מִכֹּ֣ל הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהֹורָ֗ה תִּֽקַּח־לְךָ֛ שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשְׁתֹּ֑ו וּמִן־הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲ֠שֶׁר לֹ֣א טְהֹרָ֥ה הִ֛וא שְׁנַ֖יִם אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשְׁתֹּֽו׃
從各種潔淨的牲畜中，你要帶七公七母；不潔淨的牲畜中，你要帶一公一母。
从各种洁净的牲畜中，你要带七公七母；不洁净的牲畜中，你要带一公一母。
Cóng gè zhǒng jiéjìng de shēngchù zhōng, nǐ yào dài qī gōng qī mǔ; bù jiéjìng de shēngchù zhōng, nǐ yào dài yī gōng yī mǔ.
From every clean animal, you shall take seven pairs, a male and his mate, and from the animals that are not clean, one pair, a male and his mate.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 從 / 从 | cóng | From | Preposition |
| 各種 / 各种 | gè zhǒng | Various | Adjective |
| 潔淨 / 洁净 | jiéjìng | Clean | Adjective |
| 牲畜 | shēngchù | Livestock | Noun |
| 不潔淨 / 不洁净 | bù jiéjìng | Unclean | Adjective |
| 帶 / 带 | dài | To bring | Verb |
| 七公七母 | qī gōng qī mǔ | Seven males and seven females | Noun phrase |
| 一公一母 | yī gōng yī mǔ | One male and one female | Noun phrase |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 潔淨 / 洁净 (jiéjìng): “Clean,” used to describe animals suitable for ritual purposes according to biblical laws.
- 不潔淨 / 不洁净 (bù jiéjìng): “Unclean,” referring to animals that do not meet the criteria for ritual purity.
- 七公七母 (qī gōng qī mǔ): A phrase specifying seven males and seven females, emphasizing pairing for preservation.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 從 / 从 (cóng): [cóng] – Pronounce with a rising tone.
- 潔淨 / 洁净 (jiéjìng): [jié jìng] – “Jié” has a rising tone, and “jìng” has a falling tone.
- 七公七母 (qī gōng qī mǔ): [qī gōng qī mǔ] – Pronounce each word distinctly, with “qī” in a high-level tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 潔淨 / 洁净 (jiéjìng): This term emphasizes the idea of ritual and spiritual purity, reflecting biblical dietary laws.
- 牲畜 (shēngchù): Refers to animals or livestock, central to the passage as part of Noah’s preparations.
- 七公七母 (qī gōng qī mǔ): Highlights the importance of balance and reproduction in preserving species.
5. Cultural Insights
- Clean and Unclean Animals: The distinction between clean and unclean animals reflects ancient dietary and ritual laws, which were deeply integrated into religious practices and cultural identity.
- Preservation of Species: Noah’s task of bringing animals in pairs underscores the biblical value of stewardship over creation and the preservation of life, resonating with ecological principles today.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 潔淨 / 洁净 (jiéjìng): Remember “clean” animals by associating them with purity and suitability for offerings.
- 七公七母 (qī gōng qī mǔ): Visualize seven pairs of animals entering the ark as a preparation for post-flood renewal.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew phrase “מִכֹּ֣ל הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהֹורָ֗ה תִּֽקַּח־לְךָ֛ שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה” corresponds directly with the Chinese “從各種潔淨的牲畜中，你要帶七公七母,” showing a clear preservation of the original meaning.
- Comparison with English: The English translation “From every clean animal, you shall take seven pairs, a male and his mate” closely mirrors both the Hebrew and Chinese, emphasizing the importance of pairing and purity.
8. Application
This passage emphasizes themes of preparation, stewardship, and divine instruction. By distinguishing between clean and unclean animals and ensuring their preservation, the text highlights humanity’s role in caring for creation. In contemporary terms, this can inspire actions toward ecological responsibility and the conservation of biodiversity, recognizing the interconnectedness of life and the need for sustainable practices.
