הַנְּפִלִ֞ים הָי֣וּ בָאָרֶץ֮ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵם֒ וְגַ֣ם אַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָבֹ֜אוּ בְּנֵ֤י הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־בְּנֹ֣ות הָֽאָדָ֔ם וְיָלְד֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם הֵ֧מָּה הַגִּבֹּרִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר מֵעֹולָ֖ם אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַשֵּֽׁם׃
當時地上有巨人，以後當神的兒子們與人的女子交合，生子給他們，那些人就是上古的勇士，有名的人物。
当时地上有巨人，以后当神的儿子们与人的女子交合，生子给他们，那些人就是上古的勇士，有名的人物。
Dāngshí dìshàng yǒu jùrén, yǐhòu dāng shén de érzimen yǔ rén de nǚzǐ jiāohé, shēngzǐ gěi tāmen, nàxiē rén jiùshì shànggǔ de yǒngshì, yǒumíng de rénwù.
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 當時 / 当时 | Dāngshí | At that time | Adverbial phrase |
| 地上 | dìshàng | On the earth | Noun |
| 有 | yǒu | There were | Verb |
| 巨人 | jùrén | Giants | Noun |
| 以後 / 以后 | yǐhòu | Afterward | Adverb |
| 當 / 当 | dāng | When | Conjunction |
| 神的兒子們 / 神的儿子们 | shén de érzimen | Sons of God | Proper noun |
| 與 / 与 | yǔ | With | Preposition |
| 人的女子 | rén de nǚzǐ | Daughters of humans | Noun |
| 交合 | jiāohé | To have relations | Verb |
| 生子 | shēngzǐ | To bear children | Verb |
| 給 / 给 | gěi | To give | Verb |
| 那些人 | nàxiē rén | Those people | Pronoun |
| 上古 | shànggǔ | Ancient times | Noun |
| 勇士 | yǒngshì | Heroes | Noun |
| 有名 | yǒumíng | Famous | Adjective |
| 人物 | rénwù | Figures | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 當時 / 当时 (dāngshí): An adverbial phrase indicating the specific time when events occurred.
- 巨人 (jùrén): Refers to the “giants,” often associated with the Nephilim, emphasizing their physical stature and presence.
- 神的兒子們 / 神的儿子们 (shén de érzimen): “Sons of God,” a term denoting celestial beings or divine entities.
- 交合 (jiāohé): A term describing intimate relations, key to the narrative of divine beings intermingling with humans.
- 上古 (shànggǔ): “Ancient times,” situating the story in a mythical or legendary past.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 當時 / 当时 (dāngshí): [dāng shí] – “Dāng” has a high-level tone, and “shí” has a rising tone.
- 巨人 (jùrén): [jù rén] – “Jù” has a falling tone, and “rén” has a rising tone.
- 勇士 (yǒngshì): [yǒng shì] – “Yǒng” has a falling-rising tone, and “shì” has a falling tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 巨人 (jùrén): Giants, symbolizing physical might and awe-inspiring presence.
- 上古 (shànggǔ): Ancient times, anchoring the narrative in a legendary past.
- 勇士 (yǒngshì): Heroes, emphasizing the exceptional nature of these figures.
5. Cultural Insights
- Mythical Beings in Different Cultures: Many cultures have myths of divine beings or giants interacting with humans, such as the Greek Titans or Chinese deities, highlighting universal themes of awe and fear of the supernatural.
- Heroic Legends: The “men of renown” parallel other cultures’ heroic figures, emphasizing their extraordinary feats and legendary status.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 巨人 (jùrén): Imagine a towering figure dominating the landscape, symbolizing the giants of old.
- 上古 (shànggǔ): Visualize an ancient scroll or artifact, anchoring the story in a distant past.
- 勇士 (yǒngshì): Picture a heroic warrior in battle, embodying courage and strength.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew “הַנְּפִלִ֞ים” aligns with “巨人,” both conveying the image of extraordinary beings who existed during a unique period in history.
- Comparison with Mythology– In Greek mythology, the Titans or demigods share parallels with the “Nephilim” (巨人) in their mixture of divine and mortal ancestry. This idea of supernatural beings influencing human history is common in various cultures.
– Similarly, Chinese mythology includes tales of Pangu and other giants who shaped the world, reflecting themes of larger-than-life figures in early human imagination. - Historical Context:
– The Nephilim are often interpreted as a unique group that existed in the pre-flood era, their presence associated with corruption and the need for divine intervention. This parallels many ancient myths where interactions between gods and humans led to significant events or societal changes.
8. Application
This passage invites reflection on humanity’s relationship with the supernatural and the ethical dilemmas arising from such interactions. In modern contexts, it underscores the importance of understanding boundaries, both moral and societal. Just as the Nephilim represent a mix of the divine and mortal, modern humanity often grapples with blending traditional values and new innovations. The giants or “heroes of old” remind us of the enduring human fascination with extraordinary figures, whether they are spiritual, historical, or fictional. Reflecting on this can inspire us to consider how we integrate past wisdom with present-day aspirations.
