בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שֵׁשׁ־מֵאֹ֤ות שָׁנָה֙ לְחַיֵּי־נֹ֔חַ בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י בְּשִׁבְעָֽה־עָשָׂ֥ר יֹ֖ום לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ בַּיֹּ֣ום הַזֶּ֗ה נִבְקְעוּ֙ כָּֽל־מַעְיְנֹת֙ תְּהֹ֣ום רַבָּ֔ה וַאֲרֻבֹּ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם נִפְתָּֽחוּ׃
挪亞六百歲那一年的第二個月十七日那一天，深淵的泉源裂開了，天上的窗戶也打開了。
挪亚六百岁那一年的第二个月十七日那一天，深渊的泉源裂开了，天上的窗户也打开了。
Nuóyà liùbǎi suì nà yī nián de dì-èr gè yuè shíqī rì nà yītiān, shēnyuān de quányuán lièkāile, tiānshàng de chuānghù yě dǎkāile.
In the six-hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 挪亞 / 挪亚 | Nuóyà | Noah | Proper noun |
| 六百歲 / 六百岁 | liùbǎi suì | Six hundred years old | Numeral phrase |
| 那一年 | nà yī nián | That year | Time phrase |
| 第二個月 / 第二个月 | dì-èr gè yuè | Second month | Time phrase |
| 十七日 | shíqī rì | Seventeenth day | Time phrase |
| 深淵 / 深渊 | shēnyuān | Abyss | Noun |
| 泉源 | quányuán | Fountain | Noun |
| 裂開 / 裂开 | lièkāi | To burst open | Verb |
| 天上 | tiānshàng | In the heavens | Noun phrase |
| 窗戶 / 窗户 | chuānghù | Window | Noun |
| 打開 / 打开 | dǎkāi | To open | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): The proper name “Noah” refers to the central figure in this narrative.
- 六百歲 / 六百岁 (liùbǎi suì): This numeral phrase indicates Noah’s age, which is significant in this context.
- 深淵的泉源裂開了 (shēnyuān de quányuán lièkāile): This phrase uses “的” to connect the “abyss” (深淵) with its “fountains” (泉源), describing the bursting action with “裂開” (to burst open).
- 天上的窗戶打開了 (tiānshàng de chuānghù dǎkāile): Similar to the previous phrase, “的” connects “heavens” (天上) with “windows” (窗戶), with the verb “打開” indicating the action of opening.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): [nuó yà] – Both syllables have a rising tone.
- 深淵 / 深渊 (shēnyuān): [shēn yuān] – “Shēn” has a high-level tone, and “yuān” has a high-rising tone.
- 裂開 / 裂开 (lièkāi): [liè kāi] – Both syllables have a falling tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 深淵 / 深渊 (shēnyuān): Refers to the “abyss,” highlighting the great depths from which the fountains burst forth.
- 窗戶 / 窗户 (chuānghù): “Windows” of the heavens, symbolizing the source of the rains that brought the flood.
5. Cultural Insights
- Symbolism of the Abyss and Heavens: The bursting of the “fountains of the great deep” and the opening of the “windows of the heavens” symbolize a divine and cosmic judgment that transcends natural phenomena.
- Flood Narratives Across Cultures: The concept of a catastrophic flood is common across ancient cultures, often symbolizing divine judgment, renewal, or cleansing.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 深淵 / 深渊 (shēnyuān): Remember “deep abyss” as the source of the fountains that burst forth.
- 窗戶 / 窗户 (chuānghù): Visualize “windows of the heavens” as openings for divine action.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew “נִבְקְעוּ כָּֽל־מַעְיְנֹת תְּהֹום רַבָּה” is mirrored in the Chinese “深淵的泉源裂開了,” both emphasizing the bursting of the great deep’s fountains.
- Comparison with English: The English “all the fountains of the great deep burst forth” aligns closely with the Hebrew and Chinese translations, emphasizing the simultaneous breaking forth of waters.
8. Application
This verse highlights themes of divine intervention and the interconnectedness of natural and supernatural events. It encourages reflection on the balance of human action and divine response, emphasizing the consequences of moral failure. The opening of the “fountains of the great deep” and “windows of the heavens” serves as a reminder of humanity’s vulnerability to divine judgment. In personal application, this passage can inspire mindfulness about our actions and their alignment with moral and ethical principles. It also underscores the importance of faith and obedience to divine guidance, as exemplified by Noah’s role in preparing for the flood. This verse invites us to consider the significance of trust in a higher power amidst chaos and judgment, offering lessons on accountability, preparation, and hope.
