Yavneh Yam Ostracon
(a.k.a. Mesad Hashavyahu ostracon)
c. 630-609 B.C.
The archaeological remains of an ancient fortress were discovered on the border of ancient Judea facing the Philistine city of Ashdod near the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 1.7 km south of Yavneh Yam (the seaport) and 7 km northwest of Yavneh (the main city). The original name of the fort is unknown, but it now identified by the name found on several inscribed pottery shards (ostraca) recovered at the site, Meṣad Hashavyahu. The site was excavated in 1960 by Joseph Naveh, and dates from approximately 630 to 609 BC, within the reigning years of Josiah, king of Judah.
One of the most important finds at Mesad Hashavyahu is an ostracon containing a written appeal by a field worker to the fortress' governor regarding the confiscation of his cloak, which the writer considers to have been unjust. The worker makes his appeal to the governor on the basis of both the garment's undeserved confiscation and by implication, the Levitical law (Exodus 22:25, 26) regarding the prohibition of holding past sundown a person's cloak as collateral for a debt. Although the petition does not specifically cite the law, it would have been commonly known by rulers and peasants alike. The ostracon also bears the first known extra-Biblical reference to the Hebrew Sabbath day of rest. The Yavneh Yam ostracan is presently housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
The following is a translation of the text on the ostracon, which is composed of fourteen lines in paleo-Hebrew:
One of the most important finds at Mesad Hashavyahu is an ostracon containing a written appeal by a field worker to the fortress' governor regarding the confiscation of his cloak, which the writer considers to have been unjust. The worker makes his appeal to the governor on the basis of both the garment's undeserved confiscation and by implication, the Levitical law (Exodus 22:25, 26) regarding the prohibition of holding past sundown a person's cloak as collateral for a debt. Although the petition does not specifically cite the law, it would have been commonly known by rulers and peasants alike. The ostracon also bears the first known extra-Biblical reference to the Hebrew Sabbath day of rest. The Yavneh Yam ostracan is presently housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
The following is a translation of the text on the ostracon, which is composed of fourteen lines in paleo-Hebrew:
- "Let my lord, the governor, hear the word of his servant! Your servant is a reaper. Your servant was in Hazar Asam, and your servant reaped, and finished, and he has stored (the grain) during these days before the Sabbath. When your servant had finished the harvest, and had stored (the grain) during these days, Hoshavyahu came, the son of Shobi, and he seized the garment of your servant, when I had finished my harvest. It (is already now some) days (since) he took the garment of your servant. And all my companions can bear witness for me - they who reaped with me in the heat of the harvest - yes, my companions can bear witness for me. Amen! I am innocent from guilt. And he stole my garment! It is for the governor to give back the garment of his servant. So grant him mercy in that you return the garment of your servant and do not be displeased."
