A Legal Complaint
Late 7th Century BCE
Legal complaint on ostracon, Metsad Hashaviahu, Israel, from the late 7th century BCE. A worker states that a superior took his garment despite the laborer having fulfilled his work requirements. Biblical law places restrictions on taking garments as pledges, but Amos 2:8 describes violations in practice. Exodus and Deuteronomy warn against such mistreatment of debtors, stating that God will hear their cries. The text of this complaint can be read here.
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