וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כָּל־יְמֵי־יֶ֔רֶד שְׁתַּ֤יִם וְשִׁשִּׁים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ פ
雅列共活了九百六十二歲，然後死了。
雅列共活了九百六十二岁，然后死了。
Yǎliè gòng huóle jiǔbǎi liùshí’èr suì, ránhòu sǐle.
Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 雅列 | Yǎliè | Jared (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 共 | gòng | Total | Adverb |
| 活了 | huóle | Lived | Verb |
| 九百六十二 | jiǔbǎi liùshí’èr | Nine hundred sixty-two | Numeral |
| 歲 / 岁 | suì | Years old | Measure word |
| 然後 / 然后 | ránhòu | Then | Conjunction |
| 死了 | sǐle | Died | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 共 / 共 (gòng): Indicates the total or sum of Jared’s lifespan.
- 歲 / 岁 (suì): A measure word for years, specifically referring to age.
- 然後 / 然后 (ránhòu): Indicates a sequence of events, here connecting Jared’s life span with his death.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 雅列 / 雅列 (Yǎliè): [yǎ liè] – Rising and falling tones.
- 九百六十二 / 九百六十二 (jiǔbǎi liùshí’èr): [jiǔ bǎi liù shí èr] – Falling and neutral tones for clarity.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 雅列 / 雅列 (Yǎliè): Jared, continuing the lineage and faithfulness to God.
- 共 / 共 (gòng): Represents summation, reflecting Jared’s total lifespan.
5. Cultural Insights
- Longevity in Biblical Times: Jared’s long life is consistent with the early biblical generations, representing blessings from God.
- Genealogical Records: Similar to Chinese ancestral records, biblical genealogies emphasize heritage, longevity, and faith.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 雅列 / 雅列 (Yǎliè): Think of Jared as a link in the chain leading to Enoch and ultimately Noah.
- 九百六十二 / 九百六十二 (jiǔbǎi liùshí’èr): Remember 962 as a unique marker of Jared’s age.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כָּל־יְמֵ֣י־יֶ֔רֶד שְׁתַּ֤יִם וְשִׁשִּׁ֛ים שָׁנָ֖ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ → 雅列共活了九百六十二歲，然後死了。 The Chinese translation preserves the chronological focus of the Hebrew text.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture:
- Respect for Ancestors: Both traditions highlight the importance of documenting the lives and deeds of ancestors.
8. Application
The passage serves as a reminder of life’s fleeting nature and the importance of legacy. Jared’s role in the biblical genealogy encourages us to reflect on how we contribute to future generations, not just through physical lineage but through values and faith. This is a universal message, resonating across cultures and times.
