וַהֲקִמֹתִ֥י אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֖י אִתָּ֑ךְ וּבָאתָ֙ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֔ה אַתָּ֕ה וּבָנֶ֛יךָ וְאִשְׁתְּךָ֥ וּנְשֵֽׁי־בָנֶ֖יךָ אִתָּֽךְ׃
我必與你立約，你要進入方舟，你和你的兒子、妻子以及兒媳都要和你一起進入。
我必与你立约，你要进入方舟，你和你的儿子、妻子以及儿媳都要和你一起进入。
Wǒ bì yǔ nǐ lìyuē, nǐ yào jìnrù fāngzhōu, nǐ hé nǐ de érzi, qīzi yǐjí érxí dōu yào hé nǐ yīqǐ jìnrù.
I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall enter the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我 | wǒ | I | Pronoun |
| 必 | bì | Will, must | Adverb |
| 與 / 与 | yǔ | With | Preposition |
| 你 | nǐ | You | Pronoun |
| 立約 / 立约 | lìyuē | Establish a covenant | Verb |
| 進入 / 进入 | jìnrù | Enter | Verb |
| 方舟 | fāngzhōu | Ark | Noun |
| 兒子 / 儿子 | érzi | Son | Noun |
| 妻子 | qīzi | Wife | Noun |
| 兒媳 / 儿媳 | érxí | Daughter-in-law | Noun |
| 一起 | yīqǐ | Together | Adverb |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 必 (bì): Indicates a strong assertion or certainty, used to emphasize God’s promise.
- 立約 / 立约 (lìyuē): “To establish a covenant,” a formal and binding agreement.
- 進入 / 进入 (jìnrù): “Enter,” describing the action of Noah and his family going into the ark.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 立約 / 立约 (lìyuē): [lì yuē] – “Lì” has a falling tone, and “yuē” has a high-level tone.
- 進入 / 进入 (jìnrù): [jìn rù] – Both syllables have falling tones, emphasizing the action of entering.
4. Character Learning
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): The ark, a significant symbol of salvation and God’s covenant with Noah.
- 立約 / 立约 (lìyuē): Establishing a covenant, representing a divine promise of protection.
5. Cultural Insights
- Concept of Covenant: In both Chinese and biblical traditions, covenants are seen as sacred agreements that signify trust, commitment, and mutual responsibilities.
- Family as a Unit: The inclusion of Noah’s entire family highlights the importance of familial bonds and collective salvation, a value shared in many cultures.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): Imagine a large wooden ark floating on water, symbolizing safety and survival.
- 立約 / 立约 (lìyuē): Picture a formal agreement being signed, emphasizing God’s promise to Noah.
7. Comparative Studies
- Hebrew: The word בְּרִית (berit) refers to a covenant, emphasizing the sacred and binding nature of the agreement.
- Chinese: The translation captures the formal tone of “establishing a covenant,” aligning with the significance of agreements in Chinese culture.
8. Application
This passage emphasizes the importance of divine promises and human responsibility. God’s covenant with Noah represents a commitment to preserve life, provided Noah follows divine instructions. In modern terms, this can inspire us to honor our commitments and trust in higher guidance during times of uncertainty and trial.
