וּלְשֵׁ֤ת גַּם־הוּא֙ יֻלַּד־בֵּ֔ן וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמֹ֖ו אֱנֹ֑ושׁ אָ֣ז הוּחַ֔ל לִקְרֹ֖א בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהוָֽה׃
示特也生了一个儿子，给他起名叫以诺，那时人类开始求告耶和华的名。
示特也生了一个儿子，给他起名叫以诺，那时人类开始求告耶和华的名。
Shìtè yě shēngle yī gè érzi, gěi tā qǐ míng jiào Yǐnuò, nà shí rénlèi kāishǐ qiúgào Yēhéhuá de míng.
And to Seth, a son was also born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 示特 / 示特 | Shìtè | Seth (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 也 / 也 | yě | Also | Adverb |
| 生 / 生 | shēng | To give birth | Verb |
| 了 / 了 | le | Particle indicating completed action | Particle |
| 一个 / 一个 | yī gè | One, a | Measure word |
| 儿子 / 儿子 | érzi | Son | Noun |
| 给 / 给 | gěi | To give | Verb |
| 他 / 他 | tā | His | Pronoun |
| 起名 / 起名 | qǐ míng | To name | Verb |
| 叫 / 叫 | jiào | To call | Verb |
| 以诺 / 以诺 | Yǐnuò | Enosh (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 那时 / 那时 | nà shí | At that time | Adverbial phrase |
| 人类 / 人类 | rénlèi | Human beings | Noun |
| 开始 / 开始 | kāishǐ | To begin | Verb |
| 求告 / 求告 | qiúgào | To call upon | Verb |
| 耶和华 / 耶和华 | Yēhéhuá | The Lord (God) | Proper noun |
| 的 / 的 | de | Possessive particle | Particle |
| 名 / 名 | míng | Name | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 示特 / 示特 (Shìtè): “Seth,” the name of Adam and Eve’s third son, is central in the biblical story, representing the continuation of the human line after Abel’s death.
- 了 / 了 (le): This particle indicates the completion of the action, as Seth was born to Adam and Eve.
- 儿子 / 儿子 (érzi): “Son,” referring to the offspring of Adam and Eve, specifically Seth in this context.
- 起名 / 起名 (qǐ míng): “To name,” the verb used to show the action of giving Seth his name.
- 以诺 / 以诺 (Yǐnuò): “Enosh,” the name given to Seth’s son, signifying a new generation of humanity and the shift in the relationship with God.
- 求告 / 求告 (qiúgào): “To call upon,” used in the passage to describe how humanity began to invoke the name of the Lord, marking a shift toward worship and a deeper connection with God.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 示特 / 示特 (Shìtè): [shì tè] – “Shì” has a falling tone, and “tè” also has a falling tone. Keep the tones clear and distinct.
- 以诺 / 以诺 (Yǐnuò): [yǐ nuò] – “Yǐ” has a rising tone, and “nuò” has a falling tone. Make sure to differentiate the tones clearly.
- 人类 / 人类 (rénlèi): [rén lèi] – “Rén” has a rising tone, and “lèi” has a falling tone. Ensure that both tones are pronounced properly.
- 求告 / 求告 (qiúgào): [qiú gào] – “Qiú” has a rising tone, and “gào” has a falling tone. Pronounce each tone clearly.
- 耶和华 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): [yē hé huá] – All three syllables have high-level tones, so keep the pitch steady throughout the pronunciation.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 示特 / 示特 (Shìtè): Seth, the son of Adam and Eve, born after the death of Abel, symbolizing the continuation of humanity and divine provision.
- 以诺 / 以诺 (Yǐnuò): Enosh, Seth’s son, whose name represents the next step in the human lineage and the beginning of calling on the name of the Lord.
- 人类 / 人类 (rénlèi): Human beings, referring to mankind as a whole. This term emphasizes the continuity of human existence and the beginning of humanity’s relationship with God through Enosh.
- 求告 / 求告 (qiúgào): To call upon, referring to humanity’s active engagement in worship and invoking the name of God for guidance and blessings.
- 耶和华 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): The Lord, a central term in both Hebrew and Chinese biblical translations for God, emphasizing His role in guiding humanity.
5. Cultural Insights
- The Concept of Naming: In both the Bible and Chinese culture, names carry significant meaning. Naming a child is not only a way to identify them but also a way to reflect hope, purpose, or divine involvement. In this case, Seth’s son, Enosh, represents a new phase in humanity, marking the first time that people began to call upon the name of the Lord. This practice of invoking God’s name is seen as a pivotal cultural and spiritual moment in human history.
- Spiritual Practices and Their Origins: The act of calling upon God, initiated by Enosh, can be seen as the beginning of organized worship. In many cultures, including both biblical and Chinese traditions, rituals, prayers, and invocations to higher powers are key elements of maintaining spiritual connections and community. This moment highlights the universal human search for meaning and connection to the divine, a theme shared across different traditions.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 示特 / 示特 (Shìtè): Remember Seth as the son who continues the human line after Abel’s death. His name signifies hope and divine continuity.
- 以诺 / 以诺 (Yǐnuò): Enosh’s name marks the beginning of human worship and the calling on God’s name. To remember, think of Enosh as the first to actively engage in prayer and connection to the divine.
- 人类 / 人类 (rénlèi): “Human beings,” a term reflecting the collective human race and their ongoing relationship with God as established in this story.
- 求告 / 求告 (qiúgào): To “call upon,” an action that signifies the start of worship, prayer, and seeking divine help, first practiced by the descendants of Adam through Enosh.
- 耶和华 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): “The Lord,” a name that signifies the omnipresent and all-powerful deity who guides and sustains humanity, invoked by Enosh and his descendants.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וּלְשֵׁ֤ת גַּם־הוּא֙ יֻלַּד־בֵּ֔ן וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמֹ֖ו אֱנֹ֑ושׁ → 示特也生了一个儿子，给他起名叫以诺。 Both texts highlight Seth’s role in continuing the human line, and Enosh’s birth marks a turning point in humanity’s relationship with God.
- Comparison with Chinese:
- The Beginning of Worship: In both the Bible and Chinese cultures, invoking the name of a deity marks a significant spiritual development. In this case, the calling on the name of the Lord begins with Enosh, which parallels cultural practices in various traditions where prayers and worship signify spiritual maturity and recognition of divine power.
- Human Responsibility and Relationship with the Divine: The act of calling upon the name of God emphasizes humanity’s responsibility to seek guidance, strength, and purpose from a higher power. This theme resonates deeply in both the biblical context and in Chinese religious traditions, where honoring and seeking connection with deities plays an integral role in the spiritual and moral development of individuals and communities.
8. Application
This passage highlights the importance of spiritual connection and recognition of divine authority, as seen in the actions of Enosh and his descendants. The idea that humans begin to call upon the name of the Lord marks the beginning of organized worship, a practice that continues to shape religious traditions today. In our modern world, this can inspire us to reflect on our own spiritual practices and how we seek connection with higher powers. Whether through prayer, meditation, or other forms of worship, the calling on God’s name serves as a reminder of our dependence on divine guidance and grace. Additionally, the theme of divine continuity, seen in the birth of Seth and Enosh, encourages us to recognize the importance of legacy, family, and the values passed down through generations.
