Genesis 4:19

וַיִּֽקַּֽח־לֹ֥ו לֶ֖מֶךְ שְׁתֵּ֣י נָשִׁ֑ים שֵׁ֤ם הָֽאַחַת֙ עָדָ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית צִלָּֽה׃

拉麦娶了两个妻子，一个叫亚大，一个叫西拉。

拉麦娶了两个妻子，一个叫亚大，一个叫西拉。

Lā mò qǔle liǎng gè qīzi, yīgè jiào Yà dà, yīgè jiào Xī lā.

Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah.

1. Vocabulary Breakdown

Chinese Character	Pinyin	Meaning	Grammar Role
拉麦 / 拉麦	Lā mò	Lamech (proper noun)	Proper noun
娶 / 娶	qǔ	To take (a wife)	Verb
了 / 了	le	Indicates completed action	Particle
两个 / 两个	liǎng gè	Two (measure word)	Number + measure word
妻子 / 妻子	qīzi	Wife	Noun
一个 / 一个	yīgè	One (measure word)	Number + measure word
叫 / 叫	jiào	To call, to name	Verb
亚大 / 亚大	Yà dà	Adah (proper noun)	Proper noun
西拉 / 西拉	Xī lā	Zillah (proper noun)	Proper noun

2. Grammar Explanation

Sentence Structure:

• 拉麦 / 拉麦 (Lā mò): This is a proper noun for Lamech, the character in the Bible who had two wives.
• 娶 / 娶 (qǔ): The verb meaning “to take (a wife),” indicating the act of marriage or forming a union with a woman.
• 了 / 了 (le): A particle indicating the completion of an action. In this context, it marks the action of Lamech taking two wives as complete.
• 两个 / 两个 (liǎng gè): This phrase means “two,” with the measure word 个 used to quantify the noun that follows.
• 妻子 / 妻子 (qīzi): Noun meaning “wife,” referring to Lamech’s spouses.
• 一个 / 一个 (yīgè): “One,” with the measure word 个 used to count individual objects, in this case, wives.
• 叫 / 叫 (jiào): Verb meaning “to call” or “to name,” indicating the act of naming the wives.
• 亚大 / 亚大 (Yà dà): The name of Lamech’s first wife, Adah, a proper noun.
• 西拉 / 西拉 (Xī lā): The name of Lamech’s second wife, Zillah, also a proper noun.

3. Pronunciation Practice

Pinyin: Lā mò qǔle liǎng gè qīzi, yīgè jiào Yà dà, yīgè jiào Xī lā.

Tone Practice:

• 拉麦 / 拉麦 (Lā mò): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
• 娶 / 娶 (qǔ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
• 了 / 了 (le): Neutral tone
• 两个 / 两个 (liǎng gè): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
• 妻子 / 妻子 (qīzi): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
• 一个 / 一个 (yīgè): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
• 叫 / 叫 (jiào): 4th tone (falling)
• 亚大 / 亚大 (Yà dà): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
• 西拉 / 西拉 (Xī lā): 1st tone (flat) + 1st tone (flat)

4. Character Learning

Key Characters:

• 拉麦 / 拉麦 (Lā mò): Lamech, a significant character in the genealogical line of Cain. His name represents the continuation of the line despite the curse placed on his ancestor.
• 娶 / 娶 (qǔ): The verb for “to take a wife,” reflecting the ancient practice of marriage in both the Hebrew and Chinese traditions.
• 了 / 了 (le): A common particle in Chinese that indicates the completion of an action, reflecting the fact that Lamech has already taken two wives.
• 两个 / 两个 (liǎng gè): “Two,” a number phrase used to indicate quantity. This is a common construction in Chinese for expressing numbers and counting.
• 妻子 / 妻子 (qīzi): Noun meaning “wife,” indicating a woman in a marriage relationship.
• 叫 / 叫 (jiào): Verb meaning “to call” or “to name,” reflecting the act of assigning names to people or things.
• 亚大 / 亚大 (Yà dà): The name of Lamech’s first wife, Adah. This is a proper noun and carries cultural significance in the context of family and legacy.
• 西拉 / 西拉 (Xī lā): The name of Lamech’s second wife, Zillah. Similarly, it is a proper noun representing a significant character in this genealogical line.

5. Cultural Insights

• Polygamy in Ancient Texts: The practice of polygamy, where a man takes multiple wives, is reflected in both biblical and Chinese historical contexts. In the Bible, Lamech’s polygamy marks a continuation of the human desire to form strong familial ties, while in Chinese culture, polygamy was also historically practiced by emperors and high-ranking individuals, symbolizing wealth, power, and the desire to secure strong family alliances. The concept of polygamy in both cultures reflects the idea of creating a larger family unit to ensure legacy, and in some cases, to establish control and influence over different parts of society.
• The Role of Names in Cultural Identity: In both biblical and Chinese cultures, names hold significant meaning. Lamech’s naming of his wives and the continuation of the family line through naming reflects the importance of preserving identity and legacy. In Chinese culture, naming is a very meaningful practice, where names are often chosen to embody hopes and aspirations for the future. Similarly, Cain’s descendants were given names that not only represented their identity but also reflected their roles in the broader story.
• Family Legacy and Continuity: Lamech’s actions in taking two wives and continuing the lineage of his family reflects the importance of family legacy. In both the Hebrew Bible and Chinese culture, there is an emphasis on ensuring that family legacy and reputation are carried on through generations. Whether through naming, polygamy, or the passing down of wisdom, maintaining family honor is a key element in both cultures. The desire to build a lasting family legacy can be seen as a way to mitigate or counterbalance the past and shape the future.

6. Mnemonics for Retention

• 拉麦 / 拉麦 (Lā mò): Remember “Lamech” as the man who begins the next chapter of Cain’s family, symbolizing both continuation and a new chapter after the curse.
• 娶 / 娶 (qǔ): Think of the action of “taking a wife” as an important step in both personal and familial identity.
• 西拉 / 西拉 (Xī lā): Use the name “Zillah” to remember Lamech’s second wife, whose name begins with “X,” symbolizing the continuation of the family legacy.
• 两个 / 两个 (liǎng gè): The phrase “two” reminds you of Lamech’s polygamous nature, having two wives in the lineage of Cain.
• 名字 / 名字 (míngzì): Remember that naming the city and his family members is a key cultural act in Chinese and biblical traditions, signifying legacy.

7. Comparative Studies

• Comparison with Hebrew:
  • וַיִּקַּֽח־לֹ֥ו לֶ֖מֶךְ שְׁתֵּ֣י נָשִׁ֑ים (vayyiqaḥ-lo Lemeḥ shenay nasim): → 拉麦娶了两个妻子 (Lā mò qǔle liǎng gè qīzi): Both texts convey that Lamech took two wives. The Chinese and Hebrew versions emphasize the same concept, though the Chinese version is more straightforward in its syntax.
  • עָדָ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית צִלָּֽה (Adah veshēm hashēnīt Zillāh): → 一个叫亚大，一个叫西拉 (yīgè jiào Yà dà, yīgè jiào Xī lā): The names of Lamech’s wives are consistent in both the Hebrew and Chinese, with Adah and Zillah being transliterated into their respective forms in Chinese.
• Comparison with English:
  • “Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah” (English) vs. “拉麦娶了两个妻子，一个叫亚大，一个叫西拉” (Chinese):
    Both versions express the same meaning. The Chinese version uses a more concise syntax, but both versions emphasize the same concept of Lamech’s polygamous relationship with two women, Adah and Zillah.
• Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
  • Polygamy in Chinese History: In ancient China, polygamy was practiced by emperors and the wealthy, symbolizing power, control, and the ability to ensure a strong family lineage. This idea mirrors the biblical story of Lamech’s polygamy, where his family continues through his multiple wives.
  • Family Legacy and Naming in Chinese Culture: The naming of Lamech’s wives and his children, as well as the lineage continuation, is similar to Chinese practices where family legacy is preserved through names and genealogies. In Chinese culture, the act of naming children or significant places also serves to solidify one’s family identity and legacy.

8. Application

This passage highlights the importance of legacy, naming, and family in both biblical and Chinese traditions. Lamech’s polygamous relationship serves as a reminder of the complexities of family structures and the ways in which individuals seek to ensure their legacy continues. It also shows the significance of names in preserving one’s identity and history. Whether in the Bible or in Chinese culture, the act of naming is deeply tied to the desire to shape the future and ensure that one’s family and actions are remembered.