וַיִּהְיוּ֙ כָּל־יְמֵ֣י מְתוּשֶׁ֔לַח תֵּ֤שַׁע וְשִׁשִּׁים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ פ
瑪土撒拉共活了九百六十九歲，然後死了。
玛土撒拉共活了九百六十九岁，然后死了。
Mǎtǔsālǎ gòng huóle jiǔbǎi liùshíjiǔ suì, ránhòu sǐle.
Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 | Mǎtǔsālǎ | Methuselah (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 共 | gòng | Total | Adverb |
| 活 | huó | To live | Verb |
| 九百六十九 | jiǔbǎi liùshíjiǔ | 969 | Number |
| 歲 / 岁 | suì | Years (of age) | Measure word |
| 然後 / 然后 | ránhòu | Then | Conjunction |
| 死 | sǐ | To die | Verb |
| 了 | le | Particle indicating completed action | Particle |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālǎ): The name of Methuselah, a patriarch known for his extraordinary lifespan.
- 共 / 共 (gòng): Indicates the total duration of Methuselah’s life.
- 九百六十九 / 九百六十九 (jiǔbǎi liùshíjiǔ): Represents Methuselah’s age in years, emphasizing his longevity.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālǎ): [mǎ tǔ sā lǎ] – Ensure distinct pronunciation of the falling, rising, high-level, and falling tones.
- 九百六十九 (jiǔbǎi liùshíjiǔ): [jiǔ bǎi liù shí jiǔ] – Pronounce each number clearly and maintain the rhythm.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālǎ): Methuselah, representing the longest lifespan recorded in the Bible.
- 九百六十九 (jiǔbǎi liùshíjiǔ): 969, a number symbolizing Methuselah’s extensive life and its significance in biblical history.
5. Cultural Insights
- Longevity in Biblical Narratives: Methuselah’s age emphasizes divine blessings and the remarkable lifespans of early humans in Genesis.
- Significance of Numbers: In both biblical and Chinese cultures, numbers often carry symbolic meanings, with Methuselah’s 969 years highlighting completeness and favor.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 瑪土撒拉 / 玛土撒拉 (Mǎtǔsālǎ): Methuselah, known for his longevity, can be remembered as the ultimate symbol of a long and full life.
- 九百六十九 / 九百六十九 (jiǔbǎi liùshíjiǔ): Methuselah’s 969 years signify unparalleled life length in human history.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַיִּהְיוּ֙ כָּל־יְמֵ֣י מְתוּשֶׁ֔לַח → 瑪土撒拉共活了九百六十九歲 / 玛土撒拉共活了九百六十九岁: Both texts emphasize the total duration of Methuselah’s life, showing remarkable consistency in meaning.
8. Application
Methuselah’s life challenges us to reflect on the quality of our own years rather than their quantity. His extraordinary lifespan highlights the importance of using time wisely, leaving a legacy, and contributing positively to future generations.
