וַֽיְחִי־לֶ֕מֶךְ שְׁתַּ֧יִם וּשְׁמֹנִ֛ים שָׁנָ֖ה וּמְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֖ולֶד בֵּֽן׃
拉麥活到一百八十二歲，生了一個兒子。
拉麦活到一百八十二岁，生了一个儿子。
Lāmài huódào yībǎi bāshí’èr suì, shēngle yī gè érzi.
Lamech lived to be 182 years old and had a son.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 拉麥 / 拉麦 | Lāmài | Lamech (proper noun) | Proper noun |
| 活到 | huódào | Lived to | Verb |
| 一百八十二 | yībǎi bāshí’èr | 182 | Number |
| 歲 / 岁 | suì | Years (of age) | Measure word |
| 生 | shēng | To give birth | Verb |
| 了 | le | Particle indicating completed action | Particle |
| 一個 / 一个 | yī gè | One, a | Measure word |
| 兒子 / 儿子 | érzi | Son | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): Refers to Lamech, the father of Noah.
- 活到 / 活到 (huódào): Indicates the age Lamech reached before having a son.
- 一百八十二 / 一百八十二 (yībǎi bāshí’èr): Specifies Lamech’s age at the time of the event.
- 兒子 / 儿子 (érzi): Denotes the child born to Lamech.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): [lā mài] – “Lā” has a high-level tone, and “mài” has a falling tone.
- 一百八十二 (yībǎi bāshí’èr): [yī bǎi bā shí ‘èr] – Pay attention to the rising and falling tones in “bǎi” and “shí.”
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): Lamech, a descendant of Methuselah and father of Noah, representing the continuation of the human lineage.
- 活到 / 活到 (huódào): “Lived to,” a phrase highlighting significant ages in biblical genealogies.
5. Cultural Insights
- Genealogies in the Bible: Biblical genealogies serve to trace lineage and emphasize the importance of heritage, often highlighting pivotal figures like Lamech.
- Numerical Precision: The specific ages recorded in Genesis reflect the significance of longevity and divine favor in the early biblical narrative.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 拉麥 / 拉麦 (Lāmài): Lamech’s name is often associated with significant events, making it easier to remember his place in biblical history.
- 一百八十二 (yībǎi bāshí’èr): Visualize Lamech at 182 years, a pivotal age marking the birth of his son.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וַֽיְחִי־לֶ֕מֶךְ → 拉麥活到一百八十二歲 / 拉麦活到一百八十二岁: Both emphasize the age and event, maintaining consistency in meaning.
- Comparison with Chinese:
- Numerical Representation: The use of specific ages reflects a shared cultural focus on longevity and heritage.
8. Application
Lamech’s story reminds us of the importance of milestones in life, particularly those tied to family and legacy. Reflecting on his age at the birth of his son, we are encouraged to value the moments that shape our lives and the legacies we create for future generations.
