שְׁנַ֨יִם שְׁנַ֜יִם בָּ֧אוּ אֶל־נֹ֛חַ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֖ה זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־נֹֽחַ׃
兩兩都到挪亞那裡，進入方舟，有公有母，正如神所吩咐挪亞的。
两两都到挪亚那里，进入方舟，有公有母，正如神所吩咐挪亚的。
Liǎng liǎng dōu dào Nuóyà nàlǐ, jìnrù fāngzhōu, yǒu gōng yǒu mǔ, zhèng rú Shén suǒ fēnfù Nuóyà de.
Pairs of animals, male and female, came to Noah into the ark, just as God had commanded Noah.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 兩兩 / 两两 | liǎng liǎng | In pairs | Adverb |
| 到 | dào | To arrive | Verb |
| 挪亞 / 挪亚 | Nuóyà | Noah | Proper noun |
| 方舟 | fāngzhōu | Ark | Noun |
| 公 | gōng | Male | Noun |
| 母 | mǔ | Female | Noun |
| 正如 | zhèng rú | Just as | Adverb |
| 吩咐 | fēnfù | To command | Verb |
| 神 | Shén | God | Proper noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 兩兩 / 两两 (liǎng liǎng): This phrase emphasizes pairs, used here to describe how the animals entered the ark.
- 正如 (zhèng rú): Indicates conformity, meaning “just as” or “exactly like,” introducing a clause specifying adherence to God’s command.
- 吩咐 (fēnfù): A formal term for giving commands, often used in authoritative contexts.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 兩兩 / 两两 (liǎng liǎng): [liǎng liǎng] – Both syllables have a falling-rising tone.
- 挪亞 / 挪亚 (Nuóyà): [nuó yà] – “Nuó” has a rising tone, and “yà” has a falling tone.
- 吩咐 (fēnfù): [fēn fù] – Both syllables have a high-level tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 兩兩 / 两两 (liǎng liǎng): Highlights the concept of pairing, significant in the story of the ark.
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): Represents the ark, a key symbol of salvation in the flood narrative.
- 正如 (zhèng rú): Indicates precision and adherence, emphasizing the obedience of Noah and the animals to God’s instructions.
5. Cultural Insights
- Pairs of Animals: The emphasis on male and female pairs symbolizes the preservation of life and continuity of creation.
- Obedience to Divine Command: Noah’s compliance with God’s detailed instructions reflects faith and obedience, a recurring theme in many religious texts.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 兩兩 / 两两 (liǎng liǎng): Visualize animals walking into the ark in pairs to remember the phrase.
- 方舟 (fāngzhōu): Picture the ark as a rectangular vessel, matching the meaning of “方” (square/rectangular).
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew “שְׁנַ֨יִם שְׁנַ֜יִם” aligns with “兩兩” in Chinese, emphasizing the pairing of animals.
- Comparison with English: The English translation “Pairs of animals” conveys the same idea but lacks the repetition for emphasis seen in Hebrew and Chinese.
8. Application
This verse highlights the importance of order and obedience in the preservation of life. The pairing of animals reflects God’s meticulous planning and care for His creation. In our lives, this teaches us the value of preparation, harmony, and following divine or moral guidance to overcome challenges and ensure continuity.
