Hebrew Bible Verse Analysis (Genesis 8:1)
Original Hebrew
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־נֹ֔חַ וְאֵ֤ת כָּל־הַֽחַיָּה֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתֹּ֖ו בַּתֵּבָ֑ה וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים ר֨וּחַ֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם׃
Translations
神記念挪亞和方舟裡一切走獸牲畜；神使風吹地，水就退了。
神记念挪亚和方舟里一切走兽牲畜；神使风吹地，水就退了。
Shén jìniàn Nuóyà hé fāngzhōu lǐ yīqiè zǒushòu shēngchù; shén shǐ fēng chuī dì, shuǐ jiù tuìle.
God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock that were with him in the ark. He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
Vocabulary Breakdown (Chinese)
| Term | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 記念 / 记念 | jìniàn | “remember” (covenantal) | Verb |
| 挪亞 / 挪亚 | Nuóyà | “Noah” | Proper noun |
| 方舟 | fāngzhōu | “ark” (lit. “square vessel”) | Noun |
| 走獸 / 走兽 | zǒushòu | “wild animals” | Noun |
| 牲畜 | shēngchù | “livestock” | Noun |
| 使風 / 使风 | shǐ fēng | “cause wind” | Verb phrase |
Pronunciation Practice
- 記念 jìniàn: 4th + 4th tone (covenantal “remember”)
- 方舟 fāngzhōu: 1st + 1st tone (“square vessel”)
- 走獸 zǒushòu: 3rd + 4th tone (“wild beasts”)
- 使風 shǐfēng: 3rd + 1st tone (“make wind”)
Grammar Notes
- Hebrew: Vav-consecutive (וַיִּזְכֹּר) shows narrative sequence. The verb “remember” (זָכַר) implies covenantal action.
- Chinese: 使+noun+verb construction (使风吹) mirrors Hebrew causative (הַעֲבֵר). 就 indicates immediate consequence.
Historical Context
This verse (J Source, 10th cent. BCE) marks the turning point in the Flood narrative. The Chinese translation renders רוּחַ (ruach) as 风 (wind), though the term can also mean “spirit” (as in 圣灵 shènglíng for Holy Spirit).
Confucian Parallels
- Divine Remembrance: Contrasts with Confucian 天视自我民视 (“Heaven sees as the people see”, Book of Documents 5.9)
- Natural Order: 水就退了 (“waters receded”) parallels 水曰润下 (“water moistens and descends”, Hongfan 洪范)
Cultural Insights
- Wind/Spirit: Hebrew רוּחַ vs. Chinese 气 (qì) as cosmic force
- Flood Imagery:
Biblical Chinese תבה (tevah – “ark”) 方舟 (fāngzhōu – lit. “square boat”) מַיִם (mayim – flood waters) 洪水 (hóngshuǐ – great flood)
Comparative Translations
| Hebrew | English | Chinese (Simplified) |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת־נֹחַ | God remembered Noah | 神记念挪亚 |
| וַיַּעֲבֵר אֱלֹהִים רוּחַ עַל־הָאָרֶץ | God made a wind blow over the earth | 神使风吹地 |
