וַתֹּ֣סֶף לָלֶ֔דֶת אֶת־אָחִ֖יו אֶת־הָ֑בֶל וַֽיְהִי־הֶ֨בֶל֙ רֹ֣עֵה צֹ֔אן וְקַ֕יִן הָיָ֖ה עֹבֵ֥ד אֲדָמָֽה׃
她又生了她的兒子亞伯，亞伯是牧羊人，該隱是耕地的。
她又生了她的儿子亚伯，亚伯是牧羊人，该隐是耕地的。
Tā yòu shēngle tā de érzi Yàbó, Yàbó shì mùyáng rén, Gāi Yǐn shì gēngdì de.
She also bore his brother Abel. Abel was a shepherd, and Cain was a tiller of the ground.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 她 | tā | She / Her | Pronoun |
| 又 | yòu | Again / Also | Adverb |
| 生了 | shēngle | Gave birth | Verb |
| 她的 | tā de | Her | Pronoun |
| 兒子 / 儿子 | érzi | Son | Noun |
| 亞伯 / 亚伯 | Yàbó | Abel | Proper noun |
| 是 | shì | Is / To be | Verb |
| 牧羊人 | mùyáng rén | Shepherd | Noun |
| 該隱 / 该隐 | Gāi Yǐn | Cain | Proper noun |
| 耕地 | gēngdì | To till the ground / To farm | Verb |
| 的 | de | Possessive particle / Modifier | Particle |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 她又生了她的兒子亞伯 (Tā yòu shēngle tā de érzi Yàbó): This phrase uses the verb “生了” (shēngle) to indicate that Eve gave birth to her son Abel. The adverb “又” (yòu) shows the continuation of events, meaning “again” or “also.”
- 亞伯是牧羊人 (Yàbó shì mùyáng rén): Abel’s role as a shepherd is introduced here with the verb “是” (shì), meaning “is” or “to be.” This clause describes Abel’s occupation.
- 該隱是耕地的 (Gāi Yǐn shì gēngdì de): Cain’s role as a farmer or tiller of the ground is expressed in the same structure, using “是” (shì) and “耕地的” (gēngdì de), meaning “tiller of the ground.”
Key Grammar Points:
- 又 (yòu): This adverb indicates an additional action or occurrence. It can be translated as “again” or “also,” showing that the birth of Abel is part of a sequence of events.
- 生了 (shēngle): The verb “to give birth,” indicating the completion of the action of birth.
- 是 (shì): A linking verb meaning “is” or “to be,” used here to describe Abel’s and Cain’s professions.
- 耕地 (gēngdì): To till the ground or farm, representing Cain’s occupation as a farmer.
- 的 (de): A particle that turns the previous word or phrase into a modifier, used here to modify “耕地” (gēngdì), indicating that Cain was a farmer.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Tā yòu shēngle tā de érzi Yàbó, Yàbó shì mùyáng rén, Gāi Yǐn shì gēngdì de.
Tone Practice:
- 她 (tā): 1st tone (flat)
- 又 (yòu): 4th tone (falling)
- 生了 (shēngle): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
- 她的 (tā de): 1st tone (flat) + neutral tone
- 兒子 / 儿子 (érzi): 2nd tone (rising) + neutral tone
- 亞伯 / 亚伯 (Yàbó): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 是 (shì): 4th tone (falling)
- 牧羊人 (mùyáng rén): 4th tone (falling) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 該隱 / 该隐 (Gāi Yǐn): 1st tone (flat) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 耕地 (gēngdì): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 的 (de): Neutral tone
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 亞伯 / 亚伯 (Yàbó): Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, whose role as a shepherd is central to the narrative of Cain and Abel.
- 該隱 / 该隐 (Gāi Yǐn): Cain, the first son of Adam and Eve, known for his role as a farmer and the tragic figure in the story of Cain and Abel.
- 牧羊人 (mùyáng rén): Shepherd, representing Abel’s profession, a figure traditionally associated with care and connection to nature in both Biblical and Chinese cultural contexts.
- 耕地 (gēngdì): Tilling the land, representing Cain’s profession as a farmer and the manual labor associated with cultivating the earth. This profession is often symbolized as the physical labor that sustains life.
- 生了 (shēngle): “To give birth,” a key verb in this context, indicating the creation of life, and a pivotal point in the continuation of the human race.
- 又 (yòu): An adverb meaning “again” or “also,” signaling that the birth of Abel is an additional act in the continuing narrative of Adam and Eve’s lives.
- 她的 (tā de): Possessive pronoun meaning “her,” marking Eve’s relationship to Abel as his mother.
5. Cultural Insights
- The Role of Professions: Abel’s role as a shepherd and Cain’s as a farmer reflect the different ways humans relate to the earth and its resources. In both biblical and Chinese cultures, these professions are tied to the idea of stewardship over the earth. A shepherd symbolizes care, guidance, and protection, while a farmer is linked to hard work and sustenance.
- Creation and Family: The birth of Abel marks the continuation of Adam and Eve’s family. This reflects the value of family in Chinese culture, where the birth of a son is seen as the continuation of one’s legacy. Both cultures place high importance on lineage and offspring.
- Divine Role in Birth: In this story, Cain and Abel are both born through divine will and purpose, echoing Chinese cultural views of the spiritual role in the birth of children, particularly in traditions where ancestors are revered and life is seen as a gift from the gods or the heavens.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 亞伯 / 亚伯 (Yàbó): Think of Abel as the “shepherd” who is always with his flock, representing care and peace. The pronunciation “Yàbó” sounds like “Yah” (a short form for God) and “Bo” (a peaceful sound), reminding you of Abel’s role as a peaceful figure in the narrative.
- 該隱 / 该隐 (Gāi Yǐn): Picture Cain as someone who tills the land, hard at work. The name “Gāi Yǐn” can be remembered by associating “Gāi” (change) and “Yǐn” (hidden), representing Cain’s internal struggles and the hidden jealousy that led to the tragic outcome of the story.
- 牧羊人 (mùyáng rén): A shepherd who takes care of the flock, visualize a peaceful field filled with sheep. “Mù” (牧) reminds you of “moo” from cows, tying the idea of caring for animals with the shepherd’s role.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַתֹּ֣סֶף לָלֶ֔דֶת אֶת־אָחִ֖יו אֶת־הָ֑בֶל (Vatessef Laledet Et Achiv Et Hevel): → 她又生了她的兒子亞伯 (Tā yòu shēngle tā de érzi Yàbó): Both phrases describe the birth of Abel, marking the continuation of Adam and Eve’s family.
- וַֽיְהִי־הֶ֨בֶל֙ רֹ֣עֵה צֹ֔אן (Vayehi Hevel Ro’eh Tzon): → 亞伯是牧羊人 (Yàbó shì mùyáng rén): This corresponds to Abel being a shepherd in both languages.
- וְקַ֕יִן הָיָ֖ה עֹבֵ֥ד אֲדָמָֽה (V’Kayin Hayah Oved Adamah): → 該隱是耕地的 (Gāi Yǐn shì gēngdì de): Cain’s occupation as a farmer is described in both languages.
- Comparison with English:
- “And she again bore his brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.” corresponds to 她又生了她的兒子亞伯，亞伯是牧羊人，該隱是耕地的 (Tā yòu shēngle tā de érzi Yàbó, Yàbó shì mùyáng rén, Gāi Yǐn shì gēngdì de): Both phrases describe the occupations of Abel and Cain, highlighting their different roles in the world.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Professions and Social Status: In Chinese culture, the occupations of shepherd and farmer are both respected, though the farmer might be seen as more connected to the earth. These roles align with the Biblical narrative, where each character’s profession symbolizes different aspects of human life.
- Family and Continuation: Similar to the Chinese cultural emphasis on familial lineage and legacy, the birth of Cain and Abel is a continuation of the human race. The narrative reflects the importance of carrying on one’s family name and work.
