וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ יְמֵי־אָדָ֗ם אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הֹולִידֹ֣ו אֶת־שֵׁ֔ת שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵאֹ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֥ולֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֹֽות׃
亞當在生了塞特之後又活了八百年，並且生兒養女。
亚当在生了塞特之后又活了八百年，并且生儿养女。
Yàdāng zài shēngle Sāitè zhīhòu yòu huóle bābǎi nián, bìngqiě shēng ér yǎng nǚ.
Adam lived 800 years after he fathered Seth and had sons and daughters.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 亞當 / 亚当 | Yàdāng | Adam | Proper noun |
| 在 / 在 | zài | At; after | Preposition |
| 生 / 生 | shēng | To give birth to; to father | Verb |
| 了 / 了 | le | Particle indicating past action | Particle |
| 塞特 / 塞特 | Sāitè | Seth | Proper noun |
| 之後 / 之后 | zhīhòu | After | Adverb |
| 又 / 又 | yòu | Again | Adverb |
| 活 / 活 | huó | To live | Verb |
| 八百 / 八百 | bābǎi | Eight hundred | Numeral |
| 年 / 年 | nián | Year | Noun |
| 並且 / 并且 | bìngqiě | And; also | Conjunction |
| 生 / 生 | shēng | To give birth to | Verb |
| 兒 / 儿 | ér | Son | Noun |
| 女 / 女 | nǚ | Daughter | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 在生了塞特之後 (zài shēngle Sāitè zhīhòu): The phrase indicates a sequence of events, “After fathering Seth.”
- 八百年 (bābǎi nián): Specifies the duration of Adam’s life after the birth of Seth.
- 並且生兒養女 (bìngqiě shēng ér yǎng nǚ): “And had sons and daughters,” describing Adam’s continued family life.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 亞當 / 亚当 (Yàdāng): [yà dāng] – “Yà” has a falling tone, and “dāng” is level.
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): [sāi tè] – Both syllables have clear falling tones.
- 並且 / 并且 (bìngqiě): [bìng qiě] – “Bìng” has a falling tone, and “qiě” has a rising tone.
4. Character Learning
- 亞當 / 亚当 (Yàdāng): Adam, the first man, represents humanity’s origin in biblical tradition.
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): Seth, Adam’s son, signifies the continuation of his lineage.
- 生兒養女 / 生儿养女 (shēng ér yǎng nǚ): To give birth to and raise children, encapsulating the theme of family and human propagation.
5. Cultural Insights
- Longevity in Ancient Texts: The extraordinary lifespans in biblical accounts, like Adam’s 930 years, reflect the sacredness of early patriarchs and their roles in humanity’s establishment.
- Lineage and Legacy: The emphasis on “sons and daughters” highlights the cultural importance of family lineage, a concept deeply valued in both biblical and traditional Chinese culture.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 亞當 / 亚当 (Yàdāng): Adam symbolizes humanity’s origin, making it easier to recall his story.
- 塞特 / 塞特 (Sāitè): Seth is linked to restoration and continuation, signifying new beginnings.
- 生兒養女 / 生儿养女 (shēng ér yǎng nǚ): Think of this as the essence of family and propagation in human history.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: “וַיֹּ֥ולֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֹֽות” aligns with the Chinese “生兒養女,” reflecting the importance of descendants.
- Comparison with Chinese Culture: The emphasis on producing offspring mirrors Confucian values of filial piety and continuing the family line.
8. Application
This passage encourages reflection on the importance of family, lineage, and legacy. In modern contexts, it can inspire us to consider how our actions and relationships contribute to the heritage we leave behind. It also invites us to value the nurturing role of parents in shaping future generations.
