וַֽיְחִ֣י חֲנֹ֔וךְ חָמֵ֥שׁ וְשִׁשִּׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֖ולֶד אֶת־מְתוּשָֽׁלַח׃
以諾活到六十五歲，生了瑪土撒拉。
以诺活到六十五岁，生了玛土撒拉。
Yǐnuò huódào liùshíwǔ suì, shēngle Mǎtǔsālā.
Enoch lived to be 65 years old and fathered Methuselah.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 以諾 / 以诺 | Yǐnuò | Enoch (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 活到 | huódào | Lived to | Verb |
| 六十五 | liùshíwǔ | Sixty-five | Numeral |
| 歲 / 岁 | suì | Years old | Measure word |
| 生了 | shēngle | Gave birth to | Verb |
| 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 | Mǎtǔsālā | Methuselah (proper noun) | Proper noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 以諾 / 以诺 (Yǐnuò): Proper noun referring to Enoch, a key figure in the genealogy.
- 活到 / 活到 (huódào): Indicates the age Enoch reached before fathering Methuselah.
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālā): Proper noun referring to Methuselah, a notable figure known for his longevity.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 以諾 / 以诺 (Yǐnuò): [yǐ nuò] – Rising and falling tones.
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālā): [mǎ tǔ sā lā] – Rising, neutral, and high-level tones. Pronounce each syllable distinctly.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 以諾 / 以诺 (Yǐnuò): Enoch, a righteous man in biblical history who walked with God.
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālā): Methuselah, a symbol of longevity and the continuation of Enoch’s legacy.
5. Cultural Insights
- Genealogies in Biblical and Chinese Cultures: Both traditions value genealogies to preserve history and convey moral lessons through family lineages.
- Symbolism of Names: In both cultures, names often carry significant meaning. Methuselah’s name is thought to reference his role in biblical events.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 以諾 / 以诺 (Yǐnuò): Remember Enoch as the ancestor of Methuselah and as a figure who “walked with God.”
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālā): Methuselah is often associated with longevity, symbolizing God’s patience and mercy.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַֽיְחִ֣י חֲנֹ֔וךְ חָמֵ֥שׁ וְשִׁשִּׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֖ולֶד אֶת־מְתוּשָֽׁלַח׃ → 以諾活到六十五歲，生了瑪土撒拉。 Both highlight the pivotal event of Enoch fathering Methuselah.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture:
- Longevity and Righteousness: In both traditions, the righteous lineage often symbolizes the continuation of divine favor.
8. Application
The passage reminds us of the importance of legacy and righteousness in human life. Enoch’s story, especially his fathering of Methuselah, inspires reflection on our responsibilities to future generations. It also highlights the need to live a life aligned with divine principles, ensuring that our actions and values are carried forward.
