וְנֹ֕חַ בֶּן־שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֹ֖ות שָׁנָ֑ה וְהַמַּבּ֣וּל הָיָ֔ה מַ֖יִם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
挪亞六百歲的時候，洪水泛濫在地上。
挪亚六百岁的时候，洪水泛滥在地上。
Nuóyà liùbǎi suì de shíhòu, hóngshuǐ fànlàn zài dìshàng.
Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were upon the earth.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 挪亞 / 挪亚 | Nuóyà | Noah | Proper noun |
| 六百歲 / 六百岁 | liùbǎi suì | Six hundred years old | Numerical phrase |
| 的時候 / 的时候 | de shíhòu | At the time of | Adverbial phrase |
| 洪水 | hóngshuǐ | Flood | Noun |
| 泛濫 / 泛滥 | fànlàn | To overflow | Verb |
| 在地上 | zài dìshàng | Upon the earth | Adverbial phrase |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): The name of Noah, a central figure in the flood narrative.
- 六百歲 / 六百岁 (liùbǎi suì): Indicates Noah’s age when the flood began, showing the passage of time in the biblical account.
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): Refers to the catastrophic flood that covered the earth.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): [nuó yà] – “Nuó” has a rising tone, and “yà” has a falling tone.
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): [hóng shuǐ] – “Hóng” has a rising tone, and “shuǐ” has a falling-rising tone.
- 泛濫 / 泛滥 (fànlàn): [fàn làn] – Both “fàn” and “làn” have falling tones.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): Noah, representing obedience and faith in the biblical account.
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): The flood, symbolizing divine judgment and a pivotal event in biblical history.
- 泛濫 / 泛滥 (fànlàn): To overflow, depicting the extent and severity of the floodwaters.
5. Cultural Insights
- Noah’s Age: The mention of Noah being six hundred years old reflects the longevity attributed to early biblical figures, emphasizing his maturity and experience.
- The Flood as a Global Event: In many cultures, flood narratives symbolize renewal, judgment, or divine intervention, echoing universal themes of destruction and rebirth.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 挪亞 (Nuóyà): Remember Noah as the obedient and faithful figure who played a key role in the flood story.
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): Visualize the flood as a transformative event reshaping the earth and humanity.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew “וְהַמַּבּ֣וּל הָיָ֔ה מַ֖יִם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ” corresponds closely with the Chinese “洪水泛濫在地上,” both emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the floodwaters.
- Comparison with English: The English “the floodwaters were upon the earth” mirrors the same imagery of water covering the land, conveying the catastrophic impact of the flood.
8. Application
This verse highlights the significance of time and divine intervention in human history. Noah’s age serves as a reminder of the patience and preparation required to fulfill divine commands. The flood, as a transformative event, invites reflection on themes of renewal, judgment, and the consequences of human actions. In a modern context, this narrative can inspire us to consider our responsibility toward the environment, community, and future generations.
