וַיִּ֜מַח אֶֽת־כָּל־הַיְק֣וּם אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֗ה מֵאָדָ֤ם עַד־בְּהֵמָה֙ עַד־רֶ֨מֶשׂ֙ וְעַד־עֹ֣וף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיִּמָּח֖וּ מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיִשָּׁ֧אֶר אַךְ־נֹ֛חַ וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתֹּ֖ו בַּתֵּבָֽה׃
他從地面上除滅所有活著的生物，從人到牲畜、爬行的動物和天上的飛鳥，牠們都從地上被除滅，只有挪亞和那些與他在方舟裡的被留下了。
他从地面上除灭所有活着的生物，从人到牲畜、爬行的动物和天上的飞鸟，它们都从地上被除灭，只有挪亚和那些与他在方舟里的被留下了。
Tā cóng dìmiàn shàng chúmiè suǒyǒu huózhe de shēngwù, cóng rén dào shēngchù, páxíng de dòngwù hé tiānshàng de fēiniǎo, tāmen dōu cóng dìshàng bèi chúmiè, zhǐyǒu Nuóyà hé nàxiē yǔ tā zài fāngzhōu lǐ de bèi liúxiàle.
He wiped out every living thing on the surface of the earth, from humans to livestock, crawling creatures, and birds of the sky; they were all wiped off the earth. Only Noah and those with him in the ark remained.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 除滅 / 除灭 | chúmiè | To wipe out | Verb |
| 地面 | dìmiàn | Surface of the earth | Noun |
| 所有 | suǒyǒu | All | Adjective |
| 生物 | shēngwù | Living creature | Noun |
| 牲畜 | shēngchù | Livestock | Noun |
| 爬行的動物 / 爬行的动物 | páxíng de dòngwù | Crawling creatures | Noun |
| 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 | fēiniǎo | Birds of the sky | Noun |
| 方舟 | fāngzhōu | Ark | Noun |
| 留下 | liúxià | To remain | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 除滅 / 除灭 (chúmiè): A compound verb meaning “to completely eliminate or wipe out,” emphasizing thoroughness.
- 所有 (suǒyǒu): Means “all,” functioning as an adjective to describe the completeness of the action.
- 牲畜 (shēngchù): Refers specifically to domesticated animals, indicating a category distinct from wild creatures.
- 留下 (liúxià): Means “to remain,” implying survival amidst destruction.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 除滅 / 除灭 (chúmiè): [chú miè] – “Chú” has a rising tone, and “miè” has a falling tone. Emphasize the completeness of the action.
- 地面 (dìmiàn): [dì miàn] – Both syllables have a falling tone, conveying gravity and finality.
- 生物 (shēngwù): [shēng wù] – “Shēng” has a high-level tone, and “wù” has a falling tone, indicating importance.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 除滅 / 除灭 (chúmiè): Represents the thorough eradication of all life, highlighting the magnitude of the flood.
- 地面 (dìmiàn): Refers to the physical surface of the earth, emphasizing the scope of the destruction.
- 留下 (liúxià): Denotes survival, showcasing Noah’s unique role in the narrative.
5. Cultural Insights
- Comprehensive Judgment: The Hebrew text emphasizes divine judgment over all creation, paralleling Chinese idioms like “滅絕天地” (mièjué tiāndì) that convey utter destruction.
- Symbolism of the Ark: In both cultures, vessels symbolize safety amidst chaos, akin to “诺亚方舟” (Nuòyà Fāngzhōu) representing a haven during disaster.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): Visualize the ark as a protective enclosure against overwhelming waters.
- 除滅 / 除灭 (chúmiè): Think of a sweeping action, erasing all that existed.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew term *וַיִּמַּח* (he wiped out) conveys a complete and deliberate act, paralleled by the Chinese “除滅” (chúmiè), both expressing total annihilation.
- Comparison with Chinese: In Chinese literature, apocalyptic themes often involve cosmic scales of destruction, such as “大洪水” (dà hóngshuǐ, great flood), similar to Noah’s flood.
8. Application
The verse emphasizes the consequences of moral corruption and the value of obedience and righteousness, as exemplified by Noah. In a modern context, it can inspire reflection on environmental and social stewardship, urging individuals to live harmoniously with creation. The ark represents hope and survival amidst chaos, a theme that resonates universally in both biblical and Chinese cultural contexts.
