מִן־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ הַטְּהֹורָ֔ה וּמִן־הַ֨בְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵינֶ֖נָּה טְהֹרָ֑ה וּמִ֨ן־הָעֹ֔וף וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־רֹמֵ֖שׂ עַל־הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃
從潔淨的牲畜，與不潔淨的牲畜，和飛鳥，以及地上一切爬行的動物中，
从洁净的牲畜，与不洁净的牲畜，和飞鸟，以及地上一切爬行的动物中，
Cóng jiéjìng de shēngchù, yǔ bù jiéjìng de shēngchù, hé fēiniǎo, yǐjí dìshàng yīqiè páxíng de dòngwù zhōng,
From the clean animals, the unclean animals, the birds, and everything that creeps on the ground,
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 潔淨 / 洁净 | jiéjìng | Clean, pure | Adjective |
| 牲畜 | shēngchù | Livestock | Noun |
| 不潔淨 / 不洁净 | bù jiéjìng | Unclean, impure | Adjective |
| 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 | fēiniǎo | Birds | Noun |
| 地上 | dìshàng | On the ground | Adverbial phrase |
| 爬行 | páxíng | To creep, crawl | Verb |
| 動物 / 动物 | dòngwù | Animal | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 潔淨 / 洁净 (jiéjìng): Refers to animals considered “clean” according to biblical dietary laws.
- 不潔淨 / 不洁净 (bù jiéjìng): Refers to animals considered “unclean” or unsuitable for sacrifice or consumption.
- 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 (fēiniǎo): Refers to all flying creatures or birds.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 潔淨 / 洁净 (jiéjìng): [jié jìng] – Both syllables have rising tones.
- 牲畜 (shēngchù): [shēng chù] – “Shēng” has a high-level tone, and “chù” has a falling tone.
- 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 (fēiniǎo): [fēi niǎo] – “Fēi” has a high-level tone, and “niǎo” has a falling-rising tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 潔淨 / 洁净 (jiéjìng): Represents ritual purity, important in biblical and cultural contexts.
- 牲畜 (shēngchù): Refers to domesticated animals, central to agricultural societies.
- 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 (fēiniǎo): Symbolizes creatures of the air, often used metaphorically in literature and scripture.
5. Cultural Insights
- Clean and Unclean Animals: The distinction between clean and unclean animals reflects ancient dietary laws and cultural practices, emphasizing ritual purity and obedience.
- Symbolism of Birds: Birds often symbolize freedom and spirituality in various traditions, aligning with their inclusion in Noah’s ark as part of God’s preservation plan.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 潔淨 / 洁净 (jiéjìng): Think of “clean” animals as those suitable for sacred purposes or consumption.
- 飛鳥 / 飞鸟 (fēiniǎo): Visualize birds soaring as part of the ark’s preservation of all life.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew “מִן־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ הַטְּהֹורָ֔ה” directly correlates with the Chinese “潔淨的牲畜,” emphasizing ritual purity.
- Comparison with English: The English “From the clean animals and the unclean animals” captures the same meaning, showcasing the universality of the text’s intent.
8. Application
This verse highlights the meticulous planning involved in preserving life during the flood. The distinction between clean and unclean animals emphasizes the importance of order, obedience, and adherence to divine instructions. In modern contexts, this passage inspires careful stewardship of resources and the need to value all forms of life as part of a broader divine plan.
