Chapter XII: Front Matter (12)

This letter shows that the writer lived near _Biridia_, who was attacked by _Labaya_, and that the Hebron hills were inhabited by marauders.

72 B. M.—“Lo! a letter as to destruction of my brethren because of what the Gods of the King our Lord have done. And the people of _Labaya_ are conquered; and so we have ordered _Khaia_(310) that this be borne by him to the King our Lord. And a (company?) of my horse was placed, and the people are sent out after him, and he rides with _Yasdata_ also till I come. And he is gone away to smite him, and now _Yasdata_ is thy servant, and he strives mightily with me in battle array, and has not he ... the rule of the King my Lord, and let there be ... to the King my Lord ... and _Zurata_ is stopping the way of _Labaya_ from the city _Makidda_. And he asked me to gather ships—my fleet, and it will go straight to inform the King; and _Zurata_ marches on him and hinders him; from the city of _’Anana_ which is his. _Zurata_ is damming the marshes. They have contrived a stoppage of the head (waters) from his drinking. Behold what thus I have done for the King my Lord. Lo! possession is possible for me, but it is difficult. My brethren (have become few?) but _Zurata_ delays _Labaya_, and _Zurata_ hinders _Addumemur_ from them. And does not the King my Lord know this?”

This letter (confirmed by 154 B.) shows that a town near the sea, not like Megiddo, inland, is intended. Labaya had apparently taken Makkedah from Biridia, who had been afraid of it (115 B.). The writer of the present letter was probably Biridia and he was perhaps blockading the province by sea on the west, while Yasdata, who was on the east (which agrees with 59 B. M.), blocked up the stream near ’Anana. This site would be the Enam of the Bible (Josh. xv. 34), which is thus fixed at the ruin of _Kefr ’Ain_, by the numerous head springs which feed the river _Rubîn_, which passes close to Makkedah on the south. The marshes here between the hills would easily be dammed, and the water supply of Makkedah (_el Mughâr_) so cut off. Makkedah is close to the only stream of perennial water south of Joppa, and stands high on a cliff, not far from the sea. It is in the centre of the province, the boundaries of which Labaya’s sons describe (154 B.).

149 B.—“(To the) King my Lord thus (says) _Addu_(_urbilu_) thy servant at the feet of my Lord I bow—to the King my Lord. And know thou, behold I have raised my ... what I desire as to _Milcilu_. Lo! my chiefs are going against his servants. As to _Takanu_ a chief will march out to subject his servants for me.(311) And I have requited to this slave what they did to us.” The letter then becomes broken, but refers to Milcilu, who was the King of Gezer. Takanu (or Tagi) is mentioned again in connection with _Givti_ (B. 199).

61 B. M.—“To the King (my master?) by letter thus (says) _Labaya_ thy servant. I bow at the feet of the King my Lord. Lo! a message as to me. Strong were the chiefs who have taken the city. As when a snake coils round one, the chiefs, by fighting, have taken the city. They hurt the innocent, and outrage the orphan. The chief man is with me. They have taken the city (and he receives sustenance?). My destroyers exult in the face of the King my Lord. He is left like the ant whose home is destroyed. You (will be displeased?), but I have extended to the hand of her chief that which is asked of him: like me he is ruined and unfortunate; and this same taking of my city had been stopped if you had spoken against it. This wickedness (or foolishness) you caused, and thou hast destroyed thy city. They have desired to throttle (or persecute) us—the chiefs who have taken the city from him. It is the city of my fathers also (that) they persecute.”

154 B.—“To the King my Lord by letter thus (says) _Addurbilu_ thy servant, at the feet of the King my Lord seven times and seven times I bow. The King my Lord will know the hate which is desired by the son of the sinful chief who hated me—the second son of _Labaya_. His face is estranged. I foresee estrangement of the land of the King my Lord. He has plotted as plotted (against me?) the chief who was his father; and the King my Lord shall know it. Lo! he has built a fort ... against me. The second son of _Labaya_ (says) ‘Why has a vain papyrus(312) taken from us the lowlands of the _Gitties?_ ... thy Lord, O city of those who besieged the chief our father.’ As I am saying speaks to us the second son of _Labaya_. He has made war for me with the chiefs of the Land of _Gina_ (causing a chief our friend to be slain?). And when (there was) a battle he has not been confounded, and the fight was great, but he has made it his dwelling, bereaving me in the sight of the King my Lord: for he has made war in ... of _Gina_ (with?) the servants of the King my Lord. And truly alone of the chiefs exceeding strong (is) _Biruyapiza_.(313) (And thou shalt hear?) what is said as to him.” The text becomes broken, but still refers to the doings of the second son of _Labaya_, and continues with an important passage on the back of the tablet:

“And as I say speaks to us the second son of _Labaya_ who is making war. ‘As to our possessions from the King thy Lord, lo! this is the boundary: over against the city of _Sunasu_ and over against the city _Burku_ and over against the city _Kharabu_. And behold the boundary of the dwelling of my race. So it was defined by our Lord; and it includes the city of _Giti_ Rimuna (Gath Rimmon). And the King thy Lord is (breaking the bond of our...?).’ And I answered him. It is known that he deprives me of it in sight of the King my Lord. Because of his making wars with the King my Lord—my King my Lord—I and my brethren have gone down as you heard of us by me. And did not the messenger of _Milcilu_ speak to him before the face of the second son of _Labaya?_ It was made complete. I foresee estrangement of the land of the King my Lord. They disturb a peaceful region, and in vain I repeat the letter about me. The guard of my Lord ... to go down, and the King my Lord shall hear what the message says.”

This letter settles the site of Gath Rimmon (the full name of Gath, so called as standing on a height)—now _Tell es Sâfi_. The land of _Gina_ was near the present _Umm Jîna_—probably Engannim of Judah (Josh. xv. 34)—in the low hills about six miles to the northeast. Sunasu is _Sanasin_, a ruin in the hills east of the Valley of Elah. Burka is _Burkah_, in the plain northeast of Ashdod. Kharabu is _el Khurab_, a village east of Jaffa, and just north of the Valley of Jaffa. Gath stood over the Valley of Elah, and Burka close to the same. The province extended from the hills of Hebron to the sea, and from the Valley of Elah to the Valley of Jaffa; and just in the middle of this province was Makkedah.

111 B., a fragment of a letter from _Biridia_. He is a faithful servant, and sends the usual salutation. He has heard of (peace?), and he is marching. The son of _Labaya_ is noticed, and there is a reference to gold. Biridia has already appeared as one of the enemies of Labaya.

73 B. M.—This seems to come from the same region on account of its topography. The letter is injured at the top, and probably not addressed to the King himself. “I say the dog is marching ... from their ravages against me. Now behold from (being loosed?) ... from the wastings against ... Lo! consider thou thyself my chief cities. Mighty against me ... he has made ... to the city _Macdalim_.(314) And soldiers of the city _Cuuzbe_(315) have destroyed east of me. And now there is no commander to lead me forth from their hands. Moreover, _Abbikha_ (or _Abbinebo_) smites my western region. They have sinned against me and all the passes he marches against ... _Abbikha_...”

LETTERS FROM GEZER

63 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun by letter thus (says) _Milcili_ thy servant the dust of thy feet. At the feet of the King my Lord my God my Sun seven times seven times I bow. I hear what the King my Lord has sent to me, and the King my Lord despatches Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) to his servants, and the King my Lord despatches (them) to dwell as guards. It is apportioned for my honor.”

108 B., with the same salutation, is broken. It appears to refer to despatching six females, five chiefs, sons of ... and five trusty chiefs led to the King.(316)

109 B.—Begins with the same salutation as the preceding, and continues: “The message of the King my Lord my God my Sun to me being brought, now his command they have done for the King my Lord—the Sun from heaven; and truly the King my Lord my God my Sun knows, that peaceful is the land of the King my Lord which is with me.”

110 B.—Begins with the same salutation, and continues: “The King my Lord shall know. Behold mighty is the war against me, and against _Suārdatā_;(317) but the King my Lord shall pluck his land from the hands of men of blood. Since there are none, the King my Lord shall despatch chariots to march to us ... you will restrain our slaves for us ... _Yankhamu_ his servant...”

This may refer to the submission of Gezer to the Hebrews mentioned in a letter from Jerusalem (B. 103).

62 B. M.—Begins with the same salutation as the preceding, and continues: “Know O King my Lord the demands made to me by _Yankhamu_ since my going forth from before the King my Lord. Lo! he ... let him take from my hands. And they say to me (give us?) thy wife and thy sons. And does the King know this? And does the King my Lord demand despatch of chariots, and that I shall go to his presence? Nay! Let it be brought to nothing by thee.”

70 B. M., if not from Gezer, must come from near that town. It is written by _Takanu_, who is mentioned in connection with Milcilu (149 B.) in a letter from near Makkedah, which was the next great town to Gezer on the south.

“To the King my Lord thus (says) _Takanu_(318) thy servant: at the feet of the King my Lord seven times and seven times I bow. Lo! I am the King’s servant, and the guard of the whole of my roads was in the hands of my people, but they are now without refuge: they have not come up to guard my roads for the King my Lord; and ask the chiefs thy _Tarkas_,(319) if they are not now without refuge for my people. Moreover, behold us. My eyes are toward thee when I beseech the God of heaven: for we are cast from the land, and have been needy. We have lacked at thy hand, and behold this now, the guard that guards my roads is in the hands of a chief who hates me because of the King my Lord, and the King my Lord shall instruct; behold send down a host and it shall watch.”

Though the date is doubtful, within limits, this letter probably refers to the departure of the Egyptian soldiers mentioned in the Jerusalem letters.

155 B.—A much-damaged letter. The name of the writer is lost. He sends the usual salutation, and speaks of a letter: of transgression and sin; and mentions the city _Gazri_ (Gezer). He speaks of the going down of the king (or casting down), and of the _Paka_. (See note.)

50 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun, the Sun from the heavens, thus (says) _Yapa’a_(320) the chief of the city of _Gazri_ (Gezer) thy servant, the dust of thy feet, a chief captain of thy horse. At the feet of the King my Lord—the Sun from the heavens, seven times and seven times bow indeed both this heart and this body; and whatever the King my Lord says to me I listen to exceeding much. I am the King’s servant, the dust of thy feet. And the King my Lord shall learn. Behold the chief of my brethren; fellows foreign to me also strive for the city of _Mu(ra)’azi_;(321) and the delivery of the same is the demand of men of blood; and now behold what has arisen against me, and counsel as to thy land. Let the King send to the chief who is his friend against one (who is a foe?).”

49 B. M.—After the same salutation from _Yapa’a_, chief of _Gezer_, master of the horse, the letter continues: “I hear the message of the messenger of the King my Lord exceeding much. And let the King my Lord, the Sun from heaven, counsel his servant as to his land. Now strong is the chief of the men of blood against us; and send thou to destroy him O King my Lord for me; and will not the King restore from the hand of the chief of bloody ones? We are not quite made an end of by the chief of the bloody ones.”

51 B. M.—With the usual salutation from _Yapa’a_, the letter continues: “Whatever the King my Lord says to me I listen to him exceedingly. It is gracious. But as I fear what shall befall, help thou my region from the power of the people of the desert lands. And now I hear that the _Pauri_ (chiefs; see the Jerusalem letter B. 103) of the King gather a multitude; and it suffices for me. And they have enlarged my heart very much.”

From these letters we gather that there had been a withdrawal of the Egyptian troops about the time when the “desert people” attacked _Yapa’a_. That these desert people were the Hebrews under Joshua, who was the contemporary of Japhia, we learn more clearly from the Jerusalem letters. That Gezer submitted to them is also shown by the same.

LETTERS FROM JERUSALEM

105 B.—“To the King my Lord ... thus (says) _Adonizedek_(322) thy servant ... at the feet of my Lord ... seven times and seven times ... Behold _Milcilu_ is not rid from the sons of _Labaya_, and from the sons of _Arzaya_, as to their desire of the King’s land for themselves. A ruling man who makes demand thereof, why has he not asked it of the King? Lo! _Milcilu_ and _Takanu_ have desired the doing thereof. Lo! he has marched to it. Not having desired to strive ...” The lower half of the front is here lost, and the rest is on the back.

“So now, failing those who were chiefs of the garrison of the King, let me fly to the King.(323) Truly _Ben Piru_ (or _Ben Carru_) has fled his being led captive by my destroyers, he goes from the city _’Azati_ (Gaza): let him remind the King in his presence of a garrison to guard the land. All the King’s land is rebellious. _Yagu Balaam_ is sent, and let the King’s land know from the King’s scribe ... Thus says _Adonizedek_ thy servant ... the messages.”

102 B.—“To the King my Lord is mourning thus this _Adonizedek_ thy servant. At the feet of my Lord, of the King, seven times and seven times I bow. What shall I ask of the King my Lord? They have prevailed, they have (taken the fortress of Jericho(324)) they who have gathered against the King of Kings, which Adonizedek has explained to the King his Lord. Behold, as to me, my father is not and my army is not.(325) The tribe that has ground me in this place is very rebellious to the King, the same is struggling with me for the house of my father. Why has the tribe sinned against the King my Lord? Behold O King my Lord arise! I say to the _Paka_ (resident) of the King my Lord, ‘Why should you tremble before the chief of the _’Abiri_(326) (Hebrews) and the rulers fear the end? So now they must send from the presence of the King my Lord.’ Behold I say that the land of the King my Lord is ruined. So now they must send to the King my Lord, and let the King my Lord know this; behold the King my Lord has placed a garrison to stop the way ... (_Bel’amu_ or _Yankhamu_?) ... of kings ... chiefs of the garrison ... the king as master to his land ... as to his land she has rebelled, the (lands) of the King my Lord—the whole of it. _Ilimelec_(327) cuts off all the King’s land. And let one warn the King as to his land. I myself speak pleading with the King my Lord and (for once?) let the King my Lord behold the entreaties. And the wars are mighty against me, and (I am not receiving any pledge?) from the King my Lord. And let an order return from the King (my Lord). Whether will he not order chiefs for garrison? And let him be kind, and let the King my Lord regard the entreaties. This tribe behold O King my Lord has risen up. Lo the _Paka_ they have expelled. I say the lands of the King my Lord are ruined. Dost not thou hear this same of me? They have destroyed all the rulers. There is no ruler now O King my Lord. Let the King give his countenance to the chiefs; and whether shall the chiefs of the Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) remain at rest? They have lingered O King my Lord. The lands are failing to the King my Lord. The _Hebrew_ chiefs plunder all the King’s lands. Since the chiefs of the Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) have gone away quitting the lands this year O King my Lord, and since there is no chief of the Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) there is ruin to the lands of the King my Lord. They have ... O King my Lord, and _Adonizedek_ (is) dust ... messages (are asked?) of the King my Lord, there is destruction by the foe of the lands of the King my Lord.”

This letter, like others, clearly indicates a withdrawal of the Egyptian troops shortly before the appearance of the Hebrews.

106 B.—The salutation is broken, but is the same as before—from _Adonizedek_. The text continues: “... which have done for me _Milcilu_, and _Suardata_(328) for the land of the King my Lord. They have hired soldiers of the city of _Gezer_, soldiers of the city _Givti_(329) and soldiers of the city _Kielti_.(330) They have gone out to (or seized) the city of _Rubute_.(331) The King’s land rebels to the chiefs of the _Hebrews_, and now against this capital city _U-ru-sa-lim_ (Jerusalem) the city called _Beth Baalath_,(332) a neighbor of the city of the King—has rebelled, to delay the chiefs of the city of _Kielti_. Let the King hear as to _Adonizedek_; and will not he order Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_), and shall not the King’s land turn to the King? And because there are no Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) the King’s land has rebelled to the chiefs of the tribe of the _Hebrews_. They have demanded to dwell in the same with me. They have gone out against (or seized) _Milcilu_ ... and the city.... And let the King do justice to (or purify) his land.”

104 B.—The same salutation from _Adonizedek_. He continues: “Lo! the King my Lord has established his law from the (rising?) of the Sun to the going down of the Sun. He is a flatterer who deceives as to me. Lo! am not I a ruler myself, a man allied to the King my Lord? Lo! I myself am a good chief of the King, and I have sent tribute to the King. There is no chief to join me, and my friends (or army) fail; they have been fighting for the King mightily. I remain ... in this _Beth Amilla_(333) ... from before me thirteen ... I am giving ten slaves ... _Suuta_ the King’s _Paka_ (resident) takes charge from before me of twenty-one slave women. Twenty chiefs who remain trusty to my hand _Suuta_ has led away to the King my Lord,(334) which the King advises to his country. The whole of the King’s country, which is seized from me, is ruined. They have fought against me as far as the lands of _Seeri_ (Seir)(335) as far as the city _Givti Kirmil_ (Gibeah of Carmel?).(336) They have banded together against all the chiefs of the governments, and they have fought with me. Behold I, the chief of the lords (or of the Amorites), am breaking to pieces,(337) and the King my Lord does not regard entreaties, while they have fought against me (unceasingly?). Behold array O mighty King a fleet in the midst of the sea. Thou shalt march to our land, the land of _Nahrima_ and the land of _Cazib_, and behold these are fortresses of the King.(338) Thou shalt march against the chieftains of the _Hebrew_. There is not a single ruler for the King my Lord. They have destroyed all. Lo _Tuurbazu_(339) (is slaughtered?...): in the great pass of the city of _Ziluu_(340) they have bowed down. Behold _Zimridi_ of the city of _Lachish_. The slaves have subjected him; they have done as they chose(341).... The region of _Rimmon_(342) laments: slaughter (is) in the midst ... the fort of _Zilu_ is overthrown ... let the King take heed ... let the King give his countenance to.... Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) to the land.... Since there are no Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) in this same year destruction has destroyed the people of all the lands of the King my Lord. Do not they say to the face of the King my Lord, ‘Behold the land of the King my Lord has been ruined, and all the rulers have been slain, within this same year.’ Will the King not order his _Paka_? And let the fleet come to me as helpers, and let them take care of the port (with the King commanding?) ... (to) the scribe of the King my Lord, (lo!) _Adonizedek_ is his servant, at his feet (he bows). Translate the messages now to the King. I am thy ... myself.”

103 B.—The salutation is much broken, but part of the name of _Adonizedek_ is left. It then speaks of messages, and continues: “Let him know that they have fought all the lands that have been at peace with me; and let me warn the King as to his land. Lo! the land of the city of _Gezer_, and the land of the city of _Ascalon_, and the land of the city of (_Lachish?_) they have given (or settled) for themselves. Corn and oil (or fruit), and all things, this race has altogether gathered. And let me warn the King as to Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_). Will not he order Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) against the chiefs who have done wrong to the King my Lord? Since within this year the Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) have gone away, and quit the lands, the ruler of the King my Lord—since there were no Egyptian soldiers—(_pitati_) is brought to naught. Yea and the rulers of the King.... Behold the land of the city of _Jerusalem_.(343) No man is my subject. No people is subject to me. His tribe is arrayed (or prepared). They are not subject to me. Lo! my desire is the same as the desire of _Milcilu_ and the desire of the sons of _Labaya_, that the chiefs of the _Hebrews_ be subject to the King’s land. Lo! the King my Lord will be just to me, because the chiefs are sorcerers.(344) Let the King ask his _Pakas_ (or let one ask of the King’s _Pakas_). Lo he is strong, very (determined?) and (men) have feared. The sinful fort (or camp) is very arrogant. They have burst forth from their pasture (or border) and ... to the land of the habitation of the people (night?).... Will not there be sent from the land (of Egypt?) ... (soldiers?): thou shalt come up with ... let the servants be defended ... to them. The tribe is pouring out ... lands from the city of _As_(_calon_). Let the King ask about them. Plenty of corn, plenty of fruit (or oil), plenty.... Up to the province of my Lord _Pauru_(345) the King’s _Paka_ for the land of the city of _Jerusalem_ my foe is rebelling. Up to the chiefs of the garrison this chief has surged up. Let the King’s (foe) perish by the King ... for me my foe ... revolted from me. Do not desert this ... send me a chief of garrison—a _Paka_ of the King, despatched to this thy people. (The women?) are despatched(346) to the King my Lord (with) men who have been upright. Four messengers(347) ... to go out. The chiefs of the fort (or camp) are closing the roads of the pass ... the tribe who have caused the destruction of the city of _Ajalon_.(348) Let this be known to the King my Lord. Have not I shown the people despatched a road for the King, though it is not easy?(349) Lo! the King my Lord has established his law in the land of the city of _Jerusalem_ forever, and is not the desertion of the lands of the city of _Jerusalem_ manifest? To the scribe of the King my Lord this lamentation thus (speaks) _Adonizedek_ thy servant—the afflicted. Translate the messages well to the King my Lord. O, scribe of the King my Lord (I am) afflicted, greatly am I afflicted. And thou shalt perform the desire of our people before the chiefs of the land of Cush(350) (_Casi_). Truly is not there slaughter with us? Thou shalt make it ... clear to the chiefs of the land of Cush (_Casi_) ... midst of my land the people to take ... the King to ... seven times and seven times ... my Lord to me...”

199 B. appears to be from _Adonizedek_, and speaks of _Jerusalem_. Only the lower third of the tablet remains. The clay is different to that of the preceding, and it may have been written after the city was left.

“And lo now! the city of _Jerusalem_ when these went away from the land (was) faithful to the King. Lo! the city of _Gaza_ has remained to the King. Behold the land of _Harti Cirmiel_(351) belonging to _Takanu_ and the men of the city _Givti_,(352) they have bowed down, going away from the land quietly. And truly we do so (or but whether do we do so?). Behold _Labaya!_(353) and the land _Salabimi_(354) are inhabited by the _Hebrew_ chiefs. _Milcilu_ has sent for (tribute?)(355) and the fellows (say) ‘Have we not indeed dwelt in (or spoiled?) this land?’ They are adjudging all that they desire to the men of the city of _Keilah_. And truly we are leaving the city of _Jerusalem_. The chiefs of the garrison have left—without an order—through the wastings of this fellow whom I fear. These march to _Addasi_.(356) He has remained in his land (or camp) in the city of _Gaza_ ... (women?) ... to the land of Egypt...”

This letter was written apparently after the defeat of Ajalon, perhaps from Makkedah, where the kings hid in the cave. It is clear from this correspondence that when they fled, after sending away their harems, the intention was to reach Egypt. Gaza is not mentioned as taken by Joshua, and it was here that they expected to find safety.

SUYARDATA’S LETTERS FROM (_Keilah_?)(357)

69 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun by letter thus (says) _Suyardata_ thy servant, the dust of thy feet. At the feet of the King my Lord my God my Sun seven times and seven times I bow. The message which is sent by the King my Lord the Sun from heaven (has come?). His order shall be done for the King my Lord the Sun from heaven.”

67 B. M.—Is a broken letter. It appears to begin as follows: “To the King my Lord thus (says) this _Suyardata_ thy servant: at the feet of the King my Lord seven times and seven times this soul and this body bow. An announcement to the King my Lord that I am causing one to make to bring all the soldiers of the King my Lord; and now this _Ra_(358) the overseer, my prince, has caused the countries of the King my Lord to be stripped. I am sending them to the King; to (inform myself?) of the King, I am sending to the King my Lord. Let him know this. Who are we ... of the King my Lord to the hands ... it is ruled. At the feet of the King my Lord seven times and seven times I bow.”

100 B.—“... to the King my Lord ... my Sun ... letter thus (says) _Suyardata_ thy servant, the dust of thy feet: at the feet of the King my Lord my God my Sun seven times seven times I bow. O King (the message?) is despatched by me, as to there having been made a war. With the city of _Cielti_ (Keilah) I am warring.(359) My chief city has gathered and has turned to me: against which has sent _Adonizedek_ who is greedy of silver—against the chiefs of the city of _Keilah_. And they have marched on me behind (or to the west of) me. And know O King my Lord lo! he is marching—_Adonizedek_—to remove my city from my hands. Let the King ask if he is marching—this chief; and if there is one ox or a beast before him.(360) And _Labaya_ has deserted his faith. The weak (or the gate) he is marching against we have succored. But now _Labaya_ is with _Adonizedek_. I march to a city of my brethren.... Know O King as to his servant. Order thou this my desire. And do they not gather? They have put all to shame. The news (is true?): let there be an order of the King for his servant.”

107 B.—Begins with the same salutation from _Suyardata_. It is much injured, but the following words are clear: “Know O King my Lord lo! his land has ... the city of _Keilah_ ... against me, chiefs ... the ... our ruler ... and truly we ... against them; and truly we guide the friendly chiefs from the land of the King my Lord.”

It seems from this that the previous letter brought assistance to the writer.

68 B. M.—Perhaps earlier than the preceding; reads: “To the King my Lord my God my Sun thus (says) _Suyardata_ thy servant: seven and seven times this soul and this body bow. Let the King my Lord learn. I am one (put to shame?). There shall be Egyptian soldiers (_pitati_) despatched of the King my Lord. I am hard pressed; and consider thou me (come out to me?) and I shall be established by the King my Lord.”

101 B.—With the usual salutation is from _Suyardata_, and, though broken, appears to read: “It is my desire to approach, as taking refuge with the King my Lord. Who am I to regard (being seen?)? Let me approach the King my Lord with these things (articles) of silver—and the silver is pure. O King my Lord _Yankhamu_ (is) thy right hand; and I am mourning for him, since, wholly having gone away, no Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) will come back to me from the King my Lord. Let the King my Lord learn how thirty temples of the gods he has put to shame—he who fights against me. I am left alone. Mightily he has fought against.... Give me rest O King my Lord from his hand. The King my Lord shall send Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_). Now _Yankhamu_ also has returned to the house of the King my Lord. He shall come back—soldiers of the King my Lord with him. Mighty is he who has fought against _Suyardata_ and (men) fail.”

The enemy must have been of another race to destroy the temples. The letter is valuable because it shows that _Yankhamu_ was a contemporary of _Suyardata_, who was a contemporary with _Adonizedek_, for _Yankhamu_ was also contemporary with _Aziru_, who was living about twenty years after the death of Thothmes IV.

LETTERS OF THE LADY BASMATH

137 B.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun by letter thus (says) the Lady whose name is _Basmatu_,(361) thy handmaid. At the feet of the King my Lord my God my Sun, seven times seven times, I bow. Know O King my Lord behold! there has been war in the land, and the land of the King my Lord has been wearied by rebels, by men of blood. And know O King as to his land, and know my foolishness (or disgrace). Behold the men (or chiefs) of blood have sent to the city of _Ajalon_, and to the city of _Zar’a_ (Zorah),(362) and (this is) to show that there is no place of refuge for the two sons of _Milcilu_; and know O King my Lord this request.”

138 B.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun by letter thus (says) the Lady whose name is _Basmatu_, thy handmaid, the dust of thy feet, and at the feet of the King my Lord my God my Sun seven times seven times I bow. Let the King my Lord pluck his land from the hands of the men of blood. Am not I tired marching to the town of _Zabuba_; and because of not resting O King my Lord?”

There is only one place in Palestine called Zabuba; it is the Sububa of the fourteenth century, the modern Ezbuba, south of Taanach, west of the plain of Esdraelon. Poor Basmath had to go some sixty miles by road to reach it from her home. This interesting little letter, which shows she was not one of the ladies sent to Egypt, though probably a person of importance, seems perhaps to indicate that the central part of the country, from which no appeals for help occur in the letters, was undisturbed. The Amorite-Hittite league came down to Bashan and to Tyre, but not apparently as far as Accho. The Hebrews, on the other hand, coming from Seir, are said to have gone as far north as Rimmon and Shiloh, but were mainly fighting southward from Ajalon. Between the two theatres of war lay the whole of Samaria and lower Galilee, in which Basmath found a refuge.

OTHER LETTERS FROM THE SOUTH OF PALESTINE

136 B.—“To the King my Lord (my God?), the Sun from heaven, by letter thus (says) _Yamirdagan_ thy servant: at the feet of the King my Lord seven times seven times I bow. I hear the message of the King my Lord to me, and now I will guard the city of the King my Lord till the coming of a message of the King my Lord for me.”

Comparing the name with that of Dagontacala of Ascalon, it appears that this writer was probably a Philistine.

151 B.—A letter from the “Chief of the town _Naziba_” to say he goes with his chariots and horses to meet the King’s soldiers. This place must, therefore, have been in or near the plains. It may be the Nezib of the Bible (Josh. xv. 43), now _Beit Nusîb_, eight miles northwest of Hebron, close to Keilah. The chariots could easily reach this vicinity from the plain, by the broad flat highway of the Valley of Elah.

55 B. M.—With the usual salutation, _Ben Addu_, captain of the King’s horse, says: “Now they watch the land of the King my Lord exceedingly. And who am I—a dog.... He will hear the messages of the King my Lord and of the _Ka-pa_ (for _Paka?_) of the King my Lord. To (_Sagusi Khasi?_) ... thus (says) _Ben Addu_: I bow at thy feet. All is failing. So now those who are our friends are fleeing to the King; will not he despatch ... the road.... Now they guard the road: it is cleared for thee.”

56 B. M.—The usual salutation from _Ben Addu_, of the city of _Pitazza_; continues: “Now they guard the city, and land of the King my Lord, the Sun from heaven: all that the King has said they watch—the allies. And the decree of the message of the King my Lord _Bel Anapa_ (Baal Anubis) the _Paka_ of the King my Lord has uttered. The King my Lord is mighty as the Sun in heaven. Whom I but a dog, and shall such a one not mind the message of the King my Lord the Sun from heaven?”

153 B.—From the same _Ben Addu_, of _Pitazza_, with the usual salutation, and to the same effect as the preceding, but too broken to read.

The only site which seems to be suggested by Pitazza is the important ruin of _Futeis_, southeast of Gaza. It is near the road to Egypt and in the plains. The letters probably refer to arrangements for the flight of the kings of Jerusalem and Gezer, or of their wives.

77 B. M.—A short broken letter by _Satiya_, who was apparently chief of the city (or chief town) of _Eni-Saam_(_si_), which is perhaps En-Shemesh, close to Zorah, in the Valley of Sorek, now _’Ain Shems_. It is the Ir-Shemesh of the Bible (Josh. xix. 41), otherwise Beth-Shemesh (Josh. xv. 10). Here, again, we find an Egyptian station in an open valley, on one of the main roads to Jerusalem.

133 B.—“To the King my Lord by letter thus (says) the chief of _Kanu_ thy servant: at the feet of the King my Lord seven times and seven times I bow. Thou thyself hast sent to me, to muster to meet the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_); and now I with my soldiers and with my chariots (am) in sight of the soldiers of the King my Lord, as far as the place you will march to.”

This town cannot well be any of the Kanahs of Palestine, since the word would then be “_Kanatu_.” It is more probably the important ruin _Kanya_, close to Rabbath of Judah, immediately west of the Valley of Elah; chariots would be possible in this vicinity.

LETTERS FROM UNCERTAIN SITES

33 B. M.—“To the King my Lord by letter thus (says) _Abd Istar_(?)(363) the King’s servant. At the feet of the King my Lord I bow, seven times at the feet of the King my Lord, and seven more, both heart and body. And this is to show the King my Lord how mightily he fights against me, and destroys the rulers from the presence of the King my Lord; and the great King shall give orders for my defenders. Moreover, it sends messages to the King my Lord as to me, and I shall hear all the messages of the King my Lord. I will listen. Now ten women (concubines?) I am retaining.”

Perhaps these were some of the ladies on their way to Egypt: “_tumiki_” seems to come from the root “_wamak_,” an Arabic root meaning “to love.” The Amorite words with an initial “_vau_” are nearer to Arabic than to Hebrew or Aramaic. One of the commonest is “_uras_,” “to desire” or “ask,” whence one of the names of Istar, the goddess of desire.

34 B. M.—Is a short letter broken at the end; it merely acknowledges a message, and is from _Abd Astati_. There was a deity _As_, or _Ast_, apparently of Egyptian origin.

60 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my Sun my God thus _Mayaya_.” The important part of this short letter is broken, but it appears to say: “Have not they devoured _Yankhamu_ ... this conquest of all the lands from men of blood, and the devouring of thy land.”

65 B. M.—(_Sibtiaddu?_) writes as a servant of the King with the usual salutation, and has heard the message. “Behold what _Yankhamu_ (says). I am a faithful servant at the foot of the King. Let the King my Lord know it. I guard much the King’s city which is with me.”

147 B.—From (_Khiziri?_), the King’s servant. He will meet the soldiers, and has received a message from _Maya_ about a tax.

148 B.—_Ruzbanya_, of _Taruna_, is a servant of the King. The letter is broken. He was of old a servant of the King.

150 B.—From _Nurtu_.... He listens to the _Paka_, and will fortify until the King comes to his tribe. He fills a good-sized tablet, without giving any information of interest.

76 B. M.—_Zidriyara_ writes, with the usual compliments, to acknowledge a message.

141 B.—_Zidriyara_ is faithful, as of old, and a friend of the rulers, and listens to all the King’s messages.

140 B.—_Zidriyara_ hears the message of the King, whose servant he is—“the Sun from among the Heavenly Gods who has spoken”—and he will not neglect the messages of the King his lord, or of the _Paka_ who is established with him.

135 B.—Apparently without a name. He is only a dog, but will march with chariots and horses to meet the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_).

130 B.—_Sutarnamu_, of his city _Zicaruenu_,(364) bows to the King. He asks for soldiers of garrison, as they are obstructing the district of the King’s land near him. Probably the site is the present village _Dhikerîn_, near Gath on the south, which was the Caphar Dikerin of the Talmud (Tal. Jer. “_Taanith_,” iv. 8), in the region of Daroma (now _Deirân_), near Ekron (see Ekha ii. 2). He asks for soldiers.

131 B.—_Samuaddu_, of the town of _Sama’una_, listens to all the King’s messages. Perhaps _Sammûnieh_, an ancient and important ruin immediately east of Kirjath Jearim (_’Erma_), on the way to Jerusalem, by the Valley of Sorek, is the place intended.

Nos. 79, 80, 81 B. M. are short and broken letters, which appear only to acknowledge messages received. No. 80 is from a certain _Nebo_...; in No. 79 there appears to be no personal name, and in No. 81 it is destroyed.

The names of these villages establish a regular chain of posts from Gaza, by Lachish, to the valleys of Sorek and Elah, which seem to have been the most eastern parts of the country in which chariots were to be found. There is no mention of chariots at Jerusalem, or at any village which was not accessible by a flat valley-road. By these posts communication was kept up, it would seem, with Jerusalem; and the messengers probably travelled by this route, avoiding Ajalon. It was by this route that Adonizedek proposed that Amenophis should come up to help him. Whether any such expedition was attempted, none of the letters seem to indicate. The troops had been withdrawn, and the Egyptian policy seems to have been to call out the native levies of the Amorite charioteers. Perhaps, when the five kings had been killed at Makkedah, no further steps were taken, but the lowlands remained unconquered till the time of Samuel and David. Even in Solomon’s time Gezer was only received as the dower of the daughter of the Pharaoh (1 Kings ix. 16) who had burned the place and killed its Canaanite population. In Judges we read that Judah “could not drive out the inhabitants of the Shephelah (or lowlands) because they had chariots of iron” (i. 19). The coast road was still open when Dusratta was writing to his son-in-law Amenophis IV twenty years later; and all lower Galilee was, for some few years, with Philistia and Syria, reconquered by Rameses II, who, however, never entered the Judæan mountains.

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This concludes the sum of 176 letters from Palestine, the translation of which has occupied me for nearly two years. I have no doubt that it may be improved upon in detail; but the general results seem to be too well corroborated, by comparison of the numerous epistles, which throw light on one another, to admit of any very important changes.

Royal Letters

DUSRATTA’S LETTERS

No. 9 B. M.—“To _Neb-mat-ra_ (Amenophis III) King of _Egypt_ my brother, by letter, thus _Tuseratta_(365) King of _Mitani_(366) thy brother. I am at peace. Peace be to thee; to _Gilukhipa_ my sister be peace. To thy house, thy wives, thy sons, thy lords, thy terrible army, thy horses, thy chariots, and in thy land, be much peace. Since I have sat on my father’s throne, and have conquered. But (_Pirkhi?_) made a lawless command in my land, and smote his Lord; and because of these things, they have striven to right me, with who so loved us well; and because my land submitted to this lawless order I was not afraid, but the chiefs who supported _Artasu-mara_ my brother, with all that were theirs, I slew. As thou wast well with my father, and because of these things, I send this. I say to you, as my brother hears, and will rejoice; my father loved thee, and thou therefore didst love my father; and my father, as he saw this, gave thee my sister; and now ... as thou wast with my father. When my brother saw these things, he brought all those in the land of the _Hittites_ as foes to my land; and _Rimmon_ my Lord gave them to my hand; and I slew him among them, so that not one returned to his land.(367) Now I have sent thee a chariot with two horses, a young man and a young woman, of the spoil of the land of the _Hittites_. I have sent thee, as a present to my brother, five chariots, and five yoke of horses; and as a present to _Gilukhipa_(368) my sister, I have sent her (trinkets?) of gold, a pair of gold earrings, and ... of gold, and goodly stones, each(?). Now _Gilia_, a prudent man, and _Tunipripi_(369) I send to my brother; speedily let him reply to me; so I shall hear my brother’s salutation, and shall rejoice. Let my brother wish me well; and let my brother send envoys: so my brother’s salutation shall come to me, and I shall hear.”(370)

22 B.—The salutation calls Amenophis III his “kinsman,” but does not name his sister.

“_Mani_ my brother’s envoy has come to honor me: to take my brother’s wife the Queen of _Egypt_;(371) and I received the letter that came: I learned the declaration of his (order?). My heart has been much gladdened by my brother’s message, as my brother will see; and it rejoiced that day exceeding much: that day and night they made (rejoicings?).

“And, my brother, all the message that _Mani_ came to bring has been performed. This same year behold, my brother, I will ... his wife, the Queen of _Egypt_, and I will send ... hence forth the land of _Khanirabbe_ and the land of _Egypt_. And because of these things that _Mani_ has spoken, I send back, my brother, _Gilia_ and _Mani_ with speed, to ... these things; and let not my brother blame them ... as to delay in being despatched; for there was no delay to ... for my brother’s wife; and lo! delay is.... In the sixth month I have sent _Gilia_ my envoy, and _Mani_ my brother’s envoy: I will send my brother’s wife to my brother. So may _Istar_ the Lady of Ladies my Goddess, and _Amanu_(372) my brother’s God, give peace ... I have sent to my brother; and my brother as ... increased his (love?) very much, and ... as the heart of my brother was satisfied; and ... (for our children?) my brother ... more than before ... I have despatched _Khai_, my brother, trusting his ... and I give the letter to his hands ... and let him bear his message ... I have sent ... going to my brother ... my brother, are not his soldiers...”

The next five lines referring to the wife are too broken to read. The back of the tablet continues:

“... which my brother sent ... all that my brother has caused to be collected ... in presence of all of them they have been (given?) us ... all these things, beyond expectation thereof, and the gold ... which they have paid—and he has indeed lavished very much ... them, any or all these things; was not the gold ... They say ‘In the land of _Egypt_ there is plenty more gold for thee my brother, because he loves thee very much ... and will love (and being so?) is not there, behold, anything needful, anything beside, from the land of Egypt in addition? So send to me, accordingly, him by whom these are given, and there shall be no lack.’ Thus indeed (said) I ‘As to anything (further?) do not I say to your faces—He loves me, and my land, exceeding much, does this King of _Egypt_?’

“And my brother has taken me to his heart: all is as my heart desired; and is it not understood; when he sends shall not I hasten me for my brother: shall not I increase in longing toward my brother: as my brother does also? _Mani_, my brother’s envoy, has brought my brother’s ... which was with _Mani_. I have honored their ... and I have honored them very much. Now _Mani_ will take this; and my brother we direct him to ... how I have received from him very much: he will tell my brother this, and my brother will hear what we have done (as I have sent list of gifts of this and that, and he shall not refuse it?).

“And may my brother send untold gold; and may my father’s power increase with me, as my brother has increased my favor, as my brother has cherished me much, in the sight of my country, in the sight of the whole of my brethren. May _Rimmon_ and _Amanu_ appoint that my brother’s wishes be ever fulfilled; and for myself, my brother, that my wishes may be fulfilled, as men whom the Sun-God loves. And so now the Gods shall indeed decree for us this prayer, ... we shall join as friends forever.

“For my brother’s present I have sent to my brother a (double-edged weapon?) ... and (?) of emeralds, and pure gold ... enclosed in a box, and ... of alabaster, and pure gold, for a box ...”

21 B.—“To _Amenophis III_, the Great King, King of _Egypt_, my brother, my kinsman(373) whom I love, and who loves me, by letter thus _Dusratta_, the Great King, King of _Mitani_, thy brother, thy kinsman who also loves thee. I am at peace, etc.

“To my brother whom I love I have given his young wife.(374) May the Sun-God and _Istar_ ... her face. As my brother desires: may ... and may my brother rejoice, in the day when ... the Sun-God and the God ... giving joy to my noble brother, ... let them grant it to be ... and may my brother ... forever.

“_Mani_ my brother’s envoy, and _Khani_(375) my brother’s interpreter, as you cause them to be sent, plenty of (provisions?) I shall give them ... them much; as they performed their orders I made all the people protect them. If they do not may my Gods, and my brother’s Gods, guard them. Now I have sent _Nahramani_ who is careful in my brother’s affairs, and I have sent (an ornament?) of precious stones—of precious stones and gold, as a present to my brother; and may my brother be granted to live a hundred years.”

8 B. M.—The salutation is the same as before, but the writer’s name is spelt “_Tusratta_” instead of _Dusratta_. The letter is the best preserved in the whole collection.

“Since your forefathers were friendly with my forefathers, thou therefore wast very greatly friendly with my father. So you love me: we are zealous friends. Ten times more you increase it than to my father. The heavenly Gods shall decree that we shall be friends. May _Rimmon_ my God, and _Amanu_, so pronounce, even forever.

“And so my brother sent _Mani_ his envoy. Thus indeed my brother (said) ‘Does not my brother’s heart desire that thy daughter (be) the wife of my young son(376)—as a princess of _Egypt_’ and I spoke as to my intention about it; and my brother desiring that she should be made ready for _Mani_, and to show her, so he beheld her, and praised her much. And may they lead her in peace into the land of my brother. May _Istar_ and _Amanu_ make her agreeable to my brother’s heart.