בְּעֶ֨צֶם הַיֹּ֤ום הַזֶּה֙ בָּ֣א נֹ֔חַ וְשֵׁם־וְחָ֥ם וָיֶ֖פֶת בְּנֵי־נֹ֑חַ וְאֵ֣שֶׁת נֹ֗חַ וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת נְשֵֽׁי־בָנָ֛יו אִתָּ֖ם אֶל־הַתֵּבָֽה׃
在當日，挪亞、閃、含、雅弗，挪亞的妻子和三個兒子的妻子，一同進入方舟。
在当日，挪亚、闪、含、雅弗，挪亚的妻子和三个儿子的妻子，一同进入方舟。
Zài dàng rì, Nuóyà, Shǎn, Hán, Yǎfú, Nuóyà de qīzi hé sān gè érzi de qīzi, yìtóng jìnrù fāngzhōu.
On that very day, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, along with Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons, entered the ark.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 在 | zài | At, on | Preposition |
| 当日 / 當日 | dàng rì | That very day | Adverbial phrase |
| 挪亚 / 挪亞 | Nuóyà | Noah | Proper noun |
| 闪 / 閃 | Shǎn | Shem | Proper noun |
| 含 | Hán | Ham | Proper noun |
| 雅弗 | Yǎfú | Japheth | Proper noun |
| 妻子 | qīzi | Wife | Noun |
| 三 | sān | Three | Number |
| 进入 / 進入 | jìnrù | To enter | Verb |
| 方舟 | fāngzhōu | Ark | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 在当日 / 在當日 (zài dàng rì): “On that very day,” emphasizing the immediacy and importance of the event.
- 挪亚 / 挪亞 (Nuóyà): Proper noun referring to Noah, the central figure in the flood narrative.
- 进入 / 進入 (jìnrù): A verb meaning “to enter,” used here to describe the action of going into the ark.
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): “Ark,” the vessel built by Noah according to God’s instructions.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 挪亚 / 挪亞 (Nuóyà): [nuó yà] – Both syllables have rising tones, indicating Noah.
- 闪 / 閃 (Shǎn): [shǎn] – Pronounced with a falling-rising tone, representing Shem.
- 进入 / 進入 (jìnrù): [jìn rù] – “Jìn” has a falling tone, and “rù” also has a falling tone.
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): [fāng zhōu] – Both syllables have a high-level tone, representing the ark.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 挪亚 / 挪亞 (Nuóyà): Represents Noah, emphasizing his role as the righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood.
- 闪 / 閃 (Shǎn): Shem, one of Noah’s sons, whose lineage would play a significant role in biblical history.
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): The ark, a symbol of salvation and divine provision during the flood.
5. Cultural Insights
- Family Unity: The mention of Noah’s family highlights the importance of familial bonds and collective salvation in the face of divine judgment.
- Ark as a Symbol: In many cultures, the ark is viewed as a representation of hope, safety, and the preservation of life.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 挪亚 / 挪亞 (Nuóyà): Picture Noah building the ark with his family, emphasizing teamwork and faith.
- 进入 / 進入 (jìnrù): Imagine entering the ark as a refuge, safe from the surrounding chaos.
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): Think of the ark as a giant, protective vessel that carries life through the storm.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- בְּעֶ֨צֶם הַיֹּ֤ום הַזֶּה֙: “On that very day” aligns with the Chinese phrase 在當日, emphasizing the exact timing of the event.
- וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת נְשֵֽׁי־בָנָ֛יו: “The three wives of his sons” mirrors the Chinese translation “三個兒子的妻子,” showing the inclusivity of Noah’s family in the ark.
8. Application
This verse emphasizes the importance of obedience, preparation, and family unity in the face of divine judgment. Noah’s actions reflect trust in God’s plan and the value of community during crises. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder to prepare for challenges collectively and to trust in higher guidance when navigating uncertain times.
