וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־קָ֑יִן לָ֚מָּה חָ֣רָה לָ֔ךְ וְלָ֖מָּה נָפְל֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ׃
耶和華對該隱說，你為什麼發怒？為什麼臉色變了？
耶和华对该隐说，你为什么发怒？为什么脸色变了？
Yēhéhuá duì Gāi Yǐn shuō, nǐ wèishéme fānù? Wèishéme liǎnsè biànle?
And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 耶和華 / 耶和华 | Yēhéhuá | The LORD (YHWH) | Proper noun |
| 對 / 对 | duì | To, towards | Preposition |
| 該隱 / 该隐 | Gāi Yǐn | Cain | Proper noun |
| 說 / 说 | shuō | To say | Verb |
| 你 | nǐ | You | Pronoun |
| 為什麼 / 为什么 | wèishéme | Why | Interrogative |
| 發怒 / 发怒 | fānù | Anger, to be angry | Verb |
| 臉色 / 脸色 | liǎnsè | Facial expression | Noun |
| 變了 / 变了 | biànle | Changed | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 耶和華對該隱說 (Yēhéhuá duì Gāi Yǐn shuō): The phrase “對…說” (duì… shuō) is used to mean “said to” in Chinese, indicating the direction of the speech. “對” (duì) means “to,” and “說” (shuō) means “to say.”
- 為什麼發怒 (wèishéme fānù): “為什麼” (wèishéme) means “why,” and “發怒” (fānù) means “to be angry.” This is a direct question asking why Cain is angry.
- 為什麼臉色變了 (wèishéme liǎnsè biànle): “臉色” (liǎnsè) means “facial expression” or “countenance,” and “變了” (biànle) means “changed,” indicating that Cain’s facial expression has changed due to his anger.
Key Grammar Points:
- 對 / 对 (duì): This preposition means “to” or “towards,” showing the direction of the action. In this case, it indicates that God is addressing Cain.
- 為什麼 / 为什么 (wèishéme): An interrogative phrase meaning “why,” used here to ask Cain the reason for his anger and change in demeanor.
- 發怒 / 发怒 (fānù): A verb meaning “to be angry,” describing Cain’s emotional reaction after his offering was rejected.
- 臉色 / 脸色 (liǎnsè): This refers to the facial expression or countenance, indicating the outward manifestation of Cain’s internal emotional state.
- 變了 / 变了 (biànle): The verb “變” (biàn) means “to change,” and the use of “了” (le) indicates a change of state, meaning Cain’s facial expression has changed as a result of his emotions.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Yēhéhuá duì Gāi Yǐn shuō, nǐ wèishéme fānù? Wèishéme liǎnsè biànle?
Tone Practice:
- 耶和華 / 耶和华 (Yēhéhuá): 1st tone (flat) + 2nd tone (rising) + 1st tone (flat)
- 對 / 对 (duì): 4th tone (falling)
- 該隱 / 该隐 (Gāi Yǐn): 1st tone (flat) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 說 / 说 (shuō): 1st tone (flat)
- 你 (nǐ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 為什麼 / 为什么 (wèishéme): 4th tone (falling) + 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 發怒 / 发怒 (fānù): 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 臉色 / 脸色 (liǎnsè): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 4th tone (falling)
- 變了 / 变了 (biànle): 4th tone (falling) + neutral tone
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 對 / 对 (duì): A preposition meaning “to” or “towards,” showing that the action is directed at Cain.
- 為什麼 / 为什么 (wèishéme): An interrogative phrase meaning “why,” asking Cain the reason for his anger.
- 發怒 / 发怒 (fānù): A verb meaning “to be angry,” reflecting Cain’s emotional response to the rejection of his offering.
- 臉色 / 脸色 (liǎnsè): Noun meaning “facial expression,” here indicating Cain’s changed expression due to his anger.
- 變了 / 变了 (biànle): A verb meaning “changed,” indicating Cain’s emotional and physical response to the situation.
5. Cultural Insights
- Anger and Facial Expression: In many cultures, including both Biblical and Chinese traditions, emotions are often reflected in facial expressions. Cain’s changing facial expression symbolizes his inner turmoil, a concept easily understood across cultures where facial expressions are viewed as a direct manifestation of inner emotions. In Chinese culture, a person’s “臉色” (liǎnsè), or facial expression, is often analyzed to understand their emotional state. This parallels the Biblical description of Cain’s reaction to God’s disfavor.
- Divine Communication and Interrogation: The question posed by God to Cain—“Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?”—reflects the way in which divine figures in many cultures interact with individuals to prompt self-reflection. In Chinese tradition, deities or ancestors may also prompt individuals to examine their actions through questions or guidance, aiming to encourage better behavior or understanding.
- Anger and Resolution: Cain’s anger at God’s rejection of his offering is similar to how individuals in various cultures might react to rejection or disapproval. In Chinese culture, such emotional responses are often managed through self-control, emphasizing the importance of “face” and maintaining harmony. In both Biblical and Chinese contexts, the emotional state of the individual is critical to the narrative, and resolution often comes through introspection or action.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 對 / 对 (duì): Think of “對” (duì) as meaning “to” in the sense of direction or focus. Just as God is directing His question to Cain, this can help remember its use as a preposition indicating direction or focus.
- 為什麼 / 为什么 (wèishéme): “Why” can be remembered by thinking of the deep philosophical question “why” that underpins many important moments of self-reflection in life, as seen in this Biblical passage.
- 發怒 / 发怒 (fānù): The word “怒” (nù) means “anger,” which can be linked to Cain’s emotional state. You can imagine the intensity of anger rising as Cain’s offering is rejected, and how it leads to his facial expression changing.
- 臉色 / 脸色 (liǎnsè): “Facial expression” can be remembered by thinking of the “face” as an emotional mirror. Cain’s “facial expression” changed as a reflection of his inner anger.
- 變了 / 变了 (biànle): Think of “變” (biàn) as change, and remember how Cain’s face “changed” because of his internal emotions. This can help reinforce the idea of external changes reflecting internal states.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־קָ֑יִן (Vayomer YHWH el-Kayin): → 耶和華對該隱說 (Yēhéhuá duì Gāi Yǐn shuō): Both the Hebrew and Chinese describe God speaking directly to Cain. The verb “וַיֹּאמֶר” (Vayomer) meaning “And He said” is reflected in the Chinese verb “說” (shuō) meaning “to say.”
- לָ֚מָּה חָ֣רָה לָ֔ךְ (Lamah charah lakh): → 你為什麼發怒 (Nǐ wèishéme fānù): In both languages, God asks Cain why he is angry. The phrase “לָ֚מָּה” (Lamah) means “Why,” and “發怒” (fānù) in Chinese mirrors the concept of “anger” in the Hebrew text.
- וְלָ֖מָּה נָפְל֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ (V’lamah naf’lu panayikh): → 為什麼臉色變了 (Wèishéme liǎnsè biànle): Both languages describe Cain’s change in facial expression due to his emotional reaction. The Hebrew “פָנֶֽיךָ” (panayikh) refers to “your face,” which is mirrored by “臉色” (liǎnsè) in Chinese, meaning “facial expression.” The phrase “נָפְל֥וּ” (naf’lu) meaning “fell” in Hebrew is translated as “變了” (biànle), meaning “changed” in Chinese.
- Comparison with English:
- “And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?” corresponds to 耶和華對該隱說，你為什麼發怒？為什麼臉色變了？ (Yēhéhuá duì Gāi Yǐn shuō, nǐ wèishéme fānù? Wèishéme liǎnsè biànle?): Both passages describe the LORD questioning Cain’s anger and his changed expression, using similar phrasing to address the issue of Cain’s emotional state and its outward manifestation.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Divine Questioning: Just as God questions Cain about his anger, in Chinese culture, deities and ancestors are often depicted as guiding individuals through self-reflection, prompting them to examine their actions and emotions. The question “Why are you angry?” is a universal theme in many spiritual traditions.
- Facial Expression and Emotions: In both Biblical and Chinese culture, facial expressions are key to understanding a person’s emotional state. Cain’s changing expression is an example of how emotions can be visibly expressed through the face, which is a concept well understood in Chinese culture as well.
