā kāikǒu tūn xiàle nǐ xiōngdì de xuè): The earth opens its mouth to receive Abel’s blood, which is similarly portrayed in both versions.
- Comparison with English:
- “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.” corresponds to 现在你被诅咒，远离地面，它开口吞下了你兄弟的血，这是从你手中来的 (Xiànzài nǐ bèi zǔzhòu, yuǎnlí dìmiàn, tā kāikǒu tūn xiàle nǐ xiōngdì de xuè, zhè shì cóng nǐ shǒuzhōng lái de): Both texts describe the earth’s response to Cain’s sin and the curse that follows.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Accountability and Consequences: In both the Bible and Chinese traditions, there is a strong emphasis on the consequences of one’s actions. Cain’s curse reflects the cultural understanding of justice in Chinese society, where wrongdoing leads to inevitable consequences.
- Divine Retribution: The Chinese concept of 因果報應 (yīn guǒ bào yìng), meaning “cause and effect,” aligns with the Biblical narrative of Cain’s actions leading to divine punishment. In both cultures, the actions of individuals have lasting effects that cannot be escaped.
