The Jewish garrison of Elephantine · a new plain-English translation from the Aramaic
Date| 28 Paophi, year 2 of King Xerxes
1| On the 28th of the month Paophi, year 2 of Xerxes the [ki]n[g, in Elephantine the fortress, said Hoshea
2| son of Hodaviah and Ahiab son of Gemariah to Es[pemet son of Peftuauneith the boatman
3| of] Hanani the carpenter, saying: You have given into our hands bar[ley
4| 8 (the first 3 doubtful), and lentils, 11 ardabs; for {b}[arle]y, ardabs [44
5| total of barley and lentils mixed, ardabs 54 (doubtful) [+ 1
6| {sh.} 10 (doubtful) {of} [me]n of the century of Bethel-taqum, 11; {to}[tal 5 ardabs as rations
7| men 2, to each man 1: barley, ardabs 2; g. 2 (doubtful) {m}[en 11
8| of] the century of Nabushalu, men 2, for barley ardabs [5
9| and our heart is satisfied with it. We will carry [this] grain [that you gave into our hands
10| to this garr]ison of the century of Bethel-taqum and of the {c}[entury of Nabushalu, who
11| are written in this document. We will render ac{c}[ount before the chief of the century and the officials
12| of the king's house, and before the scribes of the treasury they shall gi[ve the grain that you gave
13| into our hands to carry to these men who are written [above. And if we do not hand over all the grain that
14| is yours in full count at the king's house and before the scribes of the tr[easury,
15| we shall owe you silver, 100 karsh, silver {p}[ure
16| of the god. And you have power over the rations that are from the king's house [and over a house of bricks and all that
17| is ours; you have power to seize, until you are paid in full in grain [that is written above, and no suit.
18| Hoshea wrote at the dictation of Ahiab.
19| Witnesses: Kia son of Askishu; Nushku-idri son of {N}[abun
20| Dukkal son of Abihu; Shuri son of Kaddu; Atar-idri son of […]
21| A{s}odat son of Jehonathan; Shabbethai son of Nabda.
22| (Endorsement) [The document that] Hoshea and A[hiab] wrote for Espe[met
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