Legumes and Barley

ca. 475 BCE

Greetings, Islah.

Now, I shall dispatch legumes tomorrow. Meet the boat tomorrow on Sabbath. Lest, if they get lost, by the life of YHH, I swear that I will take your life. Do not rely on Meshullemeth or on Shemaiah.

Now, exchange for me barley.

[ . . . ]

You will see my face (in peace) and I shall see your face (in peace).

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In this letter from around 475 BCE, the writer is going to send some legumes by boat on the sabbath, to be exchanged for barley, and instructs the addressee to receive the shipment personally.

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