וְהַמַּ֗יִם גָּ֥בְר֛וּ מְאֹ֥ד מְאֹ֖ד עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיְכֻסּ֗וּ כָּל־הֶֽהָרִים֙ הַגְּבֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־תַּ֖חַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
水勢浩大，極其洶湧，淹沒了天下所有的高山。
水势浩大，极其汹涌，淹没了天下所有的高山。
Shuǐ shì hào dà, jí qí xiōng yǒng, yān mò le tiān xià suǒ yǒu de gāo shān.
And the waters prevailed greatly, greatly upon the earth, and all the high mountains under the whole heavens were covered.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 水勢 / 水势 | shuǐ shì | Water force | Noun |
| 浩大 | hào dà | Vast, mighty | Adjective |
| 極其 / 极其 | jí qí | Extremely | Adverb |
| 洶湧 / 汹涌 | xiōng yǒng | Turbulent | Adjective |
| 淹沒 / 淹没 | yān mò | To submerge | Verb |
| 天下 | tiān xià | Under heaven, the whole world | Noun |
| 所有 | suǒ yǒu | All | Adjective |
| 高山 | gāo shān | High mountain | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 水勢浩大 / 水势浩大 (shuǐ shì hào dà): This phrase emphasizes the immense and overwhelming power of the floodwaters.
- 極其洶湧 / 极其汹涌 (jí qí xiōng yǒng): A description of the turbulence and ferocity of the floodwaters.
- 淹沒了 / 淹没了 (yān mò le): Indicates a completed action where the waters fully submerged the mountains.
- 天下所有的高山 / 天下所有的高山 (tiān xià suǒ yǒu de gāo shān): A comprehensive expression meaning all the high mountains under the heavens.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 水勢 / 水势 (shuǐ shì): [shuǐ shì] – Pronounce “shuǐ” with a falling-rising tone, and “shì” with a falling tone.
- 極其 / 极其 (jí qí): [jí qí] – “Jí” has a rising tone, and “qí” also has a rising tone.
- 洶湧 / 汹涌 (xiōng yǒng): [xiōng yǒng] – “Xiōng” has a high-level tone, and “yǒng” has a falling-rising tone.
- 高山 / 高山 (gāo shān): [gāo shān] – “Gāo” has a high-level tone, and “shān” has a high-level tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 水 / 水 (shuǐ): “Water,” an essential element in this verse, representing the floodwaters.
- 山 / 山 (shān): “Mountain,” symbolic of the magnitude of the flood as it covered even the tallest mountains.
- 洶湧 / 汹涌 (xiōng yǒng): “Turbulent,” emphasizing the destructive nature of the floodwaters.
5. Cultural Insights
- Symbolism of Mountains: In many cultures, mountains represent stability and permanence. The submersion of mountains signifies the overwhelming power and universality of the flood.
- Flood Narratives: The story of a great flood appears in many cultural traditions, emphasizing themes of divine judgment and renewal.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 水勢浩大 / 水势浩大 (shuǐ shì hào dà): Picture the vast expanse of water covering the earth, reinforcing the flood’s magnitude.
- 高山 / 高山 (gāo shān): Remember that even the highest peaks could not escape the flood’s reach.
- 洶湧 / 汹涌 (xiōng yǒng): Associate the term with roaring and chaotic waters to remember its meaning.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew phrase “וְהַמַּ֗יִם גָּ֥בְר֛וּ מְאֹ֥ד מְאֹ֖ד עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ” directly emphasizes the intensity of the flood, mirrored in the Chinese translation “水勢浩大，極其洶湧,” which conveys the vastness and turbulence of the waters.
- Comparison with Chinese: Both Traditional and Simplified Chinese translations effectively capture the dramatic nature of the flood, showcasing the overwhelming power of water and its ability to cover even the highest mountains.
8. Application
The verse reminds readers of the overwhelming nature of divine judgment and the power of natural forces under divine command. It encourages reflection on humanity’s responsibility toward the earth and its resources, reminding us of the consequences of collective moral failure. The imagery of mountains being submerged also serves as a humbling reminder of human fragility in the face of natural and divine forces.
