The Jewish garrison of Elephantine · a new plain-English translation from the Aramaic
Date| 7 Kislev, that is day 4 of Thoth, year 9 of King Artaxerxes
1| On 7 Kislev, that is day 4 of the month Thoth, year 9 of Artaxerxes
2| the king, Jehohen daughter of Meshullak, a woman of Elephantine the fortress, said to Meshullam son of
3| Zaccur, a Jew of Elephantine the fortress, as follows: You have given me a loan of silver, shekels
4| 4, that is four, by the king's weights, at interest. It shall increase against me
5| at silver 2 hallurs to 1 shekel for 1 month, which comes to silver 8 hallurs
6| for one month. If the interest {reaches} the capital, the interest shall bear interest like the capital,
7| the one like the other. And if a second year comes and I have not paid you your silver
8| and its interest that is written in this document, you, Meshullam, and your children are entitled
9| to take for yourself any pledge that you find of mine: a house of bricks, silver and gold,
10| bronze and iron, male slave and female slave, barley, emmer, and any food that you find of mine,
11| until you are paid in full your silver and its interest. And I shall not be able to say to you, 'I have paid you
12| your silver and its interest,' while this document is in your hand. Nor shall I be able to complain
13| against you before prefect or judge, saying, 'You took a pledge from me,' while this document
14| is in your hand. And if I die and have not paid you this silver and its interest,
15| my children shall pay you this silver and its interest. And if
16| they do not pay you this silver and its interest, you, Meshullam, have the right
17| to take for yourself any food and pledge that you find of theirs, until you are paid in full
18| your silver and its interest. And they shall not be able to complain against you before prefect
19| or judge, with this document in your hand. Even should they go to court, they will not prevail,
20| while this document is in your hand. Nathan son of Anani wrote this document
21| at the dictation of Jehohen. And the witnesses hereto: witness Hosea son of Galgul;
22| Hodaviah son of Gedaliah; Ahio son of Pelatiah; Agur son of Ahio.
23| (Endorsement) This document of silver that Jehohen daughter of Meshullak wrote
24| (Endorsement) for Meshullam son of Zac[cur].
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