Genesis 4:22

וְצִלָּ֣ה גַם־הִ֗וא יָֽלְדָה֙ אֶת־תּ֣וּבַל קַ֔יִן לֹטֵ֕שׁ כָּל־חֹרֵ֥שׁ נְחֹ֖שֶׁת וּבַרְזֶ֑ל וַֽאֲחֹ֥ות תּֽוּבַל־קַ֖יִן נַֽעֲמָֽה׃

西拉也生了土八勒·该隐，他是所有锻造铜铁的人的祖先；土八勒·该隐的妹妹是拿玛。

西拉也生了土八勒·该隐，他是所有锻造铜铁的人的祖先；土八勒·该隐的妹妹是拿玛。

Xī lā yě shēngle Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn, tā shì suǒyǒu duàn zuò tóng tiě de rén de zǔxiān; Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn de mèimei shì Nà mǎ.

And Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

1. Vocabulary Breakdown

Chinese Character	Pinyin	Meaning	Grammar Role
西拉 / 西拉	Xī lā	Zillah (proper noun)	Proper noun
也 / 也	yě	Also	Adverb
生 / 生	shēng	Gave birth to	Verb
了 / 了	le	Indicates completion of action	Particle
土八勒·该隐 / 土八勒·该隐	Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn	Tubal-cain (proper noun)	Proper noun
他 / 他	tā	He	Pronoun
是 / 是	shì	Is, to be	Verb
所有 / 所有	suǒyǒu	All	Pronoun
锻造 / 锻造	duàn zuò	Forge, make	Verb
铜 / 铜	tóng	Bronze	Noun
铁 / 铁	tiě	Iron	Noun
的 / 的	de	Possessive particle	Particle
人 / 人	rén	Person	Noun
祖先 / 祖先	zǔxiān	Ancestor	Noun
妹妹 / 妹妹	mèimei	Younger sister	Noun
拿玛 / 拿玛	Nà mǎ	Naamah (proper noun)	Proper noun

2. Grammar Explanation

Sentence Structure:

• 西拉 / 西拉 (Xī lā): Proper noun, the name of Tubal-cain’s mother, Zillah.
• 也 / 也 (yě): The adverb meaning “also,” indicating that Zillah is also a mother, just like her husband, Lamech.
• 生 / 生 (shēng): The verb “to give birth to,” which indicates the action of Zillah giving birth to Tubal-cain.
• 了 / 了 (le): A particle used to indicate the completion of an action, meaning that Tubal-cain has already been born.
• 土八勒·该隐 / 土八勒·该隐 (Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn): Tubal-cain, a proper noun used to indicate the name of the son born to Zillah.
• 他 / 他 (tā): Pronoun meaning “he,” referring to Tubal-cain.
• 是 / 是 (shì): The verb “to be,” linking Tubal-cain to the phrase “the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron.”
• 所有 / 所有 (suǒyǒu): The pronoun “all,” indicating that Tubal-cain is the progenitor of everyone who works with bronze and iron.
• 锻造 / 锻造 (duàn zuò): The verb for “to forge,” describing Tubal-cain’s occupation of making tools from metal.
• 铜 / 铜 (tóng): Noun meaning “bronze,” one of the materials Tubal-cain is known for forging.
• 铁 / 铁 (tiě): Noun meaning “iron,” another material Tubal-cain is associated with working with.
• 的 / 的 (de): Possessive particle linking Tubal-cain to the activity of forging.
• 人 / 人 (rén): Noun meaning “person,” referring to those who follow Tubal-cain’s craft.
• 祖先 / 祖先 (zǔxiān): Noun meaning “ancestor,” indicating Tubal-cain is the ancestor of all those who forge bronze and iron tools.
• 妹妹 / 妹妹 (mèimei): Noun meaning “younger sister,” referring to Tubal-cain’s sister, Naamah.
• 拿玛 / 拿玛 (Nà mǎ): Proper noun for Naamah, Tubal-cain’s sister.

3. Pronunciation Practice

Pinyin: Xī lā yě shēngle Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn, tā shì suǒyǒu duàn zuò tóng tiě de rén de zǔxiān; Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn de mèimei shì Nà mǎ.

Tone Practice:

• 西拉 / 西拉 (Xī lā): 1st tone (flat) + 1st tone (flat)
• 也 / 也 (yě): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
• 生 / 生 (shēng): 1st tone (flat)
• 了 / 了 (le): Neutral tone
• 土八勒·该隐 / 土八勒·该隐 (Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (flat) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
• 他 / 他 (tā): 1st tone (flat)
• 是 / 是 (shì): 4th tone (falling)
• 所有 / 所有 (suǒyǒu): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
• 锻造 / 锻造 (duàn zuò): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
• 铜 / 铜 (tóng): 2nd tone (rising)
• 铁 / 铁 (tiě): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
• 的 / 的 (de): Neutral tone
• 人 / 人 (rén): 2nd tone (rising)
• 祖先 / 祖先 (zǔxiān): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 1st tone (flat)
• 妹妹 / 妹妹 (mèimei): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
• 拿玛 / 拿玛 (Nà mǎ): 4th tone (falling) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)

4. Character Learning

Key Characters:

• 西拉 / 西拉 (Xī lā): The name of Tubal-cain’s mother, Zillah. This name signifies the importance of family lineage in the biblical narrative.
• 生 / 生 (shēng): The verb “to give birth to,” indicating that Zillah gave birth to Tubal-cain, who becomes a key figure in the biblical genealogies.
• 土八勒·该隐 / 土八勒·该隐 (Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn): The name of Tubal-cain, who is associated with the forging of bronze and iron tools, signifying technological innovation in ancient times.
• 锻造 / 锻造 (duàn zuò): The verb “to forge,” highlighting Tubal-cain’s contribution to metallurgy and his legacy in working with metals.
• 铜 / 铜 (tóng): Noun for “bronze,” an important material in the development of ancient tools and weapons, as used by Tubal-cain.
• 铁 / 铁 (tiě): Noun for “iron,” another material Tubal-cain is credited with working, representing the advancement of technology in the biblical world.
• 祖先 / 祖先 (zǔxiān): The term “ancestor,” linking Tubal-cain to future generations who would inherit his skills and legacy in metallurgy.
• 妹妹 / 妹妹 (mèimei): “Younger sister,” referring to Tubal-cain’s sister, Naamah, who is mentioned in the genealogy.
• 拿玛 / 拿玛 (Nà mǎ): The name of Tubal-cain’s sister, Naamah, who completes the family line in the biblical narrative.

5. Cultural Insights

• The Role of Innovation in Cultural Legacy: Tubal-cain is credited with forging tools out of bronze and iron, which would have been essential to the advancement of human civilization. This focus on metallurgy represents the broader theme of innovation shaping human history, an idea echoed in many cultures, including Chinese, where the discovery and refinement of materials such as bronze and iron was crucial for the development of ancient Chinese society.
• The Importance of Family and Lineage: Just as the Bible emphasizes Tubal-cain’s connection to his descendants, the importance of family and lineage is a central aspect of Chinese culture. In ancient China, the transmission of skills, knowledge, and cultural practices from one generation to the next was a key part of family identity. This connection is mirrored in the biblical passage, where Tubal-cain’s descendants inherit his craft and legacy.
• Technological Advancements in Ancient Cultures: Tubal-cain’s work with bronze and iron highlights the technological advancements of ancient societies. In both the Bible and Chinese history, metallurgy played a pivotal role in shaping economic, military, and cultural development. The forging of metals like bronze and iron was critical in the production of weapons, tools, and artworks, contributing to the rise of civilizations.

6. Mnemonics for Retention

• 西拉 / 西拉 (Xī lā): Think of “Xī lā” as the mother who gave birth to Tubal-cain, the inventor of metalworking.
• 生 / 生 (shēng): “Shēng” as the act of creating, similar to how Tubal-cain brought new technology to the world through his skills in forging.
• 土八勒·该隐 / 土八勒·该隐 (Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn): Remember “Tǔ bā lè” as the man who brought metallurgy into the biblical narrative.
• 锻造 / 锻造 (duàn zuò): Visualize Tubal-cain hammering metal, shaping bronze and iron tools for the future.
• 铜 / 铜 (tóng): Picture Tubal-cain’s tools made of bronze, central to his legacy as the father of metalworkers.
• 铁 / 铁 (tiě): “Tiě” as the symbol of strength, just as iron represented the durability and power of Tubal-cain’s craftsmanship.
• 祖先 / 祖先 (zǔxiān): Think of “zǔxiān” as a symbol of the family’s enduring legacy, passed down from Tubal-cain through generations of metalworkers.
• 妹妹 / 妹妹 (mèimei): Remember Naamah, Tubal-cain’s sister, as an integral part of the family legacy.
• 拿玛 / 拿玛 (Nà mǎ): “Nà mǎ” as a reminder of the sister who completes the family line of technological innovation.

7. Comparative Studies

• Comparison with Hebrew:
  • וְצִלָּ֣ה גַם־הִ֗וא יָֽלְדָה֙ אֶת־תּ֣וּבַל קַ֔יִן (Vetsīlāh gam-hī’ū yāledah et-Tūbāl Qayin): → 西拉也生了土八勒·该隐 (Xī lā yě shēngle Tǔ bā lè · Gāi yǐn): Both versions emphasize Zillah as the mother of Tubal-cain, the ancestor of metalworkers. The Hebrew uses a slightly more poetic form, focusing on the lineage of Tubal-cain, while the Chinese translation is straightforward and direct in naming the same family connection.
  • ה֣וּא הָיָ֔ה אֲבִ֕י כָּל־תֹּפֵ֥שׂ כִּנֹּ֖ור וְעוּגָֽב (Hû’ hāyāh ‘ăvī kōl tōfēš kinnōr û’ūḡāḇ): → 他是所有弹琴吹笛的人的祖先 (Tā shì suǒyǒu tán qín chuī dí de rén de zǔxiān): The English translation focuses on the skills associated with Tubal-cain’s descendants, the lyre and pipe makers, showing his lasting influence. The Hebrew, by contrast, emphasizes the crafting of musical instruments (the lyre and pipe) as part of Tubal-cain’s legacy, indicating his technological and cultural influence in a broader sense.
• Comparison with Chinese:
  • Significance of Metalworking and Craftsmanship: Tubal-cain’s legacy as a metalworker in the Bible is reminiscent of the importance of artisans in Chinese culture. In ancient China, blacksmiths, craftsmen, and metalworkers were essential for creating tools, weapons, and religious objects. Tubal-cain’s contribution to the technological revolution in the Bible mirrors the pivotal role of artisans and craftsmen in Chinese history.
  • The Role of Ancestors and Lineage: Both the Bible and Chinese culture place immense value on ancestry and legacy. Tubal-cain, through his work with metals, establishes a legacy that is carried forward by his descendants. Similarly, in Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on the continuation of family trades, crafts, and knowledge. Ancestral worship, as well as the transmission of skills, is a central part of Chinese cultural identity, just as Tubal-cain’s role as the father of metalworking is vital to the biblical narrative.

8. Application

This passage about Tubal-cain emphasizes the role of innovation and craftsmanship in shaping society. Tubal-cain’s skill in metallurgy and his establishment of a legacy of forging metal tools reflect the broader human experience of technological advancement. In both the Bible and Chinese history, innovation is seen as a means of improving daily life and contributing to the broader cultural narrative. Just as Tubal-cain’s descendants inherit his skills, Chinese families passed down their knowledge and craftsmanship from one generation to the next, ensuring the survival of vital cultural practices. The passage encourages us to recognize the power of inheritance, technological progress, and cultural legacy as foundational elements in human society.