Among the numerous texts in Jewish script from the Judean desert, only a small number, mostly non-literary texts, are written in a cursive hand, and to this day their script has not been systematically studied. These documents are presented in this collection together with comparative epigraphical material. Three main characteristics of the cursive script make its decipherment particularly difficult: The many variant forms of each letter on one hand, and the resemblance in form of different letters on the other. Ligatures of letters or words often lacking the characteristic features of the individual letters. And the omission of strokes or the change in their form as a result of rapid writing. Due to these difficulties, decipherment is often based on context. Reading texts in cursive script is only achieved through experience and practice, and requires a systematic analysis of the letterforms as well as a thorough examination of their components. The vocabulary of the documents becomes part of Aramaic and Hebrew dictionaries; erroneous readings will introduce false forms and ghost-words. The documents in this book are presented in transcription, translation, facsimile drawings traced from the original, and in alphabetic charts.

This volume continues the series Textbook of Aramaic Documents (TAD) begun with vol. 1, Letters (1986), vol. 2, Contracts (1989), and vol.3 Literature, Accounts, Lists. The standard set by previous volumes is maintained here, and the authors are to be congratulated for producing an edition that, without exaggeration, deserves to be called definitive. Published in 1999, vol. 4 is subtitled Ostraca and Assorted Inscriptions. It is the biggest of the four volumes with 24 chapters, divided as follows: D1-5 Papyrus fragments; D6 Leather fragments; D7-11 Ceramic Inscriptions; D8 Accounts; D9 Lists; D10 Abecedaries; D11 Jars; D12 Stone Plaques; D13 Wooden Plaques; D14 Seals, Bullae, Stamps; D15 Libation Bowls; D16 Statuettes; D17 Dedication stone; D18-21 Funerary Inscriptions; D22 Graffiti; D23 Sheikh Fadl Cave inscription; D24 Aramaica Dubiosa.There are, of course, indices, bibliography and a map along with all the features described in the notice on volume 3.

This volume continues the series Textbook of Aramaic Documents (TAD) begun with vol. 1, Letters (1986), and vol. 2, Contracts (1989). The standard set by previous volumes is maintained here, and the authors are to be congratulated for producing an edition that, without exaggeration, deserves to be called definitive. A final vol. 4 is to appear, "to cover papyrus fragments and inscriptions on potsherds, stone, and wood." Like the preceding volumes, vol. 3 has these central features: first, beautiful new copies of the texts, made with consummate skill, in almost every case from prolonged or repeated consultation of the originals; second, printed transcriptions of the texts; third, accompanying translations into Modern Hebrew and English. Additional components assist the consultation and comprehension of the texts: bibliographies, a foreword and an introduction, excursuses, tables, and charts, including, for example, a foldout with a reconstruction of the original scroll of Ahiqar. There is an economical but extensive glossary (some twenty-four pages) with many of the features of a concordance of words (to be treated at greater length below). As the authors quietly assert (p. vi), there are new readings for almost every piece. The implication is that all previous editions now become outmoded in their most essential function, that of giving a reliable text; in view of the extraordinary care and skill with which Porten and Yardeni have examined and presented the texts, it is unlikely that any future advance in this regard is possible. This edition is in that sense definitive. This edition is elaborate, but one of its many virtues is that the user finds it economical. Each of the many features in this lavish series is directed to a well-defined purpose, and even the bilingual presentation of certain parts (Modern Hebrew and English) is not felt as something overloading the work.

Aramaic texts have been discovered in Egypt since the first decade of the nineteenth century. The first texts discovered were letters (now known as the Padua Papyri). Subsequently, documents of different sorts, literary and contractual, came to light; they were written not only on skin and papyrus but also on ostraca. During the last century and a half, such Aramaic documents have brought to light examples of so-called Imperial or Official Aramaic that provide an important background for the study of Biblical Aramaic. They have been published in many different places, in books, and in articles. Some were well published, others not so well, depending on the pioneering nature of such studies of texts that were only gradually coming to light. Almost seventy years ago A. Cowley collected the then-known texts in a convenient handbook, Aramaic Papyri of the Fifth Century B.C. (Oxford: Clarendon, 1923). Subsequently, other important texts were published by E. G. Kraeling, G. R. Driver, and J. B. Segal. Now Bezalel Porten and Ada Yardeni have undertaken a massive restudy of these important documents. They have consulted the originals, restudied the fragments of texts (sometimes neglected by earlier scholars), made new and more appropriate joints, improved the readings, and translated and interpreted the texts anew. Most important of all, they have provided hand-drawn facsimiles of the documents restudied. In this Porten has been aided by the talented artist, A. Yardeni, who has furnished excellent copies of the texts. Gathered in this second volume are the Bauer-Meissner land lease, 24 documents of the Mibtahiah and Anani archives, 7 deeds of obligation, 6 conveyances, 4 marriage documents, 6 judicial oaths, and 12 court records, in all 58 contractual documents. Accompanying the texts are tables with cross-references to other collections, a general bibliography and another on topography and chronology, and a glossary (which includes names of gods, places, months, and persons in separate lists). Each text or group of texts is briefly introduced and accompanied by an English and Hebrew translation; brief notes call attention to variant readings of other editors. At the end of each text, short specific bibliographical references are supplied. In all, this is an ideal publication, bringing together all that is needed for the study of these contracts. P. and Y. have put scholars and students in their debt.

Aramaic texts have been discovered in Egypt since the first decade of the nineteenth century. The first texts discovered were letters (now known as the Padua Papyri). Subsequently documents of different sorts, literary and contractual, came to light; they were written not only on skin and papyrus, but also on ostraca. During the last century and a half, such Aramaic documents have brought to light examples of so-called Imperial or Official Aramaic that provide an important background for the study of Biblical Aramaic. They have been published in many different places, in books and in articles. Some were well published, others not so well, depending on the pioneer nature of such studies of texts that were only gradually coming to light. Almost seventy years ago A. Cowley collected the then-known texts in a convenient handbook, Aramaic Papyri of the Fifth Century B.C. (Oxford: Clarendon, 1923). subsequently' other important texts were published by E. G. Kraeling, G. R. Driver, and J. B. Segal. Now Bezalel Porten and Ada Yardeni have undertaken a massive restudy of these important documents. They have consulted the originals, restudied the fragments of texts (sometimes neglected by earlier scholars), made new and more appropriate joins, improved the readings, and translated and interpreted the texts anew. Most important of all, they have provided hand-drawn facsimiles of the documents restudied. In this Porten has been aided by the talented artist, A. Yardeni, who has furnished excellent copies of the texts. This volume was published in 1986 . The volume contains fifty letters on papyrus and leather scattered around the world in ten museums and libraries. These are organized into six chapters: the Adon letter; 7 letters discovered at Hermopolis; 11 private letters; 10 letters from the Jedaniah communal archive; 5 official and semi-official letters; 16 letters on parchment of Arsames and his colleagues; and an appendix of 8 Aramaic letters from the Bible. There is a concordance of texts and a brief bibliography.