וַֽיְחִ֣י מְתוּשֶׁ֗לַח אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הֹולִידֹ֣ו אֶת־לֶ֔מֶךְ שְׁתַּ֤יִם וּשְׁמֹונִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁבַ֥ע מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֥ולֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֹֽות׃
瑪土撒拉在生了拉麥之後又活了七百八十二年，並且生兒養女。
玛土撒拉在生了拉麦之后又活了七百八十二年，并且生儿养女。
Mǎtǔsālǎ zài shēngle Lāmài zhīhòu yòu huóle qībǎi bāshí’èr nián, bìngqiě shēng ér yǎng nǚ.
Methuselah lived 782 years after he fathered Lamech, and he had other sons and daughters.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 | Mǎtǔsālǎ | Methuselah (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 在 / 在 | zài | After | Preposition |
| 生 / 生 | shēng | To give birth to | Verb |
| 了 / 了 | le | Particle indicating completed action | Particle |
| 拉麥 / 拉麦 | Lāmài | Lamech (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 之後 / 之后 | zhīhòu | After | Adverb |
| 又 / 又 | yòu | Again | Adverb |
| 活 / 活 | huó | To live | Verb |
| 七百八十二 / 七百八十二 | qībǎi bāshí’èr | 782 | Number |
| 年 / 年 | nián | Years | Noun |
| 並且 / 并且 | bìngqiě | Moreover | Conjunction |
| 生 / 生 | shēng | To give birth to | Verb |
| 兒 / 儿 | ér | Son | Noun |
| 養 / 养 | yǎng | To raise | Verb |
| 女 / 女 | nǚ | Daughter | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālǎ): Methuselah, a key figure in the genealogies of Genesis.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): Indicates the time after Methuselah fathered Lamech.
- 並且 / 并且 (bìngqiě): A conjunction used to connect the additional action of having other sons and daughters.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālǎ): [mǎ tǔ sā lǎ] – Pronounce the falling, rising, high-level, and falling tones clearly.
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): [lā mài] – High-level and falling tones, ensure precision.
- 之後 / 之后 (zhīhòu): [zhī hòu] – High-level and falling tones.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālǎ): Methuselah, symbolizing longevity and continuity in biblical history.
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): Lamech, an ancestor of Noah and significant in the genealogical narrative.
5. Cultural Insights
- Genealogies in the Bible: Biblical genealogies are not merely lists of names but convey theological and historical significance, emphasizing God’s plan through generations.
- Longevity and Legacy: Methuselah’s extensive lifespan reflects divine favor and the continuity of the human lineage.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālǎ): Methuselah represents the bridge between generations; his name can be linked to longevity in human history.
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): Lamech stands as a pivotal figure, bridging Methuselah to Noah.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיֹּ֥ולֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֹֽות → 生兒養女 / 生儿养女: Both expressions highlight Methuselah’s continuation of the family line through multiple children.
- שֶׁ֧בַע וּשְׁמֹונִ֛ים → 七百八十二 / 七百八十二: Both indicate the same lifespan in precise detail.
8. Application
This passage underscores the importance of family and lineage in God’s plan. Methuselah’s life reflects the value of longevity and faithful generational continuity. Today, this can inspire us to focus on the legacy we create for future generations, emphasizing the importance of faith, values, and spiritual heritage.
