Izifundo NgemiBhalo Ephefumlelwe Nesizinda Sayo
ISifundo Sesi-2—Isikhathi NemiBhalo Engcwele
Ukuchaza ukuhlukaniswa kwesikhathi okusetshenziswe eBhayibhelini, amakhalenda ayesetshenziswa ngokuvamile, izinsuku ezibalulekile zeBhayibheli, namaphuzu athakazelisayo ngokuphathelene ‘nohlelo lwesikhathi.’
1, 2. Yini uSolomoni ayiloba ngokuphathelene nesikhathi, futhi ngokucabangela ukudlula ngokushesha kwesikhathi, yini okumelwe siyenze ngaso?
UMUNTU ukuqaphela ngokujulile ukudlula kwesikhathi. Ngokuncenceza ngakunye kwewashi, usondela ngesinyathelo esisodwa ekupheleni kwesikhathi. Ngempela, uhlakaniphile uma esisebenzisa ngokufanele isikhathi sakhe. Njengoba iNkosi uSolomoni yabhala: “Konke kunesikhathi sakho, yonke indaba inomzuzu wayo phansi kwezulu. Kukhona isikhathi sokuzalwa nesikhathi sokufa, isikhathi sokutshala nesikhathi sokusiphula okutshaliweyo; isikhathi sokubulala nesikhathi sokuphilisa, isikhathi sokudiliza nesikhathi sokwakha; isikhathi sokukhala nesikhathi sokuhleka.” (UmSh. 3:1-4) Yeka indlela isikhathi esidlula ngokushesha ngayo! Iminyaka engu-70 eyisikhathi esivamile sokuphila iyisikhathi esifushane kakhulu ukuba umuntu angangenisa ulwazi oluningi futhi ajabulele zonke ezinye izinto ezinhle uJehova aye wazilungiselela umuntu kulomhlaba. “Wenzile konke kube-kuhle esikhathini sakho, ubekile nokuphakade ezinhliziyweni zabo; nokho umuntu angefumane umsebenzi awenzile uNkulunkulu kwasekuqaleni kuze kube-sekupheleni.”—UmSh. 3:11; IHu. 90:10.
2 UJehova ngokwakhe uphila esikhathini esiphakade. Ngokuqondene nezidalwa zakhe, ukubone kukuhle ukuzifaka ohlelweni lwesikhathi. Izingelosi zasezulwini, kuhlanganise ngisho noSathane owahlubuka, zikuqaphela ngokugcwele ukudlula kwesikhathi. (Dan. 10:13; IsAm. 12:12) Ngesintu kulotshiwe ukuthi, “Bonke bahlangabezana nesikhathi nethuba.” (UmSh. 9:11) Uyajabula umuntu ngazo zonke izikhathi omfakayo uNkulunkulu emicabangweni yakhe nolamukelayo ilungiselelo likaNkulunkulu ‘lokudla ngesikhathi sakho’!—Math. 24:45.
3. Isikhathi nomkhathi kufana ngani?
3 Isikhathi Siya Ohlangothi Olulodwa. Nakuba isikhathi sikhona yonke indawo, akekho umuntu ophilayo okwaziyo ukusho ukuthi siyini. Asiqondakali njengomkhathi. Akekho ongachaza ukuthi uhlelo lwesikhathi luqalaphi noma ukuthi luyaphi. Lezinto zingezolwazi olungenamkhawulo lukaJehova, ochazwa ngokuthi unguNkulunkulu “kusukela phakade kuze kube-phakade.”—IHu. 90:2.
4. Yini engashiwo ngokuhamba kwesikhathi?
4 Ngakolunye uhlangothi, isikhathi sinezici ezithile ezingaqondakala. Izinga elisobala lokuhamba kwaso lingalinganiswa. Ngaphezu kwalokho, isikhathi siya ohlangothini olulodwa. Njengezimoto ezihamba emgwaqweni oya ohlangothini olulodwa, isikhathi siya kulolohlangothi olulodwa—phambili, phambili njalo. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi lingakanani ijubane lokuya kwaso phambili, isikhathi asinakulokotha sihlehliswe. Siphila esikhathini samanje esizodlula ngokushesha. Nokho, lesikhathi samanje siyahamba, siba esidlule ngokuqhubekayo. Akukho ukusimisa.
5. Kungani kungathiwa isikhathi esidlule sizuziwe noma silahlekile?
5 Isikhathi Esidlule. Isikhathi esidlule sesidlulile, siwumlando, futhi asinakuphindwa. Noma yimuphi umzamo wokubuyisa isikhathi esidlule ungongenakwenzeka njengokuzama ukwenza ukuba impophoma yenyuse ummango noma ukuba umcibisholo uphindele emuva emnsalweni owudubulile. Amaphutha ethu ashiye uphawu lwawo ohlelweni lwesikhathi, uphawu olungasuswa uJehova kuphela. (Isaya 43:25) Ngendlela efanayo, izenzo ezinhle zomuntu zesikhathi esidlule ziye zenza umbhalo wazo ogciniwe ‘oyobuyela kuye’ nesibusiso esivela kuJehova. (IzAga 12:14; 13:22) Isikhathi esidlule sizuziwe noma silahlekile. Akusekho ukusilawula. Ngababi kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ngokuba bayakusikwa masinyane njengotshani, babune njengemithana eluhlaza.”—IHu. 37:2.
6. Isikhathi esizayo sihluke kanjani esikhathini esidlule, futhi kungani kumelwe sibe nesithakazelo esikhethekile kuso?
6 Isikhathi Esizayo. Isikhathi esizayo sihlukile. Ngaso sonke isikhathi siza kithi. Ngosizo lweZwi likaNkulunkulu, singazibona izithiyo ezivele kancane ngaphambi kwethu futhi silungiselele ukuhlangabezana nazo. Singazibekela “ingcebo ezulwini.” (Math. 6:20) Lengcebo ngeke ikhukhuleke ohlelweni lwesikhathi. Iyohlala kithi futhi iyoba khona kuze kube sesikhathini esizayo saphakade sesibusiso. Sinesithakazelo ekusetshenzisweni kwesikhathi ngokuhlakanipha, njengoba kuthinta lesosikhathi esizayo.—Efe. 5:15, 16.
7. Yiziphi izinkomba zesikhathi uJehova aye wazilungiselela umuntu?
7 Izinkomba Zesikhathi. Amawashi ethu anamuhla awesandla namakhulu ayizinkomba zesikhathi. Asebenza njengamaruler okulinganisa isikhathi. Ngendlela efanayo uJehova, uMdali, uye wahambisa izinkomba ezinkulu zesikhathi—umhlaba ojikeleza kuyiaxis yawo, inyanga ehamba izungeze umhlaba, kanye nelanga—ukuze umuntu aziswe ngokunembile isikhathi esendaweni ami kuyo emhlabeni. “UNkulunkulu wathi: Makube-khona emkhathini wezulu izinkanyiso ezahlukanisa imini nobusuku, zibe-yizibonakaliso zezinkathi, nezezinsuku, nezeminyaka.” (Gen. 1:14) Kanjalo, njengezinto eziningi ezinezinjongo ezihlobene, lezinto zasezulwini zihamba emijikelezweni yazo ephelele, zilinganisa ngokungapheli nangokungenzi-phutha ukuya ohlangothini olulodwa kwesikhathi.
8. Igama elithi “usuku” lisetshenziswe ngamiphi imiqondo ehlukahlukene eBhayibhelini?
8 Usuku. Igama elithi “usuku” eBhayibhelini lisetshenziswa ngezincazelo eziningana ezihlukahlukene, njengoba nje lisetshenziswa ngokwahlukahlukene ezikhathini zanamuhla. Lapho umhlaba wenza umjikelezo owodwa ophelele kuyiaxis yawo, ulinganisa usuku olulodwa lwamahora angu-24. Ngalomqondo, usuku lwakhiwa imini nobusuku, ingqikithi yamahora angu-24. (Joh. 20:19) Nokho, inkathi yemini ngokwayo, ngokuvamile eyisilinganiso samahora angu-12, nayo ibizwa ngokuthi usuku. “UNkulunkulu wabiza ukukhanya ngokuthi imini; ubumnyama wabubiza ngokuthi ubusuku.” (Gen. 1:5) Lokhu kwenza kuvele igama lesikhathi okuthiwa “ubusuku,” inkathi ngokuvamile eyisilinganiso samahora angu-12 obumnyama. (Eks. 10:13) Omunye umqondo ulapho igama elithi “u(izin)suku” libhekisela enkathini yokuphila komuntu othile ovelele. Ngokwesibonelo, uIsaya wabona umbono wakhe “emihleni [“ezinsukwini,” NW] kaUziya, noJothamu, noAhazi, noHezekiya” (Isaya 1:1), futhi izinsuku zikaNowa nezikaLoti kukhulunywa ngazo njengezingokwesiprofetho. (Luka 17:26-30) Esinye isibonelo sokusetshenziswa ngokuvumelana nesimo noma ngokomfanekiso kwegama elithi “usuku” ukusho kukaPetru ukuthi “kuyo iNkosi usuku lunye lunjengeminyaka eyinkulungwane.” (2 Pet. 3:8) Ekulandiseni kukaGenesise, usuku lokudala luyinkathi yesikhathi ende ngisho nangokwengeziwe—izinkulungwane zeminyaka. (Gen. 2:2, 3; Eks. 20:11) Umongo weBhayibheli uyabonisa ukuthi igama elithi “usuku” lisebenza kumuphi umqondo.
9. (a) Ukuhlukaniswa kosuku lube amahora angu-24 emizuzu engu-60 lilinye kwaqala kanjani? (b) Yiziphi izinkomba zesikhathi okukhulunywe ngazo emiBhalweni yesiHeberu?
9 Ihora. Ukuhlukaniswa kosuku lube amahora angu-24 kuhlehlela emuva eGibithe. Ukuhlukanisa kwethu kwanamuhla ihora libe imizuzu engu-60 kwaqala esifundweni sezibalo saseBabiloni, esasisebenzisa isimiso esasisekelwe esibalweni esingu-60. Akushiwo lutho ngokuhlukanisa ngamahora emiBhalweni yesiHeberu.a Esikhundleni sokuhlukanisa usuku ngamahora athile, imiBhalo yesiHeberu isebenzisa izinkulumo ezinjengezithi “ekuseni,” “emini,” “phakathi nemini,” “kusihlwa” njengezinkomba zesikhathi. (Gen. 24:11; 43:16; Dut. 28:29, NW; 1 AmaKh. 18:26) Ubusuku babuhlukaniswe izinkathi ezintathu ezibizwa ngokuthi ‘imilindo’ (IHu. 63:6), emibili yayo ishiwo ngokuqondile eBhayibhelini: ‘umlindo ophakathi’ (AbAhl. 7:19) ‘nomlindo wokusa.’—Eks. 14:24; 1 Sam. 11:11.
10. AmaJuda ayewabala kanjani amahora ngesikhathi sikaJesu, futhi ukwazi lokhu kusisiza kanjani ukuba sithole isikhathi sokufa kukaJesu?
10 Nokho, kukhulunywa kaningana ‘ngehora’ emiBhalweni YamaKristu YesiGreki. (Joh. 12:23, NW; Math. 20:2-6) Amahora ayebalwa kusukela ekuphumeni kwelanga, noma cishe ngo-6 ekuseni. IBhayibheli likhuluma ‘ngehora lesithathu,’ okungaba cishe u-9 ekuseni. Kukhulunywa ‘ngehora lesithupha’ njengesikhathi lapho iJerusalema lehlelwa khona ubumnyama ekubethelweni kukaJesu. Lokhu kuyohambisana no-12 wethu wasemini. Kuthiwa ukufa kukaJesu esigxotsheni sokuhlushwa kwenzeka “ngehora lesishiyagalolunye,” noma cishe ngo-3 ntambama.—Marku 15:25; Luka 23:44; Math. 27:45, 46.b
11. Kudala kangakanani ukusetshenziswa ‘kwesonto’ njengesilinganiso sesikhathi?
11 Isonto. Kwakusekuqaleni komlando wakhe lapho umuntu aqala khona ukubala izinsuku zakhe ngemijikelezo yeziyisikhombisa. Ngokwenza lokhu, walandela isibonelo soMdali wakhe, owaphetha izinsuku zakhe eziyisithupha zokudala ngenkathi yesikhombisa nayo ebizwa ngokuthi usuku. UNowa wabala izinsuku ngemijikelezo yeziyisikhombisa. NgesiHeberu, elithi “isonto” ngokwezwi nezwi libhekisela enkathini ephindwe kasikhombisa.—Gen. 2:2, 3; 8:10, 12; 29:27.
12. Iyini inyanga enqunywa ngokuthwasa kwenyanga, futhi ihluka kanjani ezinyangeni zethu zonyaka zanamuhla?
12 Izinyanga Ezinqunywa Ngokwethwasa Kwenyanga. IBhayibheli (iNW) likhuluma ‘ngamalunar month.’ (Eks. 2:2; Dut. 21:13; 33:14; Ezra 6:15) Izinyanga zethu zonyaka zanamuhla aziwona amalunar month, ngoba azinqunywa ngenyanga (esesibhakabhakeni). Zimane ziyizigaba ezingu-12 ezingashintsha zonyaka obalwa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga. Ilunar month inyanga enqunywa ngokuthwasa kwenyanga. Kunezigaba ezine zenyanga, ezakha umjikelezo owodwa onesilinganiso sezinsuku ezingu-29, amahora angu-12, nemizuzu engu-44. Umuntu kumelwe amane abheke ukuma kwenyanga ukuze asikisele usuku lwenyanga enqunywa ngokuthwasa kwenyanga.
13. Wagcinwa kanjani umlando onembile kaZamcolo ngokuphathelene nesikhathi?
13 Esikhundleni sokunamathela ekusebenziseni izinyanga ezinqunywa ngokuthwasa kwenyanga, kubonakala sengathi uNowa waloba izenzakalo ngezinyanga ezinezinsuku ezingu-30 iyinye. Ngombhalo uNowa awugcina emkhunjini, siyaqonda ukuthi amanzi kaZamcolo agubuzela umhlaba inkathi yezinyanga eziyisihlanu, noma “izinsuku eziyikhulu namashumi ayisihlanu.” Umhlaba wawusuwomile ngemva kwezinyanga ezingu-12 nezinsuku eziyishumi kangangokuba abasemkhunjini bakwazi ukuphuma. Kanjalo, lezozenzakalo eziqopha umlando zalotshwa ngokunembile ngokwesikhathi.—Gen. 7:11, 24; 8:3, 4, 14-19.
14. (a) UJehova walenza kanjani ilungiselelo lezinkathi zonyaka? (b) Liyoqhubeka isikhathi eside kangakanani ilungiselelo lezinkathi zonyaka?
14 Izinkathi Zonyaka. Lapho elungiselela umhlaba ukuba uhlalwe, uJehova wenza ilungiselelo lokuhlakanipha nelothando lezinkathi zonyaka. (Gen. 1:14) Lezi ziba khona njengomphumela wokutsheka, noma ukuthambeka, komhlaba ngo-23,5 ° endleleni ohamba kuyo uzungeza ilanga. Okokuqala lokhu kuphumela ekutshekeleni kweNingizimu Yenkabazwe ngaselangeni bese, ezinyangeni eziyisithupha kamuva, kuba iNyakatho Yenkabazwe, ukuze izinkathi zonyaka zihambe ngokuhleleka. Lolushintsho lwezinkathi zonyaka lwenza kube nokwahlukahluka nokuphambana futhi lulawula izikhathi zokutshala nokuvuna. IZwi likaNkulunkulu lisiqinisekisa ukuthi lelilungiselelo loshintsho nokuphambana kwezinkathi zonyaka kuwo wonke unyaka liyoqhubeka kuze kube phakade. “Umhlaba usekhona, ukutshala nokuvuna, amakhaza nokufudumala, ihlobo nobusika, imini nobusuku akuyikunqamuka.”—Gen. 8:22.
15, 16. (a) Inkathi yonyaka enezimvula eZweni Lesithembiso ingahlukaniswa kanjani? (b) Chaza izinkathi zonyaka ezinezimvula nokuhlobana kwalezinkathi zonyaka nomsebenzi wezolimo.
15 Unyaka eZweni Lesithembiso ungahlukaniswa ngokuvamile ube yinkathi yemvula nenkathi eyomile. Kusukela cishe phakathi noApril kuya phakathi no-October, kuna imvula encane kakhulu. Inkathi yonyaka yemvula ingahlukaniswa ngokuthi imvula yokuqala, noma “yasekwindla,” (October-November); izimvula ezinkulu zasebusika nesimo sezulu esibandayo (December-February); nemvula yakamuva, noma “yasentwasahlobo,” (March-April). (Dut. 11:14, qhathanisa neNW; Joweli 2:23, qhathanisa neNW.) Lezi zigaba ziwukulinganisa, njengoba izinkathi zonyaka zidlulela kwezinye ngenxa yokwahlukahluka kwesimo sezulu ezingxenyeni ezihlukahlukene zezwe. Imvula yokuqala ithambisa umhlabathi owomile, okwenza uOctober-November abe yisikhathi “sokulima” ‘nesokuhlwanyela imbewu.’ (Eks. 34:21; Lev. 26:5, NW) Phakathi nezimvula ezinkulu zasebusika kusukela ngoDecember kuya kuFebruary, akukhona okungavamile ukuba likhithike, futhi ngoJanuary nangoFebruary, izinga lokushisa lingase lehle lize libe ngaphansi kwezinga amanzi aqina ngalo ezindaweni eziphakeme. IBhayibheli likhuluma ngoBenaya, omunye wamaqhawe kaDavide, njengowabulala ingonyama “ngosuku lweqhwa.”—2 Sam. 23:20.
16 Inyanga kaMarch neka-April (cishe inyanga yesiHeberu kaNisani nekaIyyar) ziyizinyanga ‘zemvula yasentwasahlobo.’ (Zak. 10:1, NW) Lena imvula yakamuva, edingekayo ukuze okusanhlamvu okutshalwe ekwindla kukhukhumale, bese kuphumela esivunweni esihle. (Hos. 6:3; Jak. 5:7) Lena futhi inkathi yonyaka yesivuno sokuqala, futhi uNkulunkulu wayala uIsrayeli ukuba anikele ngolibo lwesivuno ngoNisani 16. (Lev. 23:10; Ruthe 1:22) Yisikhathi sobuhle nokujabula. “Izimbali ziyabonakala emhlabeni, nesikhathi sokuthena imivini sesisondele, nezwi lehobhe liyezwakala ezweni lakithi. Umkhiwane uthela amakhiwane awo aluhlaza, imivini inezimbali, ithaphuka iphunga layo.”—IsiHlab. 2:12, 13.
17. (a) Izilimo zisekelwa kanjani phakathi nenkathi yonyaka eyomile? (b) Bheka ishadi elithi “Unyaka WamaIsrayeli” bese uhlukanisa unyaka ngokwezinkathi zonyaka njengoba kuxoxwe ngazo ezigabeni 15-17. (c) Sasinini isivuno sokuqala, isivuno sokusanhlamvu, nesikhathi okwakubuthwa ngaso zonke izithelo, futhi yimiphi imikhosi eyayihambisana nalezenzakalo?
17 Cishe phakathi noApril kuqala inkathi eyomile, kodwa cishe phakathi nayo yonke lenkathi, futhi ikakhulukazi emathafeni asogwini nasemithambekeni yezintaba esentshonalanga, amazolo amaningi ondla izilimo zasehlobo. (Dut. 33:28) Phakathi noMay, okusanhlamvu kuyavunwa, futhi kwakusekupheleni kwalenyanga lapho kwakugujwa khona uMkhosi Wamasonto (wePentekoste). (Lev. 23:15-21) Khona-ke, njengoba isimo sezulu siya sifudumala futhi umhlabathi uya woma, amagilebhisi ayavuthwa emivinini futhi ayavunwa, alandelwe ezinye izithelo zasehlobo, njengeminqumo, amasundu, namakhiwane. (2 Sam. 16:1) Lapho kuphela inkathi yonyaka eyomile futhi kuqala izimvula zokuqala, kusuke sekuvunwe wonke umkhiqizo wezwe, futhi ilesosikhathi (cishe ekuqaleni kukaOctober) okwakwenziwa ngaso uMkhosi Wamadokodo, noma wamaTabernakele.—Eks. 23:16; Lev. 23:39-43.
18. (a) Kungani incazelo yegama lesiHeberu elisho “unyaka” ifanelekile? (b) Uyini unyaka wangempela onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga ngokuphathelene nomhlaba?
18 Unyaka. Ukufunda kwethu ngesikhathi eBhayibhelini manje kusiletha egameni elithi “unyaka.” Kukhulunywa ngawo kusukela ekuqaleni nje komlando womuntu. (Gen. 1:14) Igama lesiHeberu elisho “unyaka,” sha·nahʹ, livela encazelweni engumsuka esho ukuthi “phinda; enza futhi” futhi liqukethe umqondo wesiyingi sesikhathi esithile. Lokhu kwakufanelekile, njengoba unyaka ngamunye kwakuphindwa isiyingi sezinkathi zonyaka. Unyaka wasemhlabeni uyisikhathi umhlaba osithathayo ukuba wenze umjikelezo, noma uhambo olulodwa, oluphelele, uzungeza ilanga. Isikhathi esingokoqobo thina esisithathayo emhlabeni ukuba siqede loluhambo siyizinsuku ezingu-365, amahora angu-5, imizuzu engu-48 nemizuzwana engu-46, noma cishe izinsuku ezingu-365 1/4. Lokhu kubizwa ngokuthi unyaka wangempela onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga.
19. (a) Yayibalwa kanjani iminyaka yeBhayibheli yasendulo? (b) Yimuphi “unyaka ongcwele” uJehova awumemezela kamuva?
19 Iminyaka YeBhayibheli. Ngokokubala kweBhayibheli kwasendulo, unyaka wawuqala ekwindla uphele ekwindla. Lokhu kwakufaneleka ikakhulukazi kwezolimo, njengoba unyaka wawuqala ngokulima nokuhlwanyela, ngasengxenyeni yokuqala yenyanga yethu kaOctober, futhi uphele ngokubuthwa kwesivuno. UNowa wabala unyaka njengowawuqala ekwindla. Waloba ngoZamcolo njengowaqala “ngenyanga yesibili,” okwakuzohambisana nengxenye yesibili kaOctober nengxenye yokuqala kaNovember. (Gen. 7:11, umbhalo waphansi weNW.) Kuze kube namuhla, abantu abaningi emhlabeni basaqala unyaka wabo omusha ekwindla. Ngesikhathi soFuduko eGibithe, ngo-1513 B.C.E., uJehova wamemezela ukuthi uAbibi (uNisani) kumelwe abe “inhloko yezinyanga” kumaJuda, okwakwenza ukuba manje abe nonyaka ongcwele, osukela entwasahlobo uye entwasahlobo. (Eks. 12:2) Nokho, amaJuda osuku lwethu agcina unyaka wezwe, noma ongokomthetho, oqala ekwindla, onoTishri njengenyanga yokuqala.
20. Unyaka onqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga wawulungiswa kanjani ukuba uvumelane nonyaka onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga, futhi iyini iminyaka enqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga nangokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga?
20 Unyaka Onqunywa Ngezinyanga Zokuthwasa Kwenyanga Nangokuzungeza Komhlaba Ilanga. Kuze kube yisikhathi sikaKristu, izizwe eziningi zazisebenzisa iminyaka enqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga ekubaleni isikhathi, zisebenzisa izindlela ezihlukahlukene zokulungisa unyaka ukuze uvumelane ngandlela-thile nonyaka onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga. Unyaka ovamile onqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga onezinyanga ezingu-12 ezinqunywa ngokuthwasa kwenyanga unezinsuku ezingu-354, futhi izinyanga zinezinsuku ezingu-29 noma ezingu-30, kuye ngokuthwasa kwenyanga ngayinye. Ngakho-ke unyaka onqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga usilela ngezinsuku ezingu-11 1/4 onyakeni wangempela onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga wezinsuku ezingu-365 1/4. AmaHeberu ayelandela unyaka onqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga. Ukuthi ayewulungisa kanjani lonyaka ukuba uvumelane nonyaka onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga nezinkathi zonyaka akuchazwiwe eBhayibhelini, kodwa kumelwe ukuthi ayenezela noma ajobelele ezinye izinyanga uma kudingekile. Ilungiselelo lezinyanga ezijotshelelwayo lahlelwa kamuva ekhulwini lesihlanu B.C.E. laba yilokho manje okwaziwa ngokuthi isiyingi sikaMeton. Lokhu kwavumela ukuba inyanga ejotshelelwayo inezelwe izikhathi eziyisikhombisa njalo eminyakeni engu-19, futhi ekhalendeni lamaJuda, yayinezelwa ngemva kwenyanga ye-12, uAdari, futhi yayibizwa ngokuthi uVeadar, noma “uAdari wesibili.” Njengoba ikhalenda lezinyanga ezinqunywa ngokuthwasa kwenyanga lalilungiswa ngaleyondlela ukuba lihambisane nelanga, iminyaka, eyenziwa izinyanga ezingu-12 noma ezingu-13, yaziwa ngokuthi iminyaka enqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga nangokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga.
21. (a) Liyini ikhalenda likaJulius? (b) Kungani ikhalenda likaGregory linemba ngokwengeziwe?
21 Ikhalenda LikaJulius NelikaGregory. Ikhalenda liyisimiso sokuhlela ukuqala konyaka, ubude bawo, nezigaba zawo nokuhlela lezigaba ngokulandelana. Ikhalenda likaJulius laqanjwa uJulius Caesar ngo-46 B.C.E., ukuze kunikezwe abantu baseRoma uhlelo lwesikhathi sonyaka onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga esikhundleni sonyaka onqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga. Ikhalenda likaJulius linezinsuku ezingu-365 onyakeni, ngaphandle kokuthi njalo ngonyaka wesine (onoFebruary obhansayo), kunezelwa usuku olulodwa, kwenze izinsuku ezingu-366. Nokho, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, kwatholakala ukuthi ikhalenda lonyaka likaJulius eqinisweni lide ngemizuzu engaphezulu kancane nje kwengu-11 kunonyaka wangempela onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga. Ngekhulu le-16 leminyaka C.E., kwase kunomehluko wezinsuku eziyishumi ezigcwele. Ngakho, ngo-1582, uPapa Gregory XIII wenza ukubukeza okuncane, esungula lokho manje okwaziwa ngokuthi ikhalenda likaGregory. Ngokomthetho kapapa kweqiwa izinsuku eziyishumi kusukela ngonyaka ka-1582, okwenza ukuba usuku olulandela uOctober 4 lwaba uOctober 15. Ikhalenda likaGregory lithi amakhulu eminyaka angahlukaniseki ngo-400 akumelwe abhekwe njengeminyaka enoFebruary obhansayo. Ngokwesibonelo, ngokungafani nonyaka ka-2000 unyaka ka-1900 awuzange wenziwe unyaka onoFebruary obhansayo ngoba isibalo u-1 900 asihlukaniseki ngo-400. Ikhalenda likaGregory yilo manje elisetshenziswa ngokuvamile ezingxenyeni eziningi zomhlaba.
22, 23. Mude kangakanani unyaka ongokwesiprofetho?
22 “Unyaka” Ongokwesiprofetho. Esiprofethweni seBhayibheli igama elithi “unyaka” ngokuvamile lisetshenziswa ngomqondo okhethekile njengolingana nezinyanga ezingu-12, inyanga ngayinye inezinsuku ezingu-30, kube ingqikithi yezinsuku ezingu-360. Phawula lokho esinye isazi esikushoyo lapho sikhulumela uHezekeli 4:5, 6: “Kumelwe sithathe ngokuthi uHezekeli wayazi unyaka wezinsuku ezingu-360. Lona akuwona unyaka wangempela onqunywa ngokuzungeza komhlaba ilanga futhi akuwona unyaka onqunywa ngezinyanga zokuthwasa kwenyanga. Uwunyaka ‘oyisilinganiso’ onyanga yawo ngayinye inezinsuku ezingu-30.”c
23 Unyaka ongokwesiprofetho ubizwa futhi ngokuthi “isikhathi,” futhi ukutadisha isAmbulo 11:2, 3 no-12:6, 14 kwembula indlela “isikhathi” esisodwa esibalwa ngayo njengezinsuku ezingu-360. Ngezinye izikhathi futhi esiprofethweni unyaka umelelwa ngokomfanekiso ‘usuku.’—Hez. 4:5, 6.
24. Abantu abaningi bakudala bakuqala kanjani ukubala kwabo?
24 Awukho Unyaka Oyiguncu. Abantu basendulo, kuhlanganise namaGreki afundile, amaRoma, namaJuda, babengenawo umqondo weguncu. Kubo, yonke into yayiqala kumuvo ukubala. Ngesikhathi ufunda izinombolo zesiRoma esikoleni (I, II, III, IV, V, X, njll.), wafunda yini ngenombolo emelela iguncu? Cha, ngoba amaRoma ayengenayo. Njengoba amaRoma ayengayisebenzisi inombolo eyiguncu, iSikhathi Esivamile asiqalanga ngonyaka oyiguncu, kodwa ngo-1 C.E. Lokhu futhi kwenza kwaba nohlelo lwezinombolo eziphawula ukuthi okwesingaki, njengokuthi okokuqala (1st), okwesibili (2nd), okwesithathu (3rd), okweshumi (10th), nokwekhulu (100th). Esifundweni sezibalo zanamuhla, umuntu ubheka yonke into njengeqala kokungekho, noma eguncwini. Ngokunokwenzeka iguncu laqanjwa amaHindu.
25. Izinombolo eziphawula ukuthi okwesingaki zihluka kanjani ezinombolweni ezibalula inani?
25 Kanjalo kusho ukuthi noma nini lapho kusetshenziswa izinombolo eziphawula ukuthi okwesingaki, kumelwe ngaso sonke isikhathi sisuse umuvo ukuze sithole isibalo esigcwele. Ngokwesibonelo, lapho sikhuluma ngosuku oluthile ekhulwini lama-20 leminyaka C.E., ingabe kusho ukuthi kuye kwaba namakhulu eminyaka agcwele angama-20? Cha, kusho amakhulu eminyaka agcwele angu-19 kanye neminyaka ethile. Ukuze liveze izinombolo ezigcwele, iBhayibheli, kanye nesifundo sezibalo zanamuhla, kusebenzisa izinombolo ezibalula inani, njengo-1, 2, 3, 10, no-100. Lezi zibizwa futhi ngokuthi “izinombolo eziphelele.”
26. Ubungayibala kanjani (a) iminyaka esukela kuOctober 1, 607 B.C.E., kuya kuOctober 1, 1914 C.E.? (b) iminyaka engu-2 520 kusukela kuOctober 1, 607 B.C.E.?
26 Manje, njengoba iSikhathi Esivamile singaqalanga ngonyaka oyiguncu kodwa saqala ngo-1 C.E., futhi ikhalenda leminyaka yangaphambi kweSikhathi Esivamile lingazange libale lihlehle kusukela eguncwini kodwa laqala ngo-1 B.C.E., isibalo esisetshenziselwa unyaka nganoma yiluphi usuku eqinisweni siyinombolo ephawula ukuthi unyaka wesingaki. Lokho kusho ukuthi, u-1990 C.E. eqinisweni umelela iminyaka egcwele engu-1 989 kusukela ekuqaleni kweSikhathi Esivamile, futhi usuku olunguJuly 1, 1990, lumelela iminyaka engu-1 989 kanye nengxenye yonyaka kusukela ekuqaleni kweSikhathi Esivamile. Kusebenza isimiso esifanayo ezinsukwini zango-B.C.E. Ngakho ukuze uthole ukuthi mingaki iminyaka eyadlula phakathi kukaOctober 1, 607 B.C.E., no-October 1, 1914 C.E., hlanganisa iminyaka engu-606 (kanye nezinyanga zokugcina ezintathu zonyaka owandulelayo) no-1 913 (kanye nezinyanga zokuqala eziyisishiyagalolunye zonyaka olandelayo), umphumela kuzoba u-2 519 (kanye nezinyanga ezingu-12), noma iminyaka engu-2 520. Noma uma ufuna ukuthola ukuthi iminyaka engu-2 520 yayiyoba ngaluphi usuku ngemva kukaOctober 1, 607 B.C.E., khumbula ukuthi u-607 uyinombolo ephawula ukuthi okwesingaki—eqinisweni umelela iminyaka engu-606 egcwele—futhi njengoba singabali kusukela kuDecember 31, 607 B.C.E., kodwa kusukela kuOctober 1, 607 B.C.E., kumelwe sinezele ku-606 izinyanga ezintathu ezisekupheleni kuka-607 B.C.E. Manje susa u-606 1/4 eminyakeni engu-2 520. Kusala u-1 913 3/4. Lokho kusho ukuthi iminyaka engu-2 520 kusukela kuOctober 1, 607 B.C.E., isiyisa eminyakeni engu-1 913 3/4 yeSikhathi Esivamile—iminyaka egcwele engu-1 913 isiletha ekuqaleni kuka-1914 C.E., futhi ukunezela izingxenye zonyaka ezintathu kwezine kusiletha kuOctober 1, 1914 C.E.d
27. Ziyini izinsuku ezibalulekile, futhi kungani zibaluleke kakhulu?
27 Izinsuku Ezibaluleke Kakhulu. Ukulandelana kwezikhathi zezenzakalo zeBhayibheli okunokwethenjelwa kusekelwe ezinsukwini ezithile ezibalulekile. Usuku olubalulekile usuku lwekhalenda emlandweni olunesisekelo esinengqondo sokuba lwamukeleke futhi oluvumelana nesenzakalo esithile esilotshwe eBhayibhelini. Khona-ke lungasetshenziswa njengesiqalo uchungechunge lwezenzakalo zeBhayibheli olungatholakala ngaso ngokuqiniseka ekhalendeni. Uma lesisikhathi esibalulekile sesitholakele, kungabalwa kuyiwa phambili noma emuva kusukelwa kulolusuku kuthathelwa emibhalweni egciniwe enembile eseBhayibhelini ngokwalo, njengesikhathi sokuphila kwabantu esiphawuliwe noma isikhathi sokubusa kwamakhosi. Kanjalo, siqala endaweni ethile ephawuliwe, singasebenzisa ukulandelana okunokwethenjelwa kwezikhathi zezenzakalo zeBhayibheli ngokwalo ekutholeni izinsuku zezenzakalo eziningi zeBhayibheli.
28. Yiluphi usuku olubalulekile olunikezwe emiBhalweni yesiHeberu?
28 Usuku Olubalulekile LwemiBhalo YesiHeberu. Isenzakalo esivelele esilotshwe kokubili eBhayibhelini nasemlandweni wezwe ukugumbuqelwa komuzi waseBabiloni amaMede namaPheresiya ngaphansi kukaKoresi. IBhayibheli linalesenzakalo kuDaniyeli 5:30. Imithombo ehlukahlukene yezomlando (kuhlanganise noDiodorus, uAfricanus, uEusebius, uPtolemy, nezibhebhe zaseBabiloni) isekela u-539 B.C.E. njengonyaka wokugumbuqela kukaKoresi iBabiloni. UMlando KaNabonidasi unikeza inyanga nosuku lokuwa komuzi (unyaka awushiwongo). Ngaleyondlela izazi zezwe zokulandelana kwezikhathi zezenzakalo ziye zabeka usuku lokuwa kweBabiloni kuOctober 11, 539 B.C.E., ngokwekhalenda likaJulius, noma kuOctober 5 ngokwekhalenda likaGregory.e
29. Sakhishwa nini isimemezelo sikaKoresi, kwavumela ithuba lani?
29 Ngemva kokugumbuqelwa kweBabiloni, naphakathi nonyaka wakhe wokuqala engumbusi waseBabiloni elinqotshiwe, uKoresi wakhipha isimemezelo sakhe esidumile esivumela amaJuda ukuba abuyele eJerusalema. Ngokucabangela ukulandisa kweBhayibheli, ngokunokwenzeka lesimemezelo sakhishwa ngasekupheleni kuka-538 B.C.E. noma ngasentwasahlobo ka-537 B.C.E. Lokhu kwakuyonikeza amaJuda ithuba elanele lokuba aphinde akhe indawo yawo yawoyise futhi akhuphukele eJerusalema eyobuyisela ukukhulekelwa kukaJehova ‘ngenyanga yesikhombisa,’ uTishri, noma cishe ngo-October 1, 537 B.C.E.—Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-6.f
30. Usuku olubalulekile kanye nesiprofetho esigcwalisekile kusiveza kanjani isikhathi sokubhapathizwa kukaJesu, nesokuzalwa kwakhe?
30 Usuku Olubalulekile LwemiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki. Usuku olubalulekile lwemiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki lutholakala ngosuku uTiberiyu Kesari alandela ngalo uMbusi uAwugustu esikhundleni. UAwugustu wafa ngoAugust 17, 14 C.E. (ngokwekhalenda likaGregory); uTiberiyu wamiswa njengombusi iSigele SamaRoma ngoSeptember 15, 14 C.E. KuLuka 3:1, 3 kuthiwa uJohane uMbhapathizi waqalisa inkonzo yakhe ngonyaka we-15 wokubusa kukaTiberiyu. Uma iminyaka yabalwa kusukela ekufeni kuka-Awugustu, khona-ke unyaka we-15 wasukela kuAugust ka-28 C.E. kuya kuAugust ka-29 C.E. Uma yabalwa kusukela lapho iSigele simisa uTiberiyu njengombusi, unyaka wasukela kuSeptember ka-28 C.E. uya kuSeptember ka-29 C.E. Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokhu, uJesu, owayemncane cishe ngezinyanga eziyisithupha kunoJohane uMbhapathizi, weza ukuba abhapathizwe, lapho “eneminyaka engaba-ngamashumi amathathu.” (Luka 3:2, 21-23; 1:34-38) Lokhu kuyavumelana nesiprofetho esikuDaniyeli 9:25 sokuthi “amasonto” angu-69 (amasonto angokwesiprofetho ayiminyaka engu-7 lilinye, ngaleyondlela kwenze iminyaka engu-483) ayeyodlula kusukela “ekuphumeni kwezwi lokubuyisa nokwakha iJerusalema” nogange lwalo kuze kube sekubonakaleni kukaMesiya. (Dan. 9:24, umbhalo waphansi weNW.) ‘Lelozwi’ lagunyazwa uAritahishashita (uLongimanus) ngo-455 B.C.E. futhi lafezwa uNehemiya eJerusalema engxenyeni yokugcina yalowonyaka. Futhi eminyakeni engu-483 kamuva, engxenyeni yokugcina ka-29 C.E. lapho ebhapathizwa nguJohane, uJesu wagcotshwa futhi ngomoya ongcwele ovela kuNkulunkulu, ngaleyondlela eba uMesiya, noma Ogcotshiweyo. Ukuthi uJesu wabhapathizwa futhi waqalisa inkonzo yakhe engxenyeni yokugcina yonyaka kuyavumelana futhi nesiprofetho sokuthi wayeyonqunywa “phakathi kwesonto” eliyiminyaka (noma ngemva kweminyaka emithathu nengxenye). (Dan. 9:27) Njengoba afa entwasahlobo, inkonzo yakhe yeminyaka emithathu nengxenye kumelwe ukuba yaqala ngasekwindla ka-29 C.E.g Ngokuzenzekelayo, lezinhlobo ezimbili zobufakazi zibonisa futhi ukuthi uJesu wazalwa ekwindla ka-2 B.C.E., njengoba uLuka 3:23 ebonisa ukuthi uJesu wayeneminyaka engaba ngu-30 ubudala lapho eqala umsebenzi wakhe.h
31. (a) Kungani ijubane lokudlula kwesikhathi libonakala lihlukahluka? (b) Ngakho-ke intsha inaliphi ithuba elihle?
31 Indlela Isikhathi Esihamba Ngokushesha Ngayo. Kunesisho esidala sesiNgisi esithi “igedlela elilindiwe alibili.” Kuyiqiniso ukuthi uma sisilindile isikhathi, uma sisiqaphela, uma silinde ukuba okuthile kwenzeke, khona-ke kubonakala sengathi sihamba kancane kakhulu. Nokho, uma simatasa, uma sinesithakazelo kwesikwenzayo futhi sithathekile yikho, khona-ke ngempela kubonakala sengathi “isikhathi siyandiza.” Ngaphezu kwalokho, kubantu abadala isikhathi sibonakala sidlula ngokushesha kakhulu kunasentsheni. Kungani kunjalo? Unyaka owodwa onezelwayo ekuphileni komntwana ononyaka owodwa ubudala usho ukwanda ngamaphesenti ayikhulu kokuhlangenwe nakho kokuphila. Unyaka owodwa onezelwayo ekuphileni komuntu oneminyaka engu-50 ubudala usho ukwanda ngamaphesenti amabili nje kuphela. Emntwaneni, unyaka ubonakala uyisikhathi eside, eside kakhulu. Umuntu omdala, uma ematasa futhi enempilo enhle, uthola ukuthi iminyaka ibonakala indiza ngejubane elengeziwe. Ufinyelela ukuwaqonda ngokujule kakhudlwana amazwi kaSolomoni: “Akukho okusha phansi kwelanga.” Ngakolunye uhlangothi, intsha isenayo iminyaka ebonakala sengathi ihamba kancane, iminyaka yokukhula. Esikhundleni ‘sokufuna umoya’ ezweni elithanda izinto ezibonakalayo, ingasebenzisa leminyaka ngokunenzuzo ekuqongeleleni ingcebo yolwazi lokwesaba uNkulunkulu. Afiké ngesikhathi amanye amazwi kaSolomoni: “Futhi khumbula uMdali wakho emihleni yobusha bakho, zingakafiki izinsuku ezimbi, ingakasondeli iminyaka osho ngayo ukuthi: Angithokozi ngayo.”—UmSh. 1:9, 14; 12:1.
32. Abantu bangawuqonda kanjani ngokugcwele ngokwengeziwe umbono kaJehova ngesikhathi?
32 Isikhathi—Lapho Abantu Bephila Phakade. Nokho, kunezinsuku ezijabulisayo ngaphambili ezingeke zibe zimbi nakancane. Abathandi bokulunga, ‘abazikhathi zabo zisesandleni sikaJehova,’ bangabheka phambili ekuphileni okuphakade endaweni yoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. (IHu. 31:14-16, qhathanisa neNW; Math. 25:34, 36) Ngaphansi koMbuso, ukufa akusayikuba-khona. (IsAm. 21:4) Ubuvila, ukugula, isizungu, nobuze kuyobe sekunyamalele. Kuyoba nomsebenzi wokwenziwa, omnandi nojabulisayo, odinga ukubonakaliswa kwamakhono omuntu aphelele noletha ukwaneliseka okukhulu ngokufezwayo. Iminyaka iyobonakala ihamba ngokushesha ngokwengeziwe, futhi izingqondo ezinokwazisa nezinenkumbulo enhle ziyocetshiswa njalo ngezinkumbulo zezenzakalo ezijabulisayo. Njengoba izinkulungwane zeminyaka zidlula, ngokungangabazeki abantu kulomhlaba bayowuqonda ngokugcwele ngokwengeziwe umbono kaJehova ngesikhathi: ‘Ngokuba iminyaka eyinkulungwane emehlweni kaJehova injengezolo selidlulile.’—IHu. 90:4.
33. Ngokuphathelene nesikhathi, yisiphi isibusiso uJehova aye wasiyaleza?
33 Ngokubheka ukudlula kwesikhathi ngombono wethu wobuntu wamanje nokucabangela isithembiso sikaNkulunkulu sezwe elisha lokulunga, yeka indlela ezijabulisa ngayo izibusiso esizilindele zalolosuku: “Ngokuba uJehova wayaleza khona isibusiso, yebo, ukuphila kuze kube-phakade”!—IHu. 133:3.
[Imibhalo yaphansi]
a Igama elithi “ihora” liyatholakala kuyiKing James Version kuDaniyeli 3:6, 15; 4:19, 33; 5:5, lisuselwa olimini lwesiAramu; nokho, iConcordance, Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary kaStrong, inikeza incazelo yegama njengelisho “ukuthi klábe ngeso, okungukuthi umzuzwana.” Lihunyushwe ngokuthi “umzuzwana” kuyiNew World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
b Bheka imibhalo yaphansi yalemibhalo kuyiNW.
c Biblical Calendars, 1961, kaJ. Van Goudoever, ikhasi 75.
d Insight on the Scriptures, Umq. 1, ikhasi 458.
e Insight on the Scriptures, Umq. 1, amakhasi 453-4, 458; Umq. 2, ikhasi 459.
f Insight on the Scriptures, Umq. 1, ikhasi 568.
g Insight on the Scriptures, Umq. 2, amakhasi 899-902.
h Insight on the Scriptures, Umq. 2, amakhasi 56-8.
[Ishadi ekhasini 281]
UNYAKA WAMAISRAYELI
Igama Lenyanga Nisani (Abibi)
Ivumelana No- March - April
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yokuqala
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yesi-7
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Eks. 13:4; Neh. 2:1
Imikhosi Nisani 14 IPhasika
Nisani 15-21 Umkhosi Wezinkwa Ezingenamvubelo
Nisani 16 Ukunikelwa Kolibo
Igama Lenyanga Iyyar (Zivi)
Ivumelana No- April - May
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yesibili
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yesi-8
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe 1 AmaKh. 6:1
Igama Lenyanga Sivanu
Ivumelana No- May - June
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yesithathu
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yesi-9
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Est. 8:9
Imikhosi Sivanu 6 Umkhosi Wamasonto (iPentekoste)
Igama Lenyanga Tammuz
Ivumelana No- June - July
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yesine
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga ye-10
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Jer. 52:6
Igama Lenyanga Ab
Ivumelana No- July - August
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yesihlanu
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga ye-11
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Ezra 7:8
Igama Lenyanga Eluli
Ivumelana No- August - September
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yesi-6
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga ye-12
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Neh. 6:15
Igama Lenyanga Tishri (Ethanim)
Ivumelana No- September - October
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yesi-7
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yokuqala
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe 1 AmaKh. 8:2
Imikhosi Tishri 1 Usuku lokukhala kwamacilongo
Tishri 10 USuku Lokubuyisana
Tishri 15-21 Umkhosi Wamadokodo
Tishri 22 Umhlangano ozothileyo
Igama Lenyanga Heshvan (Buli)
Ivumelana No- October - November
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yesi-8
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yesibili
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe 1 AmaKh. 6:38
Igama Lenyanga Khisilevi
Ivumelana No- November - December
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga yesi-9
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yesithathu
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Neh. 1:1
Igama Lenyanga Thebeti
Ivumelana No- December - January
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga ye-10
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yesine
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Est. 2:16
Igama Lenyanga Shebati
Ivumelana No- January - February
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga ye-11
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yesihlanu
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Zak. 1:7
Igama Lenyanga Adari
Ivumelana No- February - March
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga ye-12
Unyaka Wezwe Inyanga yesi-6
Imibhalo Ekhonjiwe Est. 3:7
Igama Lenyanga Veadar
Ivumelana No- (Inyanga ejotshelelwayo)
Unyaka Ongcwele Inyanga ye-13