וַיִּוָּלֵ֤ד לַֽחֲנֹוךְ֙ אֶת־עִירָ֔ד וְעִירָ֕ד יָלַ֖ד אֶת־מְחֽוּיָאֵ֑ל וּמְחִיּיָאֵ֗ל יָלַד֙ אֶת־מְת֣וּשָׁאֵ֔ל וּמְתוּשָׁאֵ֖ל יָלַ֥ד אֶת־לָֽמֶךְ׃
哈諾客生了以列，以列生了米哈雅伊，米哈雅伊生了瑪圖沙伊，瑪圖沙伊生了拉麥。
哈诺客生了以列，以列生了米哈雅伊，米哈雅伊生了玛图沙伊，玛图沙伊生了拉麦。
Hā nuò kè shēngle Yǐ liè, Yǐ liè shēngle Mǐ hā yǎ yī, Mǐ hā yǎ yī shēngle Mǎ tú shā yī, Mǎ tú shā yī shēngle Lā mò kè.
Enoch fathered Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 哈諾客 / 哈诺客 | Hā nuò kè | Enoch (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 生 / 生 | shēng | Gave birth to | Verb |
| 以列 / 以列 | Yǐ liè | Irad (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 米哈雅伊 / 米哈雅伊 | Mǐ hā yǎ yī | Mehujael (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 瑪圖沙伊 / 玛图沙伊 | Mǎ tú shā yī | Methushael (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 拉麥 / 拉麦 | Lā mò kè | Lamech (proper noun) | Proper noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 哈諾客 / 哈诺客 (Hā nuò kè): The name of Enoch. This is a proper noun in both the Hebrew and Chinese texts, representing the first person in this genealogy.
- 生 / 生 (shēng): The verb meaning “gave birth to,” indicating the action of fathering the next person in the lineage.
- 以列 / 以列 (Yǐ liè): The name of Irad, the first son of Enoch.
- 米哈雅伊 / 米哈雅伊 (Mǐ hā yǎ yī): The name of Mehujael, the son of Irad.
- 瑪圖沙伊 / 玛图沙伊 (Mǎ tú shā yī): The name of Methushael, the son of Mehujael.
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lā mò kè): The name of Lamech, the final person in the lineage mentioned here.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Hā nuò kè shēngle Yǐ liè, Yǐ liè shēngle Mǐ hā yǎ yī, Mǐ hā yǎ yī shēngle Mǎ tú shā yī, Mǎ tú shā yī shēngle Lā mò kè.
Tone Practice:
- 哈諾客 / 哈诺客 (Hā nuò kè): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 生 / 生 (shēng): 1st tone (flat)
- 以列 / 以列 (Yǐ liè): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 米哈雅伊 / 米哈雅伊 (Mǐ hā yǎ yī): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (flat) + 1st tone (flat)
- 瑪圖沙伊 / 玛图沙伊 (Mǎ tú shā yī): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 2nd tone (rising) + 1st tone (flat)
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lā mò kè): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 哈諾客 / 哈诺客 (Hā nuò kè): The proper noun for Enoch, representing the first in this lineage. Enoch is significant in biblical genealogy as the one whose descendants are mentioned in the text.
- 生 / 生 (shēng): The verb meaning “to give birth to” or “to produce,” which is used throughout the genealogical list to denote fathering or producing offspring.
- 以列 / 以列 (Yǐ liè): The name for Irad, the first descendant in this line of Cain’s progeny.
- 米哈雅伊 / 米哈雅伊 (Mǐ hā yǎ yī): The name for Mehujael, representing the second generation in the genealogy.
- 瑪圖沙伊 / 玛图沙伊 (Mǎ tú shā yī): The name for Methushael, indicating the third generation in this lineage.
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lā mò kè): The name for Lamech, the final person mentioned in this segment of Cain’s descendants.
5. Cultural Insights
- Genealogy and Legacy: The naming of descendants in the Bible often carries a significant meaning, and in Chinese culture, family legacy is also deeply valued. The continuity of Cain’s line reflects both a curse and a form of historical continuity. In Chinese culture, the passing down of family names and legacies plays an important role in maintaining the family’s identity through generations.
- The Importance of Names: Names in both the Hebrew Bible and Chinese culture are highly significant. In many traditional Chinese families, the first-born child may be given a name that reflects hopes for the future or embodies the family’s values. Similarly, Cain’s naming of his descendants shows the importance of passing down legacy through names.
- The Symbolism of Genealogy: Cain’s genealogy contrasts with the biblical lineage of Adam and Seth, emphasizing the consequences of Cain’s actions. In Chinese culture, genealogies are often used to preserve family history and provide moral lessons. Just as Cain’s descendants serve as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the ongoing curse on his line, genealogies in Chinese culture also serve to preserve the teachings and values of previous generations. The passing down of names and family stories is seen as a way to uphold family honor and maintain a connection to one’s ancestors. This concept can be found in both biblical and Chinese cultural traditions, where names and familial connections carry deep significance.In the context of Cain’s descendants, the genealogy shows that even in the midst of wrongdoing, life continues, and the descendants carry the weight of both their ancestor’s actions and their own futures. This theme reflects the broader idea in Chinese thought that actions have long-term effects, not only on the individual but also on future generations. Cain’s line, marked by the consequences of his sin, mirrors the way past actions in Chinese tradition are believed to affect family legacy, both positively and negatively.
The act of naming in this passage also brings attention to the concept of identity and the desire to establish one’s place in the world. Just as Cain names the city after his son to immortalize his family’s legacy, in Chinese culture, the naming of a child can be a deeply symbolic act that reflects the family’s hopes and aspirations for the child’s future. The importance of maintaining family identity and ensuring that future generations remember the past is a core cultural value shared in both biblical and Chinese traditions.
