כֹּ֡ל אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁמַת־ר֨וּחַ חַיִּ֜ים בְּאַפָּ֗יו מִכֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֶּחָֽרָבָ֖ה מֵֽתוּ׃
凡鼻孔中有生命氣息的，在旱地上的一切生物都死了。
凡鼻孔中有生命气息的，在旱地上的一切生物都死了。
Fán bíkǒng zhōng yǒu shēngmìng qìxī de, zài hàndì shàng de yīqiè shēngwù dōu sǐle.
Everything that had the breath of life in its nostrils, from all that was on the dry land, died.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 凡 | fán | All, every | Adjective |
| 鼻孔 | bíkǒng | Nostrils | Noun |
| 生命氣息 / 生命气息 | shēngmìng qìxī | Breath of life | Noun |
| 旱地 | hàndì | Dry land | Noun |
| 生物 | shēngwù | Living creature | Noun |
| 死了 | sǐ le | Died | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 凡 (fán): Indicates inclusivity, meaning “all” or “everything.”
- 鼻孔 (bíkǒng): “Nostrils,” specifying the part of living beings that signifies life through breath.
- 生命氣息 / 生命气息 (shēngmìng qìxī): “Breath of life,” a poetic expression for the essence of living beings.
- 旱地 (hàndì): “Dry land,” contrasting with water environments, emphasizing the terrestrial realm.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 凡 (fán): [fán] – Falling-rising tone, pronounced clearly to emphasize totality.
- 鼻孔 (bíkǒng): [bí kǒng] – “Bí” has a rising tone, and “kǒng” has a falling tone.
- 生命氣息 / 生命气息 (shēngmìng qìxī): [shēng mìng qì xī] – “Shēng” and “mìng” both have a high-level tone; “qì” and “xī” have falling and rising tones respectively.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 生命氣息 / 生命气息 (shēngmìng qìxī): Refers to the breath of life, symbolizing vitality and existence.
- 旱地 (hàndì): “Dry land,” often used to contrast with aquatic environments.
- 死了 (sǐ le): “Died,” marking the end of life in the narrative.
5. Cultural Insights
- The Concept of the “Breath of Life”: In Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoism, the breath (氣 qì) represents life force or energy. This aligns with the biblical idea of breath as a signifier of life.
- Connection to Nature: Both the Hebrew and Chinese perspectives emphasize the interconnectedness of life and the consequences when harmony is disrupted.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 鼻孔 (bíkǒng): Visualize the nostrils as the gateway for the breath of life, vital for survival.
- 生命氣息 / 生命气息 (shēngmìng qìxī): Think of the breath of life as an invisible thread connecting all living beings.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew text emphasizes the breath of life (*נִשְׁמַת־רוּחַ חַיִּים*) as the key indicator of living beings, mirrored in the Chinese term “生命氣息” (shēngmìng qìxī).
- Comparison with Chinese: In Chinese culture, the concept of 氣 (qì) as the essence of life resonates deeply with the biblical “breath of life.” This highlights the universal importance of breath as a symbol of vitality across cultures.
8. Application
This verse reminds readers of the fragility of life and the dependence on the “breath of life,” which can be seen as a divine gift. The destruction of all life on dry land reflects the consequences of a corrupted world, challenging individuals to consider their actions and their alignment with moral and natural order. From a Chinese perspective, the harmony of 氣 (qì) is crucial for balance and life, reinforcing the need to maintain righteousness and harmony with the environment.
