Izifundo Ezisekelwe KwiZibhalo Eziphefumlelweyo Nemvelaphi Yazo

Isifundo 9—Ukumbiwa Kwezinto Zakudala Nengxelo Ephefumlelweyo

Apha kuhlolisiswa oko kuye kwafunyanwa ngokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala neengxelo zamandulo zembali yehlabathi ezingqinela ingxelo yeBhayibhile.

1. Kuthethwa ukuthini (a) ngenzululwazi yeBhayibhile yokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala? (b) ngeeartifacts?

INZULULWAZI yeBhayibhile engokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala kukuhlolisisa izizwe neziganeko zamaxesha okubhalwa kweBhayibhile ngokuqwalaselwa kwemibhalo, izixhobo, izakhiwo nezinye izinto ezasalayo ezifunyanwa emhlabeni. Eli phulo lokufuna izinto ezasala mandulo, iiartifacts, kumazwe amandulo eBhayibhile liye labandakanya uhlolisiso olukhulu nokukhutshwa kweetoni zezigidi zomhlaba. Iartifact yiyo nayiphi na into ebonisa isakhono sobugcisa bomntu nenikela ubungqina bokuba umntu wayesebenza ibe ephila. Ezi zinto zisenokuquka izinto ezenziwe ngodongwe, amabhodlo ezakhiwo, amacwecwe odongwe, imibhalo ekroliweyo, iincwadi, amatye ezikhumbuzo neengxelo ezibhalwe ematyeni.

2. Ixabiseke kangakanani inzululwazi yeBhayibhile engokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala?

² Ngasekuqaleni kwenkulungwane yama-20, inzululwazi yokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala yayenziwe yaba ngumbandela ofundisiswa ngenyameko, njengoko amaphulo okuhlolisisa amazwe eBhayibhile ayexhaswa ziiyunivesithi neemyuziyam ezinkulu eYurophu naseMerika. Ngenxa yoko, abembi bezinto zakudala baye bavumbulula inkcazelo eninzi ebonisa indlela izinto ezazisenziwa ngayo kumaxesha okubhalwa kweBhayibhile. Maxa wambi ubungqina obuye bafunyanwa ngokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala bubonise ubunyaniso beBhayibhile, bubonisa ukuchana kwayo ukusa kwezona nkcukacha zincinane.

UKUMBIWA KWEZINTO ZAKUDALA NEZIBHALO ZESIHEBHERE

3. Ngawaphi amabhodlo neengxelo zamandulo ezingqinela ubukho beeziggurats kwiBhabhiloni yamandulo?

³ INqaba YaseBhabheli. Ngokutsho kweBhayibhile, iNqaba yaseBhabheli yayisisakhiwo esikhulu. (Gen. 11:1-9) Okubangel’ umdla kukuba, kumabhodlo eBhabhiloni yamandulo nakufuphi nawo abembi bezinto zakudala baye bavumbulula iiziggurats, okanye iinqaba zetempile ezibupyramid nezinemigangatho ebonakalayo, kuquka ibhodlo letempile eyadilikayo likaEtemenanki, eyayiphakathi kweendonga zaseBhabhiloni. Iingxelo zamandulo ezingezo tempile ngokufuthi zinamazwi athi, “Incopho yayo iza kufikelela emazulwini.” Kukho ingxelo yokuba uKumkani uNebhukadenetsare wathi, “Ndayinyusa incopho yeNqaba yetempile kaEtemenanki ukuze ilingane namazulu.” Elinye icwecwe lichaza ngokuwa kwenqaba enjalo ngala mazwi: “Isakhiwo sale tempile sabacaphukisa oothixo. Ebusuku bakudilizile oko kwakwakhiwe. Babachithachitha baba ziintsali, baza babanika nentetho entsha. Bayiphazamisile inkqubela.”a

4. Bubuphi ubungqina bezinto zakudala ezimbiweyo obuye bafunyanwa eGihon, ibe ezi zisenokunxibelelana njani nengxelo yeBhayibhile?

⁴ Imijelo Yamanzi Kumthombo WaseGihon. Ngowe-1867 kummandla weYerusalem, uCharles Warren wafumana umjelo wamanzi ophuma kuMthombo waseGihon umpompozela entabeni, umjelo oya ngaseMzini kaDavide. Ngelicacileyo, yayilapha indlela amadoda kaDavide awangena ngayo ekuqaleni kulo mzi. (2 Sam. 5:6-10) Kwakungowe-1909-11 ekwathi yonke imijelo yamanzi ephuma kumthombo weGihon yabonwa kakuhle. Omnye umjelo omkhulu, onomlinganiselo weemitha ezisisi-1,8 ukuphakama, wembiwa kangangeemitha ezingama-533 kwilitye elilushica. Wawuphuma eGihon usiya kwiChibi laseSilowa kwiNtlambo yaseTyropoeon (esixekweni) ibe ngokucacileyo ngulowo wakhiwa nguHezekiya. Umbhalo okroliweyo wesiHebhere samandulo wafunyanwa kudonga lomjelo omxinwa. Ngokuyinxenye, ufundeka ngolu hlobo: “Kwaye le yindlela ekwangenwa ngayo:—Ngoxa [ . . . ] (kwakusenjalo) [ . . . ] kusetyenziswa izembe (amazembe), ndoda nganye ijongene nowayo, ibe ngoxa kwakusekho iikubhite ezintathu ekumele kucandwe kuzo, [kweviwa] ilizwi lendoda limemeza uwayo, kuba kwakukho umaleko kwilitye elingasekunene [nelingasekhohlo]. Yaye xa kwagqojozwa kulo mjelo, abembi bamatye baliqengqa (ilitye), yayileyo indoda yajongana nowayo, kwakhala izembe; ibe amanzi ampompoza ukusuka emthonjeni ukuya edamini kangangeekubhite ezili-1 200, ibe eli litye laliphakame ngeekubhite ezili-100 phezu kwentloko (kweentloko) zabembi.” Onjani wona ukuphawuleka umgudu wezobunjineli ngaloo maxesha!b—2 Kum. 20:20; 2 Kron. 32:30.

5. Bubuphi ubungqina bezinto zakudala obafunyanwa eKarnaki obubonisa ukuhlasela kukaShishaki namagama eendawo akhankanywe eBhayibhileni?

⁵ Umfanekiso Okroliweyo Onengxelo Yoloyiso LukaShishaki. UShishaki, ukumkani waseYiputa, ukhankanywa izihlandlo ezisixhenxe eBhayibhileni. Ngenxa yokuba uKumkani uRehabheham wawushiya umyalelo kaYehova, uYehova wamvumela uShishaki ukuba ahlasele elakwaYuda, ngowama-993 B.C.E., kodwa akamvumelanga ukuba alonakalise ngokupheleleyo. (1 Kum. 14:25-28; 2 Kron. 12:1-12) De kwaba yiminyaka yakutshanje, kwakubonakala ukuba yiBhayibhile kuphela equlethe ingxelo yolu hlaselo. Kwandula ke kwabonakala umbhalo omkhulu kaFaro iBhayibhile embiza ngokuba nguShishaki (Sheshonk I). Lo mbhalo yayingumfanekiso omkhulu okroliweyo nonemizobo nemifanekiso owafunyanwa kudonga olusemzantsi lwetempile enkulu yaseYiputa eKarnaki (iTebhetse yamandulo). Kweli litye likhulu, kukho umzobo wothixo waseYiputa uAmon, ngesandla sakhe sasekunene ethe qhiwu ikrele elimilise okwerhengqa. Uzisa kuFaro Shishaki amabanjwa asePalestina ali-156 akhonkxiweyo, adityaniswe ngeentambo kwisandla sakhe sasekhohlo. Mbanjwa ngamnye umela isixeko okanye ilali, igama laso eliboniswe ngomzobo okwelo litye. Phakathi kwezo zisafundekayo nezinokuchazwa yiRabhiti (Yosh. 19:20); iTahanaki, iBhete-shehan neMegido (Yosh. 17:11); iShunem (Yosh. 19:18); iRehobhi (Yosh. 19:28); iHafarayim (Yosh. 19:19); iGibheyon (Yosh. 18:25); iBhete-horon (Yosh. 21:22); iAyalon (Yosh. 21:24); iSoko (Yosh. 15:36); neArade (Yosh. 21:14). Lo mbhalo ukwabhekisela ‘kwiNtsimi ka-Abram,’ ibe lo ngowona mbhalo wokuqala okhankanya uAbraham kwiingxelo zaseYiputa.c

6, 7. Ithini imbali yeLitye lakwaMowabhi, ibe ithini inkcazelo eliyinikelayo mayela nemfazwe phakathi koSirayeli noMowabhi?

⁶ ILitye LakwaMowabhi. Ngowe-1868 umvangeli ongumJamani uF. A. Klein ngokuphawulekayo wafumana umbhalo okroliweyo wamandulo eDhiban (eDibhon). Lo mbhalo uye waziwa ngokuba liLitye lakwaMowabhi. Kwazanywa ukubonwa ixesha elabhalwa ngalo, kodwa ilitye lona ngokwalo laqhekezwa ngama-Arabhu ngaphambi kokuba libe nokukhutshwa. Phofu ke, iingceba zalo ezininzi zafunyanwa, ibe ngoku eli litye ligcinwe kwiLouvre, eParis, ibe umbhalo walo ukwiMyuziyam yaseBritani, eLondon. Ntlandlolo laliseDibhon, kwaMowabhi, ibe linikela ingxelo kaKumkani uMesha yokuvukela kwakhe uSirayeli. (2 Kum. 1:1; 3:4, 5) Ngokuyinxenye, lifundeka ngolu hlobo: “Mna ndinguMesha, unyana kaKemoshe-[ . . . ], ukumkani wakwaMowabhi, noyinzalelwane yaseDibhon . . . Ke yena uOmri, ukumkani wakwaSirayeli, walihlazisa elakwaMowabhi kangangeminyaka emininzi (iintsuku, ngokoqobo), kuba uKemoshe [uthixo wakwaMowabhi] wayeliqumbele ilizwe lakhe. Kwaye unyana wakhe wangena esikhundleni sakhe waza naye wathi, ‘ndiza kulihlazisa elakwaMowabhi.’ Ebudeni bokulawula kwam wathetha (ngolo hlobo), kodwa ndiye ndamoyisa yena nendlu yakhe, ngoxa uSirayeli etshabalele ngonaphakade! . . . Ibe uKemoshe wathi kum, ‘Yiya, uyithabathe iNebho kuSirayeli!’ Ngoko ndaya ngobusuku ndaza ndalwa nayo ukususela xa kuthi qheke ukusa de kwasemini enkulu, ndayithimba ndaza ndababulala bonke . . . Ibe ndathabatha apho [izitya] zikaYahweh, ndazithabatha ndazibeka phambi kukaKemoshe.”d Phawula ukukhankanywa kwegama likaThixo kwesi sivakalisi sokugqibela. Eli linokubonwa kumfanekiso olapha weLitye lakwaMowabhi. Likwimo yeTetragrammaton, ngasekunene embhalweni, kumqolo we-18.

⁷ ILitye lakwaMowabhi likwakhankanya nezi ndawo zilandelayo ziseBhayibhileni: iAtaroti neNebho (Num. 32:34, 38); iArnon, iArohere, iMedebha neDibhon (Yosh. 13:9); iBhamoti-bhahali, iBhete-bhahali-mehon, iYatsa neKiriyatayim (Yosh. 13:17-19); iBhetsere (Yosh. 20:8), iHorohayim (Isa. 15:5); neBhete-dibhelatayim neKiriyoti (Yer. 48:23, 24). Ngaloo ndlela ixhasa isibakala sokuba zazikho ezi ndawo embalini.

8. Ithini ingxelo yeBhayibhile ngoSaneribhe, ibe izinto ezavunjululwa kwibhotwe lakhe zityhila ntoni?

⁸ ILitye Elikhazimlayo Nelinamacala Amathandathu LikaKumkani USaneribhe. Ngeenkcukacha ezicacileyo iBhayibhile inikela ingxelo yokuhlasela kwama-Asiriya phantsi koKumkani uSaneribhe ngonyaka wama-732 B.C.E. (2 Kum. 18:13–19:37; 2 Kron. 32:1-22; Isa. 36:1–37:38) Kwakusebudeni bowe-1847-51 awathi ummbi wezinto zakudala oliNgesi uA. H. Layard wavumbulula amabhodlo ebhotwe elikhulu likaSaneribhe eNineve kummandla weAsiriya yamandulo. Kwafunyaniswa ukuba eli bhotwe linamagumbi amalunga nama-70, lineendonga ezibuphakama phantse ngaphezu kweemitha ezingama-3 000 nezinomaleko oqingqiweyo. Iingxelo zeziganeko zeminyaka ngeminyaka zikaSaneribhe zazibhalwe kwiingqayi zodongwe, okanye ematyeni akhazimlayo. Uhlelo lokugqibela lwezi ngxelo, ngelicacileyo olwenziwa ngaphambi nje kokufa kwakhe, libonakala koko kwaziwa ngokuba yiTaylor Prism, elondolozwe kwiMyuziyam yaseBritani, kodwa iOriental Institute yeYunivesithi yaseChicago inombhalo ocace ngakumbi weli litye elafunyanwa kufuphi namanxuwa eNineve yamandulo, ikomkhulu loBukhosi baseAsiriya.

9. Yintoni uSaneribhe ayibhalileyo, ngokuvisisana nengxelo yeBhayibhile, kodwa yintoni angayibhalanga, ibe ngoba?

⁹ Kwezi ngxelo zokugqibela, uSaneribhe unikela eyakhe inkcazelo yokuzigwagwisa ngokuhlasela kwakhe uYuda: “Ke uHezekiya yena, umYuda, akazithobanga kwidyokhwe yam, ndayingqinga imizi yakhe enqabisekileyo engama-46, iinqaba ezibiyelwe ngeendonga neelali ezininzi ezincinane ezikuloo mmandla, ibe ndazoyisa (zona) ngokusebenzisa iindlela (zomhlaba) ezigudiswe kakuhle, neenjini ezinamandla zokudiliza (ngaloo ndlela) zasondezwa kufuphi (neendonga) (kusetyenziswa) nohlaselo lwamajoni ahamba ngeenyawo, (esebenzisa) iinyoba ezingaphantsi komhlaba, imijelo kwaneebhulorho ezenziwe ngobuchule. Ndagxotha apho (kuloo mizi) abantu abangama-200 150, abancinane nabakhulu, amadoda nabafazi, amahashe, iimeyile, amaesile, iinkamela, imihlambi yeenkomo namathole engenakubalwa, ibe ndandizigqala (ezi) njengamaxhoba. Yena [uHezekiya] ndamenza umbanjwa eYerusalem, kwibhotwe lobukhosi bakhe, enkolonkoloza njengentaka evalelweyo. . . . Iidolophu zakhe endaziphangayo, ndazithimba kwilizwe lakhe ndaza ndazinikela kuMitinti, ukumkani waseAshdodi, uPadi, ukumkani wase-Ekron noSilibheli, ukumkani waseGaza. . . . UHezekiya yena . . . wandithumela, kamva, eNineve, ikomkhulu lam, kunye neetalente zegolide ezingama-30, iitalente zesilivere ezingama-800, amatye anqabileyo, iantimony, iinxalenye ezinkulu zelitye elibomvu, izingqengqelo (ezityhidiweyo) zeempondo zendlovu, izihlalo zenimedu (ezityhidiweyo) ngeempondo zendlovu, izikhumba zeendlovu, umthi womsimbithi, iboxwood (nazo) zonke iintlobo zobuncwane obuxabisekileyo, iintombi, amashweshwe, iimvumi zakhe (buqu) ezingamadoda nezingamabhinqa. Ukuze athumele le mali yesicengo nokunikela imbeko njengekhoboka wathumela umthunywa wakhe (wobuqu).”e Mayela nale mali yesicengo uSaneribhe awayeyibiza kuHezekiya, iBhayibhile iyazingqinela iitalente zegolide ezingama-30 kodwa ikhankanya iitalente zesilivere ezingama-300 kuphela. Ngaphezu koko, ibonisa ukuba oku kwenzeka ngaphambi kokuba uSaneribhe asongele iYerusalem ngokuyingqinga. Kule ngxelo igqwethekileyo kaSaneribhe yembali yaseAsiriya, akakukhankanyi ngabom ukoyiswa kwakhe okuyintlekele kwaYuda, xa ngobusuku nje obunye isithunywa sezulu sikaYehova satshabalalisa amajoni akhe ali- 185 000, ngaloo ndlela enyanzeleka ukuba asabele eNineve oyiswe ngokuziintloni. Sekunjalo, le ngxelo ibhaliweyo yokuzigwagwisa ekwiLitye Elikhazimlayo likaSaneribhe ibonisa ukuhlasela okukhulu kwelakwaYuda ngaphambi kokuba uYehova awadudulele emva ama-Asiriya emva kokuba ayesongela iYerusalem.—2 Kum. 18:14; 19:35, 36.

10, 11. (a) IiNcwadi zaseLakishe ziyintoni, ibe zibonisa ntoni? (b) Ziyixhasa njani imibhalo kaYeremiya?

¹⁰ Iincwadi ZaseLakishe. Isixeko esinqabisekileyo nesidumileyo saseLakishe sikhankanywa izihlandlo ezingaphezu kwama-20 eBhayibhileni. Sasimi kumgama omalunga neekhilomitha ezingama-44 kumzantsi-ntshona weYerusalem. Amabhodlo aye avunjululwa kanobom apho. Ngowe-1935, kwigumbi labalindi kwindlu yamasango amabini, kwafunyanwa iziqwengana ezili-18, okanye iingceba zodongwe ezikrolwe ngemibhalo (ngowe-1938 kwafunyanwa ezi-3 ezingakumbi). Kwathi kwabonakala ukuba ezi yayizincwadi ezininzi ezazibhalwe ngoonobumba bamandulo besiHebhere. Le ngqokelela yama-21 ngoku yaziwa ngokuba ziiNcwadi ZaseLakishe. ILakishe yayiyenye yeenqaba zokugqibela zakwaYuda ezakuxhathisayo ukuhlasela kukaNebhukadenetsare, neyathi yadilizwa yaza yatshiswa ngomlilo ebudeni bowama-609-607 B.C.E. Ezi ncwadi zibonisa ukungxamiseka kwaloo maxesha. Kubonakala ukuba ziincwadi ezabhalelwa kumagxamesi okugqibela emikhosi yakwaYuda zibhalelwa uYahoshe, umphathi-mkhosi owayeseLakishe. Enye yezi (eyesi-IV) ngokuyinxenye ifundeka ngokuthi: “Ngamana uYHWH [“uYehova” ngokweTetragrammaton] angayibangela inkosi yam ngoku ive iindaba zokulunga. . . . sondele imiqondiso yomlilo eLakishe, ngokutsho kwayo yonke imiqondiso inkosi yam eyinikelayo, kuba asiyiboni iAzeka.” Oku kumngqinela ngokucacileyo uYeremiya 34:7, okhankanya iLakishe neAzeka njengezixeko ezibini zokugqibela ezinqatyisiweyo ezasalayo. Ngelicacileyo le ncwadi ibonisa ukuba ngoku iAzeka nayo yayiwile. Igama likaThixo, kwiTetragrammaton, libonakala ngokufuthi kwezi ncwadi, nto leyo ebonisa ukuba igama likaYehova lalisetyenziswa yonke imihla phakathi kwamaYuda ngelo xesha.

¹¹ Enye incwadi (eyesi-III) iqalisa ngokuthi: “Kwanga uYHWH [oko kukuthi, uYehova] angayibangela inkosi yam ive iindaba zoxolo! . . . Ibe zifikile kumkhonzi wakho iindaba ezithi, ‘Umphathi-mkhosi, uKoniya unyana kaElinatan, uhlile ukuze aye eYiputa yaye kuHodaviya unyana ka-Ahiya namadoda akhe uthumele ukuba aze kufumana [izixhaso].’” Kubonakala ukuba le ncwadi iyayingqina into yokuba uYuda wehla waya eYiputa ukuya kucela uncedo, nto leyo eyayikukwaphula umyalelo kaYehova neyabangela ukutshatyalaliswa kwakhe. (Isa. 31:1; Yer. 46:25, 26) Igama elithi Elinatan nelithi Hoshaya, afumaneka kumbhalo opheleleyo wale ncwadi, akwafunyanwa kuYeremiya 36:12 nakuYeremiya 42:1. Amanye amagama amathathu akhankanyiweyo kwezi ncwadi akwafumaneka kwincwadi kaYeremiya eBhayibhileni. Lawo nguGemariya, uNeriya noYazaniya.—Yer. 32:12; 35:3; 36:10.f

12, 13. INcwadi Yengxelo Yeziganeko kaNabonidus ichaza ntoni, ibe kutheni le nto ixabiseke ngokukhethekileyo?

¹² Incwadi Yengxelo Yeziganeko KaNabonidus. Kwinxalenye yokugqibela yenkulungwane ye-19, ngokuvunjululwa komhlaba kufuphi neBaghdad kwafunyanwa amacwecwe nemiqulu emininzi yodongwe eyathi yenza ukuba imbali yeBhabhiloni yamandulo iqondwe ngakumbi. Enye yezi yayingumbhalo oxabiseke gqitha owaziwa ngokuba yiNcwadi Yengxelo Yeziganeko kaNabonidus ngoku okwiMyuziyam yaseBritani. UKumkani uNabonidus waseBhabhiloni wayenguyise wesekela lakhe, uBheleshatsare. Waphila ithuba elide kunonyana wakhe, owabulawa ngobusuku bokuthimba kwemikhosi kaKoreshi umPersi iBhabhiloni, ngo-Oktobha 5, 539 B.C.E. (Dan. 5:30, 31) INcwadi Yengxelo Yeziganeko kaNabonidus, umbhalo onemihla echane kakuhle yokuwa kweBhabhiloni, uyanceda ekumiseleni usuku esenzeka ngalo esi siganeko. Inkcazelo elandelayo yinguqulelo yenxalenye encinane esuka kule Ncwadi Yengxelo Yeziganeko kaNabonidus: “Ngenyanga kaTashritu [uTishri (Septemba-Oktobha)], xa uKoreshi wahlasela umkhosi waseAkadi eOpisi kwiTigris . . . ngosuku lwe-14, iSipare yathinjwa ngaphandle kokulwa. UNabonidus wasaba. Ngosuku lwe-16 [Oktobha 11, 539 B.C.E., ngokwekhalenda kaJulius okanye Oktobha 5, ngokwekaGregory] uGobryas (Ugbaru), irhuluneli yaseGutium nomkhosi kaKoreshi bangena eBhabhiloni ngaphandle kokulwa. Kamva uNabonidus wabanjwa eBhabhiloni xa wabuyela (apho). . . . Ngenyanga ka-Arahshamnu [Marchesvan (Oktobha-Novemba)], ngosuku lwesi-3 [Oktobha 28 kwekaJulius], uKoreshi wangena eBhabhiloni, amasebe aluhlaza andlalwa phambi kwakhe—imo ‘yoXolo’ (sulmu) yamiselwa esixekweni. UKoreshi wathumela imibuliso kuyo yonke iBhabhiloni. UGobryas, irhuluneli yakhe, wamisela iirhuluneli (ezingaphantsi) eBhabhiloni.”g

¹³ Kusenokuphawulwa ukuba uDariyo umMedi akakhankanywanga kule ngxelo, ibe ukuza kuthi ga ngoku, akukabikho nto ifunyenweyo ikhankanya lo Dariyo nakuyiphi na imibhalo ekroliweyo engeyoyaBhayibhile, ibe akakhankanywa nakuyiphi na incwadi yembali yehlabathi eyayikho ngaphambi kwexesha likaJosephus (umbhali-mbali ongumYuda wenkulungwane yokuqala yeXesha Eliqhelekileyo). Ngoko ke bambi baye babonisa ukuba usenokuba unguGobryas okhankanywe kwingxelo engasentla. Ngoxa ingxelo efumanekayo ngoGobryas ibonakala ifana naleyo ingoDariyo, ibango elinjalo alinakugqalwa njengeliqinisekileyo.h Enoba kuyintoni na, imbali yehlabathi ibonisa ngokuqinisekileyo ukuba uKoreshi wayengumntu obalaseleyo ekoyisweni kweBhabhiloni nokuba emva koko walawula apho njengokumkani.

14. Yintoni ebhalwe kuMqulu kaKoreshi?

¹⁴ UMqulu KaKoreshi. Kwithuba elithile emva kokuqalisa kwakhe ukulawula njengokumkani weGunya Lehlabathi lasePersi, ukuthimba kukaKoreshi iBhabhiloni ngowama-539 B.C.E. kwabhalwa kumqulu wodongwe. Nalo mbhalo ubalaseleyo ugciniwe kwiMyuziyam yaseBritani. Nantsi inxalenye eguqulelweyo yalo mbhalo: “NdinguKoreshi, ukumkani wehlabathi, ukumkani omkhulu, ukumkani ofanelekileyo, ukumkani waseBhabhiloni, ukumkani waseSumer naseAkadi, ukumkani weembombo ezine (zomhlaba), . . . Ndabuyela kwizixeko ezingcwele [ezithile ezikhankanywe ngaphambilana] ezikwelinye icala leTigris, izixeko ezingcwele ebezisoloko zingamabhodlo kangangexesha elide, imifanekiso (eyayidla) ngokuba lapho ndaza ndamisela kuzo iingcwele ezihlala zihleli. Ndahlanganisa (kwakhona) bonke abemi bazo (bangaphambili) ndaza ndabuyisela (kuzo) abemi bazo.”i

15. UMqulu kaKoreshi utyhila ntoni ngoKoreshi, ibe oku kuvisisana njani neBhayibhile?

¹⁵ Ngaloo ndlela uMqulu kaKoreshi wenza kwaziwe inkqubo yalo kumkani yokubuyisela izizwe ezithinjiweyo kwiindawo zazo zangaphambili. Ngokuvisisana noku, uKoreshi wakhupha ummiselo wokuba amaYuda abuyele eYerusalem aze ayakhe kwakhona indlu kaYehova apho. Okubangel’ umdla kukuba, kwiminyaka engama-200 ngaphambili, uYehova ngesiprofeto wamchaza uKoreshi njengalowo wayeya kuthimba iBhabhiloni aze ayalele ukubuyiselwa kwabantu bakaYehova.—Isa. 44:28; 45:1; 2 Kron. 36:23.

UKUMBIWA KWEZINTO ZAKUDALA NEZIBHALO ZAMAKRISTU ZESIGRIKE

16. Yintoni ukumbiwa kwezinto zakudala okuye kwayityhila ngeZibhalo zesiGrike?

¹⁶ Njengoko kuye kwenjenjalo ngeZibhalo zesiHebhere, ukumbiwa kwezinto zakudala kuye kwavelisa ubungqina obuninzi obubangel’ umdla nobuxhasa ingxelo ephefumlelweyo ekwiZibhalo zamaKristu zesiGrike.

17. Ukumbiwa kwezinto zakudala kuyixhasa njani ingxubusho kaYesu ngombandela werhafu?

¹⁷ IDenariyo Enombhalo KaTibheriyo. IBhayibhile ikubonisa ngokucacileyo ukuba uYesu wabufeza ubulungiseleli bakhe ebudeni bolawulo lukaTibheriyo Kesare. Bambi babachasi bakaYesu bazama ukumbambisa ngokumbuza ngombandela wokuhlawula irhafu yentloko kuKesare. Ingxelo ifundeka ngolu hlobo: “Ekwazi ukuhanahanisa kwabo, wathi kubo, Nindilingelani na? Ndiziseleni idenariyo, ndiyibone. Bayizisa ke. Athi kubo, Ngokabani na lo mfanekiso nombhalo? Bathi ke kuye, NgokaKesare. Waphendula uYesu wathi kubo, Nikelani izinto zikaKesare kuKesare, nezinto zikaThixo kuThixo. Bamangaliswa nguye.” (Marko 12:15-17) Abembi bezinto zakudala baye bafumana idenariyo yesilivere enomfanekiso wentloko kaTibheriyo Kesare! Yayisetyenziswa malunga nowe-15 C.E. Oku kuvisisana nexesha lokulawula kukaTibheriyo njengomlawuli, lawulo olo olwaqalisa ngowe-14 C.E., ibe kuxhasa ngokongezelelekileyo ingxelo ethi uYohane uMbhaptizi wabuqalisa ubulungiseleli bakhe ngonyaka we-15 kaTibheriyo, okanye entwasahlobo yowama-29 C.E.—Luka 3:1, 2.

18. Yintoni eye yafunyanwa ebhekisela kuPontiyo Pilato?

¹⁸ Umbhalo Okroliweyo KaPontiyo Pilato. Kwakungowe-1961 ekwathi kwafunyanwa okokuqala izinto ezimbiweyo ezazibhekisela kuPontiyo Pilato. Eli yayilicwecwe lelitye elafunyanwa eKesareya, ekubhalwe kulo ngesiLatini igama likaPontiyo Pilato.

19.Yintoni esekhoyo eAtene, engqinela izinto ezichazwe kwiZenzo 17:16-34?

¹⁹ IAreyopago. UPawulos wanikela enye yezona ntetho zakhe zidumileyo nezibhaliweyo eAtene, eGrisi, ngowama-50 C.E. (IZe. 17:16-34) Oku kwenzeka xa abathile eAtene babamba uPawulos baza bamkhokelela eAreyopago. IAreyopago, okanye iNduli ka-Ares (iNduli kaMars), ligama lenduli engumkhuthuka nenamatye, emalunga neemitha ezili-113 ukuphakama, engemgama ungakanani ngasempuma kumntla-ntshona weAcropolis yaseAtene. Amanqwanqwa aqingqwe ematyeni akhokelela entabeni, apho izihlalo ezirhabaxa nezenziwe ngamatye, ezakhe amacala amathathu ebala, asabonakala. IAreyopago iselapho, nto leyo engqinela ingxelo yeBhayibhile yendawo awanikela kuyo uPawulos intetho yakhe esembalini.

20. ILitye likaTitus liyaqhubeka lingqinela ntoni, ibe likwenza njani oku?

²⁰ ILitye LikaTitus. IYerusalem netempile yayo zatshatyalaliswa ngamaRoma awayekhokelwa nguTitus, ngowama-70 C.E. Ngonyaka olandelayo, eRoma, uTitus wabhiyozela olu loyiso lwakhe, ekunye noyise, uMlawuli uVespasian. Ababanjwa abangamaYuda abanyuliweyo nabangamakhulu asixhenxe babematsha kulo mngcelele woloyiso. Kwakhona kwaboniswa kulo mngcelele ngamaxhoba amaninzi emfazwe, kuquka ubuncwane betempile. UTitus waba ngumlawuli, elawula ukususela ngowama-79 kuse kowama-81 C.E., ibe emva kokufa kwakhe ilitye elikhulu lesikhumbuzo, iLitye likaTitus, lagqitywa laza lanikezelwa kudivo Tito (kuTitus ohlonelwayo). Umngcelele wakhe woloyiso uboniswe kwilitye elikhulu, uzotywe kwicala ngalinye lembobo kweli litye. Kwelinye icala, kukho umfanekiso wamasoldati angamaRoma, ephethe iintonga zemikhonto kwaye ethwele izithsaba zeelaurels, ephethe impahla yendlu engcwele ethinjwe kwitempile yaseYerusalem. Le iquka isiphatho sesibane esinemingxuma esixhenxe netafile yezonka zomboniso, tafile leyo ekubekwe phezu kwayo amaxilongo angcwele. Eli litye kwelinye icala lembobo libonisa uTitus owoyisileyo emi kwinqwelo yokulwa etsalwa ngamahashe amane neqhutywa ngumfazi omela isixeko saseRoma.j Nyaka ngamnye abakhenkethi abaninzi bayalihlolisisa eli Litye loloyiso likaTitus, elisemi eRoma njengobungqina obungenakushukunyiswa bokuzaliseka kwesiprofeto sikaYesu nokuphunyezwa okoyikekayo komgwebo kaYehova phezu kweYerusalem eyavukelayo.—Mat. 23:37–24:2; Luka 19:43, 44; 21:20-24.

21. (a) Ukumbiwa kwezinto zakudala kuye kwasebenza njani ngendlela efanayo nokufunyanwa kwemibhalo-ngqangi? (b) Sisiphi isimo sengqondo esifanelekileyo omele ube naso ngenzululwazi yokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala?

²¹ Ngendlela efanayo naleyo ukufunyanwa kwemibhalo-ngqangi yamandulo ekuye kwanegalelo ngayo ekubuyiseleni umbhalo ocacileyo nowantlandlolo weBhayibhile, ngoko ukufunyanwa kwamacwecwe amaninzi abonisa imisebenzi nezinto ezazisenziwa ngabantu ngokufuthi kuye kwabonisa ukuba izinto ezichazwe eBhayibhileni zinokuthenjwa ngokwembali, ngokobalo-maxesha nangokuma kwelizwe, ukufikelela nakwezona nkcukacha zincinane. Phofu ke, bekuya kuba yimpazamo ukugqiba kwelokuba inzululwazi yokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala ivumelana neBhayibhile kuzo zonke iimeko. Kumele kukhunjulwe ukuba inzululwazi yezinto zakudala ayilohlolisiso lungenakusilela. Ubungqina bezinto ezimbiweyo bucaciswa ngabantu, ibe zimbi zeendlela abacacisa ngazo ziye zaguquka amaxesha amaninzi. Maxa wambi ukumbiwa kwezinto zakudala kuye kwanikela inkxaso engeyomfuneko kubunyaniso beLizwi likaThixo. Ngokubhekele phaya, njengoko kwatsho uMhlekazi Frederic Kenyon ongasekhoyo, owayengumalathisi nomnyamekeli oyintloko wamathala eencwadi kwiMyuziyam yaseBritani kangangeminyaka emininzi, ukumbiwa kwezinto zakudala kuye kwayibonisa iBhayibhile “inobulumko obungakumbi ngokuyazi ngokupheleleyo imvelaphi yayo nokubekwa kwezinto kuyo.”k Kodwa abantu bamele bakholelwe eBhayibhileni, kungekhona kwinzululwazi yokumbiwa kwezinto zakudala.—Roma 10:9; Heb. 11:6.

22. Bubuphi ubungqina obuza kuqwalaselwa kwisifundo esilandelayo?

²² Kuyo ngokwayo iBhayibhile inobungqina obungenakuphikiswa bokuba ngenene ‘ililizwi eliyinyaniso loThixo ophilayo noya kuhlala ekho,’ njengoko siza kubona kwisifundo esilandelayo.—1 Pet. 1:23.

[Imibhalo esemazantsi]

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 333]

Ilitye LakwaMowabhi

Umbhalo owandisiweyo weTetragrammaton, obonakala kwincwadi yamandulo, kumqolo we-18, ngasekunene

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 334]

Ilitye Elikhazimlayo LikaKumkani USaneribhe

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 335]

Incwadi Yengxelo Yeziganeko kaNabonidus

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 336]

Idenariyo Enombhalo KaTibheriyo

[Umfanekiso okwiphepha 337]

Ilitye LikaTitus

[Inkcazelo Ngomfanekiso okwiphepha 337]

Imithombo Yemifanekiso yeSifundo 9 idweliswe ngokwamaphepha:

okwiphepha 333, iMusée du Louvre, eParis;

okwiphepha 334, iCourtesy of the Oriental Institute, kwiYunivesithi yaseChicago;

okwiphepha 335, iCourtesy of the Trustees of The British Museum;

okwiphepha 336, iCourtesy of the Trustees of The British Museum.