Arad Letter (Order Concerning Rations)
Late 7th–Early 6th Century BCE
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Letters and Communication from the Biblical World
Ancient Israelite messengers carried oral and written communications between people for both personal and official purposes.
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An Order Concerning a Jar of Oil
(Obverse) To Nahum, [and] now: go to the house of Elyashib son of Ishiyahu and you shall take from there 1 jar of oil and send to Ziph quickly, and seal it with your seal.
(Reverse) On the 24th of the…
An Order Concerning Supplies and a Reference to the Temple of YHWH
To my lord Elyashib: May YHWH seek your welfare! And now, give to Shemaryahu an x-measure and to the Kerosite give a y-measure. And as for the matter which you commanded me, it is well. He (it?) is…
Greetings and Other Matters
Your son, Yehukal, sends his blessings for the welfare of Gedalyahu son of Elyair and for the welfare of your house. I bless you to YHWH. And now, behold my lord has done [ . . . ] May YHWH recompense…
Military Orders
(Obverse) To [ . . . ] Elyashib [ . . . ] king [ . . . ] the force of [ . . . ] silv[er . . . ] produce(?) [ . . . ] (remainder of obverse is erased)
(Reverse) From Arad 50(?) and from Kinah [ . . . ]…
About a Conflict with Edom
Your son(s) Gemaryahu and Nehemyahu sent concerning the welfare of Malkiyahu.
I bless you to YHWH. And now: Your [ser]vant has inclined his [he]art to what [you] sa[id, and I have written] to my lord…
A Message from the King
I reign in a[ll (Judah (or: the land)]
Muster strength and [ . . . ]
the king of Egypt to [ . . . ]
Translated by Anson F. Rainey from Shmuel Aḥituv’s Hebrew edition.