וַיְחִ֣י קֵינָ֗ן אַחֲרֵי֙ הֹולִידֹ֣ו אֶת־מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֥ולֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֹֽות׃
該南生了瑪勒列之後又活了八百四十年，並且生兒養女。
该南生了玛勒列之后又活了八百四十年，并且生儿养女。
Gāinán shēngle Mǎlèlè zhīhòu yòu huóle bābǎi sìshí nián, bìngqiě shēng ér yǎng nǚ.
Kenan lived another 840 years after fathering Mahalalel and had sons and daughters.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 該南 / 该南 | Gāinán | Kenan (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 生了 | shēngle | Gave birth to; fathered | Verb |
| 瑪勒列 / 玛勒列 | Mǎlèlè | Mahalalel (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 之後 / 之后 | zhīhòu | After | Adverb |
| 又活了 | yòu huóle | Lived another | Verb phrase |
| 八百四十 | bābǎi sìshí | 840 | Numeral |
| 年 | nián | Years | Noun |
| 並且 / 并且 | bìngqiě | And; furthermore | Conjunction |
| 生 | shēng | Gave birth to | Verb |
| 兒 / 儿 | ér | Son | Noun |
| 養 / 养 | yǎng | Raise | Verb |
| 女 | nǚ | Daughter | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 該南 / 该南 (Gāinán): The proper noun for Kenan, an ancestor in the genealogy.
- 生了 (shēngle): Indicates the act of fathering a child.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): Means “after,” showing the sequence of events.
- 並且 / 并且 (bìngqiě): A conjunction indicating an additional action.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 該南 / 该南 (Gāinán): [gāi nán] – Both syllables have clear tones: “gāi” (high-level) and “nán” (rising).
- 瑪勒列 / 玛勒列 (Mǎlèlè): [mǎ lè lè] – “Mǎ” is rising, and both “lè” syllables are falling tones.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): [zhī hòu] – “Zhī” is high-level, and “hòu” is falling tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 該南 / 该南 (Gāinán): Represents Kenan, continuing the genealogical record.
- 瑪勒列 / 玛勒列 (Mǎlèlè): The name of Kenan’s son, part of the biblical lineage.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): “After,” often used in narrative sequences.
5. Cultural Insights
- Genealogy: The genealogical record reflects both Hebrew and Chinese cultural emphasis on family lineage and continuity.
- Numerical Significance: The precise age and lifespan are carefully noted, emphasizing the importance of longevity and generational continuity.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 該南 / 该南 (Gāinán): Remember Kenan as a significant figure in the lineage from Seth.
- 瑪勒列 / 玛勒列 (Mǎlèlè): Mahalalel continues the human lineage and reminds us of the generations passing down legacy.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): Useful for describing sequences of events in narratives.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew text emphasizes the lifespan and generational continuity, which is similarly reflected in the Chinese translation.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture: Genealogies are central in Chinese traditions, paralleling the biblical focus on lineage and legacy.
8. Application
This verse encourages us to reflect on the importance of recording lineage and preserving family heritage. Kenan’s life and the birth of Mahalalel remind us of the ongoing story of humanity, urging us to value the connections between generations and the legacy we leave for the future.
