Northern Palestine

LETTERS FROM BEIRUT

No. 26 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my Sun my God, to the King my Lord by
letter thus _Ammunira_, chief of the city of _Burutu_, thy servant, the
dust of thy feet: at the feet of the King my Lord my Sun my God—the King
my Lord—seven and seven times I bow. I hear the messages of ... of the
King my Lord my Sun my God—the ruler of my life, and they have drawn the
heart of thy servant, and the dust of the feet of the King my Lord my Sun
and my God—the King my Lord—exceeding much. Sufficient is the order of the
King my Lord my Sun my God, for his servant and the dust of his feet.
Behold the King my Lord my Sun has sent to his servant, and the dust of
his feet, ‘Speed to the presence of the Egyptian soldiers (_bitati_) of
the King thy Lord.’ I listen exceeding much, and now I have sped, with my
horses, and with my chariots, and with all who march with the servant of
the King my Lord, to meet the Egyptian soldiers of the King my Lord. And
art not thou confident of the event? The breast of the enemies of the King
my Lord my Sun my God shall be troubled. And shall not the eyes of thy
servant behold this, through the mastery of the King my Lord; and the King
my Lord my Sun my God, the King my Lord, shall see. Thou increasest the
favors of thy servant. Now as to the servant of the King my Lord, and the
footstool of his feet, now let him fortify the city of the King my Lord my
Sun—the ruler of my life, and her gardens (that is to say the
mulberries),(286) till the eyes behold the Egyptian soldiers of the King
my Lord, and ... the servant of the King I proclaim” (or predict).

27 B. M.—“To the King ... my Lord thus says _Ammunira_ thy servant, the
dust of thy feet. At the feet of the King my Lord seven and seven times I
bow. I hear the message of the letter, and what is thereby commanded to me
O King my Lord. And I hear (the precept?) of the message of the scribe of
my Lord, and my heart is eager, and my eyes are enlightened exceedingly.
Now I have watched much, and have caused the city of _Burutu_ to be
fortified for the King my Lord, until the coming of the Egyptian soldiers
(_bitati_) of the King my Lord. As to the chief of the city of _Gebal_ who
is in trouble together with me, now they defend him till there shall be
counsel of the King to his servant. The King my Lord is shown the grief of
one’s brother, which troubles us both. From the city of Gebal, lo! the
sons of _Ribaadda_ who is in trouble with me, are subjected to chiefs who
are sinners to the King, who (are) from the land of the _Amorites_. Now I
have caused them to haste with my horses and with my chariots and with all
who are with me, to meet the soldiers (_bitati_) of the King my Lord. At
the feet of the King my Lord seven and seven times I bow.”

Ammunira was Ribadda’s friend (see 16 B. M.), and his letter agrees with
Ribadda’s: clearly, therefore, the seizure of Ribadda’s sons comes
historically before the loss of Beirût, Mearah, and Sidon (54 B., 75 B.).

LETTER FROM SIDON

90 B.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun—the King my Lord(287)—by letter
thus _Zimridi_, the Governor of the city of Sidon (_Ziduna_): at the feet
of the King my Lord my God my Sun—the King my Lord—seven times and seven
times I bow. Does not the King my Lord know? Lo! the city of _Sidon_ has
gathered. I am gathering, O King my Lord, all who are faithful to my hands
(power). And lo! I hear the message of the King my Lord. Behold, he causes
it to be sent to his servant, and my heart rejoices, and my head is
raised, and my eyes are enlightened; my ears hear the message of the King
my Lord; and know O King I have proclaimed in presence of the Egyptian
soldiers (_bitati_) of the King my Lord, I have proclaimed all, as the
King my Lord has spoken; and know O King my Lord lo! mighty has been the
battle against me: all ... who are faithful to the King in ... it has come
to pass, and the chiefs ... sons, and are faithful to the King ... and her
chief who goes out in the presence of the King’s Egyptian soldiers
(_bitati_). The greatest of the fortresses deserts to the enemies: which
has gone well for the men of blood, and they are gaining them from my
hands, and my destruction is before me. O King my Lord as said the chiefs
who are my foes have done.”

From the letters of the King of Tyre which follow (99 B. and 28-31 B. M.)
we see that Zimridi was a weak ruler. His own letter agrees with one from
Ribadda (54 B.) as showing that Sidon fell by treachery, not by war.

LETTERS FROM TYRE

These appear to begin early, before the appearance of Aziru, and show that
the rivalry of Tyre and Sidon was of early origin. None of the letters
mention Tyre except those written by her King.

99 B.—“To the King my Lord my God my Sun thus (says) _Abimelec_(288) thy
servant: seven and seven (times) at the feet of the King my Lord (I bow).
The King my Lord sends (to ask) if I have finished what is doing with me.
I present to the King my Lord 100 ornaments (or ‘crowns,’ perhaps
‘shekels’—_tacilal_); and let the King my Lord give his countenance to his
servant, and let him give the city _Huzu_(289) to his servant—a fountain
to supply water for his drinking: let the King my Lord grant (a chief a
subject?)(290) to guard his town; and let me plead, and let the face of
the King my Lord regard my explanation before the King my Lord. As said
behold let the King my Lord confide in me to defend his city. Lo! the King
of the city of _Sidon_ is taking the people who are my subjects—a chief
who is my inferior (or foe). Let the King give his countenance to his
servant, and let him order his _Paka_ (chief), and let him give the city
of _Huzu_ for waters to his servant, to take trees for our use for the
dwellings. Lo! he has made war: nothing is left. In vain have they
threshed corn if the King of Sidon despoils the King’s land. The King of
the city of _Khazura_ (Hazor)(291) is leaving his city, and goes out with
men of blood. Let the King show their borders to the hostile (or inferior)
chiefs. The King’s land is vexed by men of blood. Let the King send his
_Paka_ (chief) who is in our land.”

29 B. M.—“To the King my Lord, my God, my Sun thus (says) _Abimelec_ thy
servant: seven and seven (times) at the feet of the King my Lord I bow. I
(am) the dust beneath the shoes of the King my Lord my master—the Sun-God
who comes forth in presence of the world from day to day, as the
manifestation of the Sun-God his gracious father: who gives life by his
good word, and gives light to what is obscure: who frees all lands from
dissensions by just rule of a free country; who gives this his compassion
from heaven, like the God Adonis, and causes all lands to rest through his
mercy. This is the message of a servant to his Lord. Lo! I hear the
gracious messenger of the King who reaches his servant, and the good
utterance which comes from the hands of the King my Lord for his servant;
and the utterance it makes clear, since the arrival of the messenger of
the King my Lord. Does not he make it clear?—the utterance is clear. The
lands of my fathers behold it records. Lo! the utterance of the King comes
to me, and I rejoice exceedingly and (my heart has risen?) from day to day
because the land is not ... Behold I heard the gracious messenger from my
Lord, and all my land has been afraid as to my Lord’s countenance. Lo! I
heard the good utterance; and the gracious messenger who reaches me,
behold he said, O King my Lord, that the region (is) to be established by
the presence of many soldiers; and the servant says for his Lord that my
plain is my land over against my highlands, over against the plain of my
cities. He has borne the order of the King my Lord listening to the King
his Lord, and has served him (in his integrity?), and the Sun-God he has
proclaimed before him; and he makes clear the good utterance from the
hands of his Lord, and does he not listen to the order of his Lord? The
portion of his town his Lord has divided. His word none shall overthrow in
all the lands forever. Behold (this is) the duty that he heard from his
Lord. His city will rest, will rest from overthrowing his utterance for
all time. Thou art the Sun-God whom he has proclaimed before him; and the
decision which shall set at rest is lasting for one. And because she
judges that the King my Lord is just our land obeys—the land that I am
given. This Abimelec says to the Sun-God. My Lord I am given what appears
before the King my Lord. And now the city _Zarbitu_(292)is to be guarded
by the city of Tyre (_Tsuru_) for the King my Lord.”

31 B. M.—“To the King the Sun ... thus says _Abimel_(_ec_) ... seven times
and seven times at the feet ... I am the dust from ... below ... and the
King the Sun forever ... The King spoke to his servant (and) to his
servant my comrade: he has granted that extension be given, and as to
waters for (his servant’s) drinking And they did not as the King my Lord
has said; and we arrive at no fulfilment. And let the King counsel his
servant my comrade. He has granted that the waters be given, because of
the abundance there to drink. My Lord the King, behold, there is no one to
tend my trees, no one (to tend) my waters, no one to make ... Let the King
my Lord know.” The next lines are much broken, and the letter then
continues: “... As the King has said. And let the King assign to his
servant and to the city of Tyre (_Tsuru_) the city that my comrade has
given, and what the order lays down on the side of the King for his
servant, which the King made an order (less than a year ago?). The King is
the eternal Sun-God, and to his faithful servant the King my Lord shall
... for guardians of the town that my comrade has granted. My requests as
to this town ... Moreover, my Lord ... soldiers against me ... to my
desire ... King ... Lo! his heart is evil ... King my Lord; and he turns
away from my wish; and O King my Lord (thou knowest the hearts of all
those in the land?), and let the King give his countenance to his servant;
and to the city of _Tyre_ the town that my comrade has granted (is) to be
given ... waters for (irrigation?). Moreover, my Lord ... Let the King ask
his _Paka_. Lo! the chief of the city of _Zar_(_epta_) has followed the
city of _Simyra_ (with) a ship. I am marching, and the chief of the city
of _Sidon_ marches out; and as for me he has marched with all ... and let
the King counsel his servant ...”

30 B. M.—_Abimelec_ begins with his ordinary salutation. “Thus far I
defend the King’s city which he confides to my hands very much. My
intention (has been) to walk in sight of the face of the King my Lord, and
not to take by force from the hands of _Zimridi_ of the city of _Sidon_.
Lo! I hear me that he will strive, and has made war with me. Let the King
my Lord send down to me ... chiefs for guards of the city of the King my
Lord; and let me strive (or plead) for the dwellings of the King my Lord,
with those who deceive his gracious countenance. I set my face to
(encourage?) the region of those who are peaceful with the King my Lord;
and let the King my Lord ask his _Paka_ (chief). Lo! I set my face (or,
confirm my intention) forever, O King my Lord. Now a messenger I am
despatching to ... of the King my Lord, and ... the King my Lord the
messenger ... ... his letter ... and may it be the means of ... the King
my Lord ... (that) he sets his face ... forever to ... the face of the
King my Lord. His servant will not let slip ... from (his) hands ... Let
the King my Lord give his countenance ... and (he) shall ... waters for
the drawing ... and woods for his servant.... Know O King my Lord behold
they are plucking the fruit that we left. There are no waters and no woods
for us. Now _Elisaru_ the messenger to the presence of the King my Lord
has hasted, and I have made bold to present five precious things of
copper, this agate, one throne of gold. The King my Lord sends to me
(saying) ‘Send to me all you hear from the land of Canaan’ (_Cina’ana_).
The King of _Danuna_(293) has been destroyed, and his brother is ruling
after him, and his land has broken out, and they have seized the King of
the town of _Hugarit_,(294) and mighty is the slaughter that follows him.
He is strong, and none are saved from him, nor any from the chiefs of the
army of the land of the _Hittites_. The proud _Edagama_(295) of the city
_Ciidzi_ (Kadesh on Orontes, the capital of the Southern Hittites, now
_Kades_) and _Aziru_ have fought—they have fought with _Neboyapiza_; they
have come to the regions of _Zimridi_. Lo! he gathers ships of soldiers
against me from the fortresses of _Aziru_. And lo! they have grievously
opposed my Lord’s subjects, and all will break out. Let the King give
countenance to his servant, and let him leap forth to go out a conqueror”
(or “to the region”).

28 B. M.—“To the King my Lord my Sun my God thus (says) _Abimelec_ thy
servant; seven and seven (times) at the feet of the King my Lord I bow. I
am the dust beneath the feet. Consider me O King my Lord. The King my Lord
(is) like the Sun; like the air god (or Adonis) in heaven art thou. Let
the King advise his servant: the King my Lord confides in me. I watch the
city of _Tyre_ the handmaid of the King. And I send a hasty letter to the
King my Lord, and no order does he return to me. I am the _Paka_(296)
(chief) of the King my Lord, and I have diligently followed what was
ordered. But as to our silence to the King my Lord let the King be
assured. As a subject I guard his city. And let me plead (or strive)
before the King my Lord, and let him see his face. Who shall preserve one
born a subject? Lo there has gone forth no command from the hands of the
King his Lord; and he may not know when the King sends to his servant. He
may never know. As for me ...”

The letter is here too broken to read consecutively. It refers to the
“west,” and apparently to “burning,” to _Aziru_, and to someone, perhaps a
king’s messenger, called _Khabi_. The letter becomes readable on the back
of the tablet.

“... by _Elisaru_ the messenger it is confirmed that the city of _Simyra_
is _Aziru’s_. And is not the King nourished by his city of _Tyre_, by his
country? Lo! if I shall be destroyed the King is destroyed. But thus his
fortress has been wasted, and there has been great fear, and all the lands
have feared; for he has not walked after (_i.e._, obeyed) the King my
Lord. O King know: desolation has remained with me—with the _Paka_ in the
city of _Tyre_. _Zimridi_ is gone to the city _Irib_.(297) He has escaped
from slavery; and there is no water or wood for us; and alas! there is
none remaining to stand up for me. The chief is helpless. And let the King
my Lord advise his servant by a letter he sends to me, whom you thus hear.
And _Zimrida_ of the city of _Sidon_ has sent to the King, and _Aziru_ is
a man sinful against the King, and the chiefs of the city _Arāda_ (Arvad)
destroy me,(298) and (everything is altered?) through their ravages; and
they will gather their ships, their chariots, their foot soldiers, to
seize the city of _Tyre_ the King’s handmaid. She has been very constant
to the King’s hand, and the city of _Tyre_ has been crushed by them. Were
they not violent in taking the city of _Simyra_? They took from the hands
of _Zimrida_ him who bore the King’s order to _Aziru_; and I sent a letter
to the King my Lord, and he returns me not an order for his servant. They
have fought (for a long time?) against me. There are no waters(299) and no
trees. Let there be ordered a letter for his servant, and let me plead,
and let me see his face, and the King ... to his servant, and to his city,
and not ... his city and his land. Why do they ... the King our Lord from
the land, and ... and he has known that I honor the King’s power, who ...
no ... to my letter—a subject before the King my Sun, my Lord; and let the
King answer his servant.”

LETTERS FROM ACCHO

93 B.—_Surata_, chief of _Acca_, sends the usual formula of compliment,
and continues: “What chief is there who when the King his Lord sends to
him will not hear? As this is sent out by desire of the Sun-God from
heaven, so now it is promised him.”

32 B. M., a short letter from _Zitatna_, of Accho, merely says that he
bows seven times and seven times at the King’s feet.

94 B., another short letter by the same, states that he listens to the
King’s wishes.

95 B.—“To the King my Lord my ... the Sun from heaven thus says _Zatatna_
chief of the city of _Acca_, thy servant, the King’s servant, and the dust
at the feet trampled under the feet of the King my Lord—the Sun-God from
heaven: seven times and seven times he bows both heart and body. The King
my Lord shall hear the message of his servant; the woman my wife ... He
has left from ... _Neboyapiza_ ... with _Suta_ ... of the King, in the
city of _Acca_ ... to say anything ... him. She has urged (that) soldiers
of the King my Lord shall go out with her from the city _Magid_ ... No
word is mentioned as to him or explanation before me; and now we two are
sending. My reason (is) to assure her—_Ziza_ the woman my wife—as to
_Neboyapiza_, and she has not slept because of him. Behold the city of
_Acca_ like the city of _Makdani_(300) (is) with the Land of Egypt, and
the King will not refuse ... and will send ... before me, and is it not
that the King my Lord ... his _Paka_, and let him empower him.”

LETTERS FROM HAZOR

48 B. M.—“To the King my Lord by letter thus says _Iebaenu_ (Jabin) chief
of the city _Khazura_ (Hazor) thy servant. At the feet of the King my Lord
I bow, who behold am one of the faithful servants of the King my Lord; and
all those who guard the city of _Hazor_(301) with her fortresses belonging
to the King my Lord; and let him expect this. Let him recall to the King
my Lord all that the city _Hazor_—thy city, and thy servant is made to
suffer.”

47 B. M.—“To the King my Lord thus (says) the King of the city of _Hazor_:
I bow at the feet of my Lord. Lo! I am guarding the fortresses belonging
to the King my Lord, until the arrival of my Lord my God; and lo! I hear
all these messages, and I am departing O Sun-God my God ... and I am being
brought low: the ... that they have taken is increased, and the Gods have
nodded to his revolt over me, and now I am causing all to be despatched
till the coming of the King my Lord. Behold this, lo! they come ... your
envoy ... very much ... my Lord ... safety ... the city of _Hazor_ ...
when the land ... and all ... Lo ... Moreover behold ... and my place ...
with soldiers.”

Unfortunately King Jabin does not mention the nationality of the enemy.
From the Tyre letters he seems to have been an enemy of the Phœnicians,
being perhaps on the side of Aziru; but the date of the present letters is
not fixed by any reference to persons mentioned in the other letters. It
is quite possible that the Hebrews, and not the Hittites, were his foes,
since the Hebrew conquest took place in the lifetime of _Yankhamu_ and
_Suta_, who are noticed in the northern letters also. If he was a friend
of _Aziru’s_, the enemy, though enemies of Egypt, could not well have been
Hittites or Amorites; and the name of the King is that of Joshua’s enemy,
Jabin of Hazor. It is clear that the Egyptians, though expected, were not
in Hazor at the time. The kings of Hazor ruled lower Galilee, where they
had a force of chariots a century later. In Joshua’s time (Josh. xi.)
there were also many chariots in and near Hazor.

It is remarkable that none of the letters from Tell Amarna refer to
central Palestine. There is no mention of any town in lower Galilee or in
Samaria, except Zabuba and Megiddo. Taanach, Shechem, Jezreel, Dothan,
Bethel, and other such places are unnoticed, as well as Heshbon, Medeba,
Rabbath-Ammon, Ramoth Gilead, and other places in Moab and Gilead. The
Egyptians probably had no stations in these wild mountains, where their
chariots could not pass. The Egyptian traveller mentions no town between
Megiddo and Joppa in the time of Rameses II, and no towns in the regions
of Samaria or Gilead or Moab occur in the list of places taken by Thothmes
III; nor were there any stations in the Hebron mountains.(302) On the
other hand, many places in Sharon and Philistia, and in the lower hills to
the east, and in the Negeb hills south of Hebron, were conquered by the
last-mentioned king, and are again mentioned by the traveller of the time
of Rameses II, and these occur in the present letters. We are thus at once
transported to the south of the country.