Bar Kokhba Letters

P. Yadin 49

From Shim‘on, son of Kosiba’ to the men of ‘Ein Gedi; to Mesabala’ and Yehonathan, son of Ba‘yan: Peace! In good (circumstances) you are dwell[i]‌ing; eating and drinking of the property of the House of Israel, but showing no concern for your brothers in any manner. And (as regards) the boat(s) which they have inspected at your place—you have not done anything at all. However, be informed that your case is (under consideration) by me. And regarding the fruit that is with you—you are to handle them carefully, and you are to bale them quickly from off the boat that is with you, and (which is) at the port. You are to . . . (= provide necessities for) your brothers (who are) at the por[t (or: in the cam[p), . . .] . . . [ . . . ] their young ch[il]dren and . . . [ . . . ] . . . [ . . . ] The matter that you (or: that I will give) . . . [. . . [ . . . ] . . . [. . . (= I)] command. And let him enter (or: let him guarantee) . . . [ . . . ] . . . [ . . . ] that I will instruct them . . . [ . . . ] . . . [ . . . ] to any direction/side. Be well!

[ . . . ] . . . [. . . .]

P. Yadin 50

Shim‘on, son of Kosibah, to Yehonathan, son of Ba‘yan, and to Mesabalah, son of Shim‘on:

You are to deliver to me ’El‘azar, son of ḤṬH, immediately, before the sabbath. And exercise care with his products, and the remainder of all of his fruit. And whoever raises a clamor against you on this sort of matter, dispatch him to my side, and I will exact punishment. And (as regards) the cattle—they must not destroy the trees. And should anyone raise a clamor—punishment will be exacted from you, in great (measure). And as regards the ladanum/spice (garden) let no person come near it.

Shim‘on, son of Yehudah; He issued it.

P. Yadin 51

F[rom Shim‘on] to [Ye]ho[na]than Ba‘yan and rest of the ‘Eingedites [ . . . ] . . . [ . . . ] . . . : Greetings! You are to send . . . . [ . . . ] . . .] . . . their utensils (or: to them) and . . . [ . . . ] . . . the children, twenty (or: the legitimate children). And . . . , and you are to bring up (or: to use up) the fruit (or: the iron). . . . [ . . . ] . . . (= Be informed) they belonged to the gentiles. And you are to care [for . . .] . . . [ . . . ] [ . . . ] . . . [ . . . ] . . . [ . . . ] . . . [ . . . ] . . . . And they are to bring up (or: to go up) [ . . . ] . . . in every respect (or: in the matter of) [ . . . ] . . . [ . . . ] . . . from any place (or: in any event). [ . . . ] your case. They will be [ . . . ]

P. Yadin 52

(First hand) Soumaios to Yonathes son of Beianos and to Mesabala greetings.

Since I have sent you Agrippa, hurry to send me wands and citrons, as much as you will be able to, for the camp of the Jews, and do not do otherwise. It (the letter) was written in Greek because of our inability (to write?) in Hebrew letters. Release him (Agrippa) more quickly on account of the festival, and do not do otherwise.

(Second hand) Soumaios: Farewell.

P. Yadin 53

A letter of Shim‘on, son of Kosibah: Peace!

To Yehonathan, so[n of] Ba‘yah: (Be advised) that whatever ’Elisha‘ tells you, do for him, and try to do well with him [in eve]ry task.

Fare you well!

P. Yadin 54

Shim‘on, son of Kosibah, the Premier over Israel [nesi’ Yisra’el—Ed.], to Yehonathan, and to Mesabalah: Peace!

You are (ordered) to examine and (to) seize the wheat that he brought (or: brought down; or: plundered), (namely) Ḥannu/in, son of Yishma‘’el, and ship of them to me, (weighed) precisely (or: on time/here), one se’ah. And place them under guard, because they were found to have been stolen (or: after they were stolen). And if you do not do accordingly, (know) that from you punishment will be exacted. And the (= that certain) man—you are to deliver to me under guard. And any Teko‘an man who is found with you (= in your vicinity)—let the houses that they reside in them burn down, and from you I shall exact punishment. And Yeshua‘, son of the Palmyrene, you are to seize for dispatch to me under guard. And do not fail to seize the sword that is on him (= carried by him). Send it (on)!

Shemu’el, son of ‘Ammi.

P. Yadin 55

Shim‘on, son of Kosibah; to Yehonathan and to Mesabala’: A letter: (to the effect) that any person from Tekoa‘, or from any other place, who is with you—you are to dispatch them to me right a[wa]y. And if you do not dispatch them, may it be known to you that from you I will exact punishment. [And] . . . shall be of the houses.

P. Yadin 56

Shim‘on, son of K[o]‌sibah to Yehonathan, son of Ba‘yan, and to Mesabalah, and the son of Ḥayyaṭa’: My brothers, peace! Pack up (the goods) for transporting; and the youths—that you bring (them along) with these, so that there will be no punishment (exacted) from you. And I am exacting (or: shall exact) punishment, as is proper, from the Romans (or: and bring the Romans). And transport Theodosius (Or: Tyrsus), son of Theodorus, and let him come with you, for we are in need of him. And pack (baling) over the salt so that none will fall out of (or: depart from) your hands. And transport (this) by mules (or: in a covered cart), all according to [custo]mary practice.

Fare you well!

P. Yadin 57

Shim‘on to Yehudah, son of Menasheh, at Qiryat ‘Arabayyah (or: ‘Arbayyah): I have delivered to you two donkeys (in order) that you dispatch along with them two men to Yehonathan, son of Ba‘yan, and to Mesabalah (in order) that they pack up and deliver to the camp, to you, palm branches and citrons. And you are to send additional persons from your place, and let them bring you myrtle branches and willows. And prepare them, and deliver them to the camp, because the (or: its) population is large. Fare well!

P. Yadin 58

[From] Shim[‘]on to Yonathan and to Mesabalah: Peace! You are (ordered) to pack up and deliver to the camp loads of salt, four. Fare you well!

[And] to the men of Qiryat ‘Arabayyah (or: ‘Arbayyah).

P. Yadin 59

Annanos (or: Aelianus) to Yonathes his brother greetings.

Now that Simon son of Koziba wrote again (or: to me) to send . . . for the need of our brothers . . .

Annanos (or: Aelianus): Greetings, brother.