כִּ֤י תַֽעֲבֹד֙ אֶת־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה לֹֽא־תֹסֵ֥ף תֵּת־כֹּחָ֖הּ לָ֑ךְ נָ֥ע וָנָ֖ד תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה בָאָֽרֶץ׃
你將耕種這地，但它不再給你產生力量；你必在地上流浪漂泊。
你将耕种这地，但它不再给你产生力量；你必在地上流浪漂泊。
Nǐ jiāng gēngzhòng zhè dì, dàn tā bù zài gěi nǐ chǎnshēng lìliàng; nǐ bì zài dì shàng liúlàng piāobó.
You will work the ground, but it will no longer yield good crops for you; you will be a restless wanderer on the earth.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你 / 你 | Nǐ | You | Pronoun |
| 將 / 将 | jiāng | Will | Modal verb |
| 耕種 / 耕种 | gēngzhòng | To farm, cultivate | Verb |
| 這 / 这 | zhè | This | Pronoun |
| 地 / 地 | dì | Ground | Noun |
| 不再 / 不再 | bù zài | No longer | Adverb |
| 給 / 给 | gěi | To give | Verb |
| 產生 / 产生 | chǎnshēng | To produce, yield | Verb |
| 力量 / 力量 | lìliàng | Strength, power | Noun |
| 流浪 / 流浪 | liúlàng | To wander, roam | Verb |
| 漂泊 / 漂泊 | piāobó | To drift, wander | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 你將 / 你将 (Nǐ jiāng): “You will.” This introduces the action that is going to happen as a result of Cain’s sin, indicating future tense.
- 耕種 / 耕种 (gēngzhòng): “To farm or cultivate.” This verb is used to describe the work that Cain will attempt, but the ground will no longer yield for him.
- 這 / 这 (zhè): “This,” referring to the ground, which is the object Cain will work.
- 不再 / 不再 (bù zài): “No longer,” indicating that the earth will not give Cain good crops anymore.
- 給 / 给 (gěi): “To give,” showing that the earth used to yield good crops but will now no longer do so.
- 產生 / 产生 (chǎnshēng): “To produce, yield,” describing what the earth will no longer do for Cain.
- 力量 / 力量 (lìliàng): “Strength or power,” referring to the earth’s ability to provide for Cain, which is now taken away.
- 流浪 / 流浪 (liúlàng): “To wander,” indicating Cain’s fate of being a wanderer on the earth.
- 漂泊 / 漂泊 (piāobó): “To drift, wander,” reinforcing the idea of Cain’s punishment and life without a place to settle.
Key Grammar Points:
- 將 / 将 (jiāng): A modal verb indicating a future action or event, used here to show that Cain’s work on the earth will lead to the consequences described in the passage.
- 不再 / 不再 (bù zài): A negative adverb meaning “no longer,” showing the earth’s refusal to yield its strength to Cain.
- 給 / 给 (gěi): Verb meaning “to give,” used here to show that the earth will no longer give Cain the strength to cultivate it.
- 流浪 / 流浪 (liúlàng) and 漂泊 / 漂泊 (piāobó): Both verbs describe Cain’s fate as a wanderer, unable to settle, emphasizing the consequences of his actions.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Nǐ jiāng gēngzhòng zhè dì, dàn tā bù zài gěi nǐ chǎnshēng lìliàng; nǐ bì zài dì shàng liúlàng piāobó.
Tone Practice:
- 現在 / 现在 (Xiànzài): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 不再 / 不再 (bù zài): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 給 / 给 (gěi): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 產生 / 产生 (chǎnshēng): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (flat)
- 力量 / 力量 (lìliàng): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 流浪 / 流浪 (liúlàng): 2nd tone (rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 漂泊 / 漂泊 (piāobó): 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 現在 / 现在 (Xiànzài): Adverb meaning “now,” setting the moment when God announces Cain’s punishment.
- 不再 / 不再 (bù zài): “No longer,” expressing the earth’s refusal to yield to Cain.
- 給 / 给 (gěi): Verb meaning “to give,” used to describe the earth’s prior act of providing for Cain, which will no longer happen due to his sin.
- 產生 / 产生 (chǎnshēng): “To produce, yield,” referring to the earth’s ability to yield crops, which is taken away from Cain as a consequence of his actions.
- 力量 / 力量 (lìliàng): Noun meaning “strength or power,” describing the earth’s vitality that Cain will no longer have access to.
- 流浪 / 流浪 (liúlàng): Verb meaning “to wander,” illustrating Cain’s punishment of becoming a wandering exile.
- 漂泊 / 漂泊 (piāobó): Verb meaning “to drift or wander,” emphasizing Cain’s life without stability as a result of his sin.
5. Cultural Insights
- The Concept of Divine Justice: In many cultures, the idea that actions have consequences is central to moral teachings. In this case, Cain’s punishment reflects divine retribution, as his sin leads to his separation from the earth, which he had worked. This is similar to the Chinese concept of 因果報應 (yīn guǒ bào yìng), which means “cause and effect,” suggesting that one’s actions inevitably lead to specific outcomes.
- Exile and Wandering: The concept of exile is significant in many religious and cultural narratives. In this story, Cain is forced to wander without rest, reflecting the cultural idea that sin leads to a loss of place and belonging. In Chinese culture, exile or wandering is often seen as a punishment for wrongdoing, emphasizing the loss of stability and peace that comes with guilt.
- Human Responsibility to the Land: Cain’s punishment of being cut off from the earth ties into the broader cultural and biblical view of humans as stewards of the earth. Cain’s sin disrupts the harmony between humanity and nature, which is reflected in his inability to cultivate the land. In Chinese tradition, the relationship between humans and nature is also considered sacred, and harmony with the earth is a key principle in both Confucian and Daoist teachings.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 不再 / 不再 (bù zài): Remember this as a “double negative” — it emphasizes that the earth will never again give Cain what he needs. “不” (bù) means “no,” and “再” (zài) means “again,” so “no more” is emphasized.
- 給 / 给 (gěi): Think of the verb “give” as the earth used to “give” Cain what he needed. But now, because of his actions, the earth will no longer “give.”
- 流浪 / 流浪 (liúlàng): The idea of “wandering” can be linked to the “flowing” or “drifting” nature of Cain’s new existence. “流” (liú) means “to flow,” and “浪” (làng) means “waves” or “wandering.” Together, they represent Cain’s aimless wandering.
- 漂泊 / 漂泊 (piāobó): This verb also conveys a sense of drifting, like a leaf in the wind. “漂” (piāo) means “to float,” and “泊” (bó) means “to stay or stop.” Together, they show Cain’s eternal restlessness, unable to stop and settle down.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- עַל־גְּחֹנְךָ (al-geḥon’kha): → 在地上 (zài dìshàng): In both versions, the punishment is connected to Cain’s relationship with the earth, but the Chinese version uses a more explicit reference to being on the earth rather than being cursed specifically on his “guts” as in Hebrew.
- תֵּת־כֹּחָ֖הּ (tēt koḥah): → 给你产生力量 (gěi nǐ chǎnshēng lìliàng): Both versions emphasize the earth no longer giving strength, but the Chinese version clearly states “producing strength” to highlight the earth’s role in Cain’s sustenance.
- נָע וָנָד תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה (na v’nad tiheyeh): → 你必在地上流浪漂泊 (nǐ bì zài dì shàng liúlàng piāobó): The punishment is conveyed similarly in both versions, with the Chinese focusing on the idea of wandering (“流浪漂泊”) and the Hebrew focusing on being a “restless wanderer.”
- Comparison with English:
- “You will work the ground, but it will no longer yield good crops for you; you will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” corresponds to 你将耕种这地，但它不再给你产生力量；你必在地上流浪漂泊 (Nǐ jiāng gēngzhòng zhè dì, dàn tā bù zài gěi nǐ chǎnshēng lìliàng; nǐ bì zài dì shàng liúlàng piāobó): Both texts express the same idea of Cain’s punishment and his inability to benefit from the land he once worked.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Exile and Wandering: The theme of wandering in Chinese culture often signifies a loss of status, honor, or place in society. It emphasizes the consequences of disrupting harmony or failing to adhere to societal norms. In Cain’s case, his wandering is a physical manifestation of his internal guilt and loss of purpose.
- Divine Justice: 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.
