וַֽיְחִ֣י מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל חָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים וְשִׁשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֖ולֶד אֶת־יָֽרֶד׃
瑪哈拉列活到六十五歲，生了雅列。
玛哈拉列活到六十五岁，生了雅列。
Mǎhālāliè huódào liùshíwǔ suì, shēngle Yǎliè.
Mahalalel lived to be sixty-five years old and became the father of Jared.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 瑪哈拉列 / 玛哈拉列 | Mǎhālāliè | Mahalalel (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 活到 | huódào | Lived to | Verb |
| 六十五 | liùshíwǔ | Sixty-five | Numeral |
| 歲 / 岁 | suì | Years (of age) | Noun |
| 生了 | shēngle | Gave birth to | Verb |
| 雅列 | Yǎliè | Jared (proper noun) | Proper noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 瑪哈拉列 / 玛哈拉列 (Mǎhālāliè): Mahalalel, a proper noun, is part of the genealogical record in Genesis.
- 活到 (huódào): Indicates the age Mahalalel reached before fathering Jared.
- 生了 (shēngle): Expresses the action of fathering Jared.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 瑪哈拉列 / 玛哈拉列 (Mǎhālāliè): [mǎ hā lā liè] – The tones are falling-rising, high-level, high-level, and falling.
- 雅列 / 雅列 (Yǎliè): [yǎ liè] – Falling-rising tone for “yǎ” and falling tone for “liè.”
- 六十五 (liùshíwǔ): [liù shí wǔ] – Falling, rising, and falling-rising tones.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 瑪哈拉列 / 玛哈拉列 (Mǎhālāliè): Mahalalel, part of Adam’s genealogical lineage, symbolizes continuity.
- 雅列 / 雅列 (Yǎliè): Jared, the next generation, represents the continuation of humanity in the Genesis narrative.
- 活到 (huódào): “Lived to,” emphasizing Mahalalel’s age before fathering Jared.
5. Cultural Insights
- Genealogical Importance: Both biblical and Chinese traditions emphasize detailed genealogies as a way to honor lineage and ancestry.
- Significance of Names: The names Mahalalel and Jared hold cultural and spiritual meaning, reflecting divine blessings and human legacy.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 瑪哈拉列 / 玛哈拉列 (Mǎhālāliè): Think of Mahalalel as a link in the chain connecting Adam to Noah.
- 雅列 / 雅列 (Yǎliè): Jared represents a new generation, continuing the biblical lineage.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew text explicitly mentions Mahalalel’s age and his fathering of Jared, which is faithfully reflected in the Chinese translation.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture: The emphasis on longevity and generational continuity aligns with Chinese ancestral traditions.
8. Application
The mention of Mahalalel and Jared in the genealogical record serves as a reminder of the importance of legacy and generational continuity. In our own lives, this can inspire us to reflect on the values and lessons we pass down to future generations. Whether through family traditions, teachings, or personal example, the impact of one generation on the next remains a central theme in human history and culture.
