A. 挪亞造方舟 (創6:8-10)

惟有挪亞在耶和華眼前蒙恩。挪亞的後代記在下面:挪亞是個義人,在當時的世代是個完全人;挪亞與 神同行。挪亞生了三個兒子,就是閃、含、雅弗。

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD . This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

神從萬人之中「揀選」了挪亞,不是因為挪亞比其他的人「優秀」,因為神的揀選不在乎被揀選者的任何條件,乃在乎是神自己的主權。神對摩西說:「我要恩待誰就恩待誰;要憐憫誰就憐憫誰。」(出33:19)經上既說挪亞是「在耶和華眼前蒙恩」,表明挪亞本是罪人,他本是不配得著神的揀選。然而神既揀選了他,他也願意順服,這就稱為「蒙恩」。原文的意思是「挪亞找到了恩典。」(如同英文譯本)表明挪亞能找到恩典,是因為神早已預備了恩典好讓人來找尋,結果唯有挪亞一人找著了。

挪亞是「蒙恩」在先,接著是他相信神對他所說的話,就「因信稱義」成為「義人」,後來又把神的話「完完全全」行出來,而成為「完全人」。經上說:「信心若沒有行為就是死的。」(雅2:17)挪亞的「與神同行」不同於以諾的「與神同行」,前者是在「動盪不安」的環境下,後者是在「太平盛世」的環境下。顯然挪亞要在這樣惡劣的處境下「與神同行」實在不是一件容易的事。挪亞的一生共有九百五十年(創9:29),但是他卻只有三個兒子,「閃」的字意是「名字」(name),「含」的字意是「黑」(black),「雅弗」的字意是「擴張」(expansion)。

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A. 挪亞造方舟 (創6:4-7)

那時候有偉人在地上,後來神的兒子們和人的女子們交合生子;那就是上古英武有名的人。耶和華見人在地上罪惡很大,終日所思想的盡都是惡。耶和華就後悔造人在地上,心中憂傷。耶和華說:「我要將所造的人和走獸,並昆蟲,以及空中的飛鳥,都從地上除滅,因為我造他們後悔了。」

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days-and also afterward-when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth-men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air-for I am grieved that I have made them."

兩支派通婚的結果,就生出了體型超大的「巨人」(giant),他們不但「孔武有力」,也是「罪大惡極」。所以中文譯為「偉人」並不是指他們是「以德服人」,乃是「以暴制人」。英文譯為有名的「英雄」(hero)並不是指他們有什麼「豐功偉業」而「流芳百世」,乃是「無惡不作」而「聲名大噪」。The Nephilim 是音譯自希伯來原文H5303 נפילn nef-eel’,其字意是「土霸」(bully) 或「暴君」(tyrant)。

當時的世人就在這樣的「巨無霸」帶領下,人人「在地上罪惡很大,終日所思想的盡都是惡。」神看在眼裡,內心憂傷。中文譯本說:「耶和華就後悔造人在地上。」有些英文譯本說:「And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 」(KJV);「And the LORD repented that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 」(Webster)

英文的「repent」(回心轉意)有別於「regret」(悔不當初),在希伯來原文該句中並沒有「悔改」(repent)或「後悔」(regret)這樣的字,而是說「耶和華因內心憂傷,以致發出極大的嘆息聲。」原文H5162 נחם naw-kham’ ,的字意是「有感而發」,可指因「憐憫」(pity)而發,也可指因「憤怒」(avenge)而發。相信神處在這個時候,面對祂所造的人在地上「胡作非為」,心中真可說是「百感交集」。最後祂說:「我要將所造的人和走獸,並昆蟲,以及空中的飛鳥,都從地上除滅。」(只有水中的魚類幸免於難,可能是因為牠們不是生活在地上。)

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A. 挪亞造方舟 (創6:3)

耶和華說:「人既屬乎血氣我的靈就不永遠住在他裡面;然而他的日子還可到一百二十年。」

Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

由於「屬神」與「屬人」的兩個支派相互通婚後,敬虔的人深受不敬虔的人的影響,他們的生活也開始逐漸遠離神。經上說;「你們和不信的原不相配,不要同負一軛。義和不義有甚麼相交呢?光明和黑暗有甚麼相通呢?基督和彼列有甚麼相和呢?信主的和不信主的有甚麼相干呢?」(林後6:14-15)此時世上的人都是「屬乎血氣」,完全把神「拋在腦後」。

「我的靈就不永遠住在他裡面。」這句話在希伯來原文的關鍵字是H1777 ,可作「統管」(rule),「審判」(judge),「爭論」(contend),「爭辯」(strive)。英文譯本有作「爭辯」(strive)(KJV)或「爭論」(contend)(NIV)。因為在舊約時代神的靈不會「長住」(live within)在人裡面,充其量只會「停留」(stay with)在人身上,所以這句話的原意是:「人既屬乎血氣,我的靈就不長久和人爭論。」(言下之意,神就任憑世人胡作非為,但為期只有一百二十年,有解經家就依此認定挪亞造方舟總共花了一百二十年。)

經上說:「他們既然故意不認識神,神就任憑他們存邪僻的心,行那些不合理的事;裝滿了各樣不義、邪惡、貪婪、惡毒;滿心是嫉妒、兇殺、爭競、詭詐、毒恨;又是讒毀的、背後說人的、怨恨神的、侮慢人的、狂傲的、自誇的、捏造惡事的、違背父母的、無知的、背約的、無親情的、不憐憫人的。他們雖知道神判定行這樣事的人是當死的,然而他們不但自己去行,還喜歡別人去行。」(羅1:28-32)

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A. 挪亞造方舟 (創6:1-2)

當人在世上多起來、又生女兒的時候,神的兒子們看見人的女子美貌,就隨意挑選,娶來為妻。

When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.

值得注意的是,這兩句經文中的「人」是指「該隱的後裔」,不敬虔的支派。他們原先被放逐到「伊甸東邊」挪得之地,歷經幾代之後,因生養眾多,開始往外擴張。另一方面「塞特的後裔」,敬虔的支派,他們原先是住在「伊甸園東邊」,歷經幾代之後,因生養眾多,也開始往外擴張。雙方面擴張的結果,就有可能相互往來。

當「該隱的後裔」在世上多起來,又生女兒的時候,暗示他們的後代出現「女多於男」,以致拉麥可以率先娶兩個妻子。這些過剩的女子為了找尋丈夫,她們就向「塞特的後裔」,敬虔的支派,也算是「屬神的人」的男子親近。於是「神的兒子們」看見「人的女子們」(外來的女子)美貎,就「隨意挑選」,娶來為妻。「隨意」表明他們沒有遵照神的旨意,乃是照著自己的私慾行事;「挑選」表明他們有許多擇偶對象,因為當時的社會是女多於男。依據猶太人的傳說,「塞特的後裔」挪亞娶了「該隱的後裔」拉麥的女兒拿瑪 (創4:22) 為妻。拿瑪的字意是「賞心悅目」(pleasant),她自然是個「美貌」的女子。

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B3. 以諾的人生 (創5:21-24)

以諾活到六十五歲,生了瑪土撒拉。以諾生瑪土撒拉之後,與神同行三百年,並且生兒養女。以諾共活了三百六十五歲。以諾與神同行,神將他取去,他就不在世了。

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

難能可貴的是,以諾不但在「屬靈」方面的表現是「可圈可點」,他在「屬世」方面的果效也是「不落人後」,因為經上說他與神同行,「並且生兒養女」,如同其他人一樣。在他的列祖都經歷「長命百歲」先後死去時,以諾是最先不經死亡,而離開人世的人。雖然他在世的年歲與他的列祖相較顯得十分短暫,只有三百六十五年,但是他的一生如同「昇華」,算是「榮耀升天」。

不禁令人想起主耶穌再來時,教會要被提到空中與主相會,信主的人也要不經死亡「榮耀升天」。經上說:「我們現在照主的話告訴你們一件事;我們這活著還存留到主降臨的人,斷不能在那已經睡了的人之先;因為主必親自從天降臨,有呼叫的聲音和天使長的聲音,又有神的號吹響。那在基督裡死了的人必先復活。以後我們這活著還存留的人,必和他們一同被提到雲裡,在空中與主相遇。這樣 ,我們就要和主永遠同在。」(帖前4:15-17)

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B2. 以諾的人生 (創5:21-24)

以諾活到六十五歲,生了瑪土撒拉。以諾生瑪土撒拉之後,與神同行三百年,並且生兒養女。以諾共活了三百六十五歲。以諾與神同行,神將他取去,他就不在世了。

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

以諾也是經上所記第一位「與神同行」的人,經上說:「世人哪,耶和華已指示你何為善。他向你所要的是甚麼呢﹖只要你行公義,好憐憫,存謙卑的心,與你的神同行。」(彌6:8)可見「與神同行」就是行善的表現,也是合神心意的生活人要如何與「看不見的神」(約1:18)同行呢?人雖不能看見神,但神可以使人能看見祂「與神同行」的精意就是「我心尊主為大,我靈以神我的救主為樂。」(路1:46-47) 經上說:「你要保守你心,勝過保守一切,因為一生的果效是由心發出。」(箴4:23)

以諾在瑪土撒拉出生後,就開始過一個這樣的生活,而且是「三百年如一日」。根據經外作品,猶太人傳說以諾那三百年的生活是這樣的:他每天早上到樹林裡去,神用光在樹林裡等著他來。神與他「並肩同行」,神也與他「促膝交談」。神把要交代那個世代的話都先讓以諾知道,以諾就成了「先知」。到了中午以諾就與神分手,回到人群中,並將來自神的信息向他們表明清楚,並且提醒他們「順天者昌,逆天者亡」的道理。

以諾成了神的「密友」(伯29:4),神也使他得知神的「密旨」(伯15:8)。神把許多當代人「聞所未聞」的新聞都告訴了以諾,並使他成為當代人中最有智慧的人。塞特的後代是屬敬虔的支派,他們時常求告耶和華的名,過著敬畏神的生活。人人和平相處,處處坦誠相待,所以他的「與神同行」是在「太平盛世」與後來挪亞的「與神同行」(創6:9)完全不同的處境,他是在「動盪不安」的世代與神同行的。

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B1. 以諾的人生 (創5:21-24)

以諾活到六十五歲,生了瑪土撒拉。以諾生瑪土撒拉之後,與神同行三百年,並且生兒養女。以諾共活了三百六十五歲。以諾與神同行,神將他取去,他就不在世了。

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

該穩犯罪後所生的第一個兒子也叫以諾,後來該穩建造一座城就以他命名,所以這個不敬虔支派的以諾就可以因那座「人手所造」的城而「名揚四海」。然而這個敬虔支派的以諾卻是因他個人「與 神同行」的生活而「留芳百世」。

以諾信仰的轉捩點是在他六十五歲時,生了瑪土撒拉。瑪土撒拉的字意是「他死後,災難就臨到。」這個名字在當時是具有「警示」的用意,相信這個名字是神藉著以諾取的。因此以諾成了經上所記第一位說「預言」的先知,但是經上只記載他的兩次預言:第一次記載在舊約創世記,他藉著「瑪土撒拉」的名字預言人類史上的「第一次世界末日」;第二次記載在新約猶大書,「亞當的七世孫以諾曾豫言這些人說:『看哪!主帶著他的千萬聖者降臨, 要在眾人身上行審判,證實那一切不敬虔的人,所妄行一切不敬虔的事,又證實不敬虔 之罪人,所說頂撞他的剛愎話。』」(猶14-15) 這就是預言了人類史上的「第二次世界末日」。

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A3. 敬虔的後代 (創5:1-20)

亞當的後代記在下面。當神造人的日子,是照著自己的樣式造的,並且造男造女。在他們被造的日子,神賜福給他們,稱他們為「人」。亞當活到一百三十歲,生了一個兒子,形像樣式和自己相似,就給他起名叫塞特。亞當生塞特之後,又在世八百年,並且生兒養女。亞當共活了九百三十歲就死了。塞特活到一百零五歲,生了以挪士。塞特生以挪士之後,又活了八百零七年,並且生兒養女。塞特共活了九百一十二歲就死了。以挪士活到九十歲,生了該南。以挪士生該南之後,又活了八百一十五年,並且生兒養女。以挪士共活了九百零五歲就死了。該南活到七十歲,生了瑪勒列。該南生瑪勒列之後,又活了八百四十年,並且生兒養女。該南共活了九百一十歲就死了。瑪勒列活到六十五歲,生了雅列。瑪勒列生雅列之後,又活了八百三十年,並且生兒養女。瑪勒列共活了八百九十五歲就死了。雅列活到一百六十二歲,生了以諾。雅列生以諾之後,又活了八百年,並且生兒養女。雅列共活了九百六十二歲就死了。

This is the written account of Adam’s line. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them “man." When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died. When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died. When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. And after he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died. When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. And after he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died. When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. And after he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died. When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. And after he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.

創世記第五章記有亞當的後代,可以看出希伯來人有「省略族譜」的寫法。該族譜首先提到「亞當活到一百三十歲,生了塞特。」(創5:3)亞當在一百三十歲之前,就已經有其他的兒女了,由此可見接下來的每個人,經上雖記著說:「某人活到XXX歲,生了兒子。」並不表示在此之前,他都沒有生兒養女,只是這些孩子「乏善可陳」。經上又記著說:「某人生兒子之後,又活了XXX年,並且生兒養女。」對這些後來所生的兒女也只是「點到為止」。

新約馬太福音有記載耶穌的家譜,並以三個「十四代」來連結整個家譜,「這樣,從亞伯拉罕到大衛共有十四代;從大衛到遷至巴比倫的時後也有十四代;從遷至巴比倫的時候到基督又有十四代。」(太1:17)事實上,耶穌的家譜不只四十二代,當中有跳代的寫法。經上之所以用「十四」為單位是因為「大衛」(David)這個希伯來文的三個字母(d+v+d),所代表的數值總和是「十四」(4+6+4)。用「三」 個「十四」來記載耶穌家譜「意味深長」:用「三」是因為耶穌是完全的神,用「十四」是因為耶穌是大衛的子孫。

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A2. 敬虔的後代 (創5:1-20)

亞當的後代記在下面。當神造人的日子,是照著自己的樣式造的,並且造男造女。在他們被造的日子,神賜福給他們,稱他們為「人」。亞當活到一百三十歲,生了一個兒子,形像樣式和自己相似,就給他起名叫塞特。亞當生塞特之後,又在世八百年,並且生兒養女。亞當共活了九百三十歲就死了。塞特活到一百零五歲,生了以挪士。塞特生以挪士之後,又活了八百零七年,並且生兒養女。塞特共活了九百一十二歲就死了。以挪士活到九十歲,生了該南。以挪士生該南之後,又活了八百一十五年,並且生兒養女。以挪士共活了九百零五歲就死了。該南活到七十歲,生了瑪勒列。該南生瑪勒列之後,又活了八百四十年,並且生兒養女。該南共活了九百一十歲就死了。瑪勒列活到六十五歲,生了雅列。瑪勒列生雅列之後,又活了八百三十年,並且生兒養女。瑪勒列共活了八百九十五歲就死了。雅列活到一百六十二歲,生了以諾。雅列生以諾之後,又活了八百年,並且生兒養女。雅列共活了九百六十二歲就死了。

This is the written account of Adam’s line. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them “man." When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died. When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died. When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. And after he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died. When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. And after he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died. When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. And after he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died. When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. And after he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.

這敬虔的後代神都有數算他們在世上的「年歲」,經上的記載「範式」:某人活到XXX歲,生了兒子,以後又活了XXX歲,並且生兒養女,最後在世上共活了XXX歲就死了。他們在世上所作的就是「生兒養女」(好好作人),不像該隱的後代,他們在世上所作的盡是「為所欲為」(壞壞作事)。

經上說:「凡求告主名的,就必得救。」(羅10:13)這敬虔的後代都是「求告主名」的後代,經上所記這六個人的平均歲數是(930+912+905+910+895+962=5514) / 6 =919。以現今人類的平均歲數來看,他們可算是「人瑞中的人瑞」。他們享有長壽,乃是神的旨意,因為神要他們「生養眾多,遍滿地面。」塞特一族代表了蒙救贖的後代,是蒙神保守的支派,也是代表人類的希望。

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A1. 敬虔的後代 (創4:25-26)

亞當又與妻子同房,她就生了一個兒子,起名叫塞特,意思說:「神另給我立了一個兒子代替亞伯,因為該隱殺了他。」塞特也生了一個兒子,起名叫以挪士。那時候,人纔求告耶和華的名。

Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him." Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD .

此處提到「亞當又與妻子同房,她就生了一個兒子。」由句中的「又」字可以推測塞特的出生與亞伯的死去「相距不遠」,當時亞當已在世上活了一百三十年(創5:3),在這一百多年間亞當很可能已經生了好幾代的子孫了。「塞特」這個名字很特別,它是夏娃取的,因為她心想這是神賜給她,來「代替」(substitute)亞伯的。(創4:25) 它也是亞當自己取的,因為他認為這兒子的形像樣式和自己「相似」(likeness)。(創5:3)

由此可以推測得知,塞特是代替亞伯的「敬虔」,在經歷一百多年後的亞當,由於自己的「敬虔」也有了「敬虔」的後代,他們不會因亞伯的死去而絕後。再從塞特的兒子以挪士起,這「敬虔」的後代開始「求告耶和華的名」,與神的交通恢復了,與神的關係改善了。反觀被神放逐的該隱後代,在「異地他鄉」發展人類的文明,高舉「人定勝天」,結果生活改善了,道德卻敗壞了;經濟富裕了,人心卻驕傲了;文明進步了,離神就更遠了。

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