Peah
Peah is the 2nd chapter of Mishnah & Talmud, after Berakhot. The face-value text is about donations from the פאה pˀh “corners” of a field, with long lists of grains & fruits. But the pun-encrypted text is really about how the rich & powerful conceal their פחה pḥh “nobility”, and the lists are really aristocratic titles & offices! The Peah tractate proves once again that spookery is all about disguising the aristocracy.
Introduction
Like all Talmudic tractates, Peah doesn’t introduce or explain its topic. The implied topic is that landowners should donate the harvest from the פאה pˀh “corners” of each field to the poor. But that is never said explicitly.
The text starts with saying that charitable deeds have no definite measure. So in theory, there shouldn’t be too much legislature about this. But instead the text is a dizzying array of incredibly detailed rules about anything & everything, especially about when and how long the landowner is exempt from taxes, because of his donations. All this doesn’t sound very charitable. It doesn’t even sound religious.
The explanation is of course that the text is pun-encrypted: פאה pˀh “corners” puns with פחה pḥh “nobility” (see ˁAyin ≈ Ḥet). Spookery is simply crypto-aristocracy. And like all other encrypted texts, the Peah tractate is about aristocrats disguising their power. Unlike other texts, it doesn’t explain how the disguise works, but whom and what to disguise.
The giveaway paragraph is 1:5, a lengthy list of arbitrary אילן ˀyln “trees”. This is really a list of אילין ˀylyn “leaders”: Every “tree” listed there puns with some leadership position. Read the full list, and judge yourself!
Other recurring encryption puns are שדה šdh “field” punning with שדה šdh “status”, and מעשר mˁšr “tithe” punning with משרה mšrh “office”. So all vocabulary is fitted to the “field harvest” topic. However, many of the “laws” still don’t make much sense in their literal meaning, but only in the encrypted meaning: They’re really about concealing the “status” and “office” of the “nobility”!
How to read this
- In the interlinear text, each word is shown as a little block; each verse is a paragraph of little blocks.
- Use the Pun Config to choose your level: Beginner for English text only, Intermediate for word-by-word vocabulary, Expert for original text and glyphs.
- Possible pun-encrypted meaning is marked with light red.
- Official meaning is marked with light green.
- Pun vocabulary is in red, whenever the meaning differs. All vocabulary is linked to online dictionaries.
- Please read the introduction, the interchangeability rules, and judge yourself whether I got it right.
- Religious readers should proceed with care.
Nobility and official titles are not forbidden.
As usual with Talmud tractates, the Peah tractate doesn’t introduce or explain its topic. Instead, it starts with the claim that the pˀh “corners” of a field have no šˁr “measure”, that’s probably to say you can donate as much as you want.
So I assume this weird phrase is to encrypt the statement that pḥh “nobility” is not ˀsr “forbidden”. The spooks are right here, nobility is not forbidden. Though it should be. And if the common people had ever known the extent of the nobility’s malice & corruption, it would be.
Some of the other puns for “not forbidden” things here are letter-perfect ones: bkr means “first fruit”, but also “first rank”, and gml-ḥsd means “charity of devotion”, but also “accepted payments”. Generally, official power is not forbidden.
Peah 1:1.a
Encrypted: These [are] things that [are] not by themselves forbidden: [official] nobility, the birthright / to lead, rulership, payments [that are socially] accepted, and oppression [by one’s official] title & rank.
Official: These [are] things that [have] not to them [a definite] measure: corners [of a field], the first fruit, the appearance [in the temple], the charitable [deeds] of devotion, and the study of the Torah.
These [are]
אלו ˀlw: these
אלו ˀlw
אלו ˀlw: these
These [are]
things
דבר dbr: word, thing
דברים dbrym
דבר dbr: word, thing
things
that [are] not
ש־ š-: which; אין ˀyn: no, not
שאין šˀyn
ש־ š-: which; אין ˀyn: no, not
that [have] not
by themselves
להם lhm: to them
להם lhm
להם lhm: to them
to them
forbidden:
אסר ˀsr: forbidden, prohibited
שעור šˁwr
שער šˁr: measure, value
[a definite] measure:
[official] nobility,
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
הפאה hpˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
corners [of a field],
the birthright / to lead,
בכר bkr: first, birthright, lead; בכרא bkrˀ: first rank
והבכורים whbkwrym
בכר bkr: first fruits; ־ים -ym: (plural)
the first fruit,
rulership,
רעה rˁh: ruler, lead, guide
והראיון whrˀywn
ראי rˀy: appear, appearance
the appearance [in the temple],
payments
גמל gml: pay, reward
וגמילות wgmylwt
גמל gml: kind, charitable
the charitable [deeds]
[that are socially] accepted,
חסד ḥsd: favor, acceptance
חסדים ḥsdym
חסד ḥsd: devotion
of devotion,
and oppression
טלומותא ṭlwmwtˀ: oppression, tyranny
ותלמוד wtlmwd
תלמוד tlmwd: Talmud, study
and the study
[by one’s official] title & rank.
תאר tˀr: title, degree, rank
תורה twrh
תורה twrh: Torah
of the Torah.
But profits of suspicious dealings must be consumed in the hidden world.
Here come the things for which the larger part can only be consumed in the “other world”. For faithfuls, that is the ˁwlm-hbˀ “world to come”, i.e. the afterlife. For the spook aristocrats, it’s their own ˁwlm-ḥbˀ “hidden world”, that they have shielded from public view.
The fruits of what things may a spook not consume publicly? It’s kbd-ˀb-w-ˀm “the wealth of father & mother”, gml-ḥsd “shameful payments”, and šlwm-byn-ˀdm-l-ḥbr “payments between a man and his associates”. Basically, all profits that aristocrats make by misusing their official offices, and their family relationships.
Peah 1:1.b
Encrypted: [By contrast,] these [are] things [for] which a man [can] consume [some] profits in the world this one, but [for which] the principal [must] remain to them in the world that is hidden: the riches of [one’s] father and mother, payments [that are] shameful & suspect, and bringing payments & bribes between a man and his associate. And [such] secrets, having [them] breached [is] like confessing them all.
Official: [By contrast,] these [are] things [for] which a man [can] consume the fruits in the world this one, but [for which] the principal remains to them in the world that is to come: Honoring [one’s] father and mother, the charitable [deeds] of devotion, and bringing peace between a man and his friend. And the study of the Torah extends [?] [to] them all.
[By contrast,] these [are]
אלו ˀlw: these
אלו ˀlw
אלו ˀlw: these
[By contrast,] these [are]
things
דבר dbr: word, thing
דברים dbrym
דבר dbr: word, thing
things
[for] which a man
ש־ š-: which; אדם ˀdm: man
שאדם šˀdm
ש־ š-: which; אדם ˀdm: man
[for] which a man
[can] consume
אכל ˀkl: consume
אוכל ˀwkl
אכל ˀkl: consume
[can] consume
[some] profits
פרות prwt: profit
פרותיהן prwtyhn
פרות prwt: fruit
the fruits
in the world
ב־ b-: in; עולם ˁwlm: world
בעולם bˁwlm
ב־ b-: in; עולם ˁwlm: world
in the world
this one,
זה zh: this
הזה hzh
זה zh: this
this one,
but [for which] the principal
קרן qrn: principal
והקרן whqrn
קרן qrn: principal
but [for which] the principal
[must] remain
קום qwm: stand, remain
קימת qymt
קום qwm: stand, remain
remains
to them
לו lw: to him
לו lw
לו lw: to him
to them
in the world
ל־ l-: to; עולם ˁwlm: world
לעולם lˁwlm
ל־ l-: to; עולם ˁwlm: world
in the world
that is hidden:
חבא ḥbˀ: conceal, hide, hidden
הבא hbˀ
הבא hbˀ: bring, come
that is to come:
the riches
כבד kbd: rich, make rich; כבדה kbdh: wealth, riches
כבוד kbwd
כבד kbd: heavy, honor
Honoring
of [one’s] father
אב ˀb: father
אב ˀb
אב ˀb: father
[one’s] father
and mother,
אם ˀm: mother
ואם wˀm
אם ˀm: mother
and mother,
payments
גמל gml: pay, reward
וגמילות wgmylwt
גמל gml: kind, charitable
the charitable [deeds]
[that are] shameful & suspect,
חסד ḥsd: shame; חשד ḥšd: suspect, suspicion
חסדים ḥsdym
חסד ḥsd: devotion
of devotion,
and bringing
בוא bwˀ: come, bring
והבאת whbˀt
בוא bwˀ: come, bring
and bringing
payments & bribes
שלום šlwm: reward, payment, bribe
שלום šlwm
שלום šlwm: peace
peace
between
בין byn: between, among
בין byn
בין byn: between, among
between
a man
אדם ˀdm: man
אדם ˀdm
אדם ˀdm: man
a man
and his associate.
ל־ l-: to; חבר ḥbr: friend, partner, associate
לחברו lḥbrw
ל־ l-: to; חבר ḥbr: friend, partner, associate
and his friend.
And [such] secrets,
תעלומה tˁlwmh: hidden, secret; ־ות -wt: (suffix)
ותלמוד wtlmwd
תלמוד tlmwd: Talmud, study
And the study
having [them] breached
תורע twrˁ: breaking through; תריע tryˁ: breach, breached
תורה twrh
תורה twrh: Torah
of the Torah
[is] like confessing
כ־ k-: like, as; נגד ngd: confess, declare, announce, testify
כנגד kngd
כ־ k-: like, as; נגד ngd: stretch, extend, rule
extends [?]
them all.
כל kl: all; ־ם -m: them
כלם klm
כל kl: all; ־ם -m: them
[to] them all.
Hide your rank according to the poor people’s suffering.
Here they say that donations must be done according to the “number of poor people”, and accoring to the “greatness of their suffering”. That is correct for aristocratic disguises as well: If they rule many poor people, and those people suffer greatly, it would spell trouble for the aristocrats if their subjects knew how much profit they rake in through their corrupt dealings, on top of their official earnings. That’s why spookery was invented. Spookery is keeping one’s true power & wealth a secret.
Peah 1:2
Encrypted: [So one should] not let break through [one’s] nobility [rank] [just] out of flattery & pride. And even though by commandment [it is] said [that it is] not [being] a noble / governor forbidden, everything [must be done] according [to] the greatness of [one’s] office & status, and according to [how] numerous [are] the poor people [under one’s rule], and according to [how] great [is] [their] suffering [under one’s rule].
Official: [One should] not lessen the corner [of the field] [to less] than one-sixtieth [??]. And even though by commandment [it is] said [that there is] not to the corner [of the field] a [definite] measure, everything [must be done] according [to] the greatness of the field, and according to [how] numerous [are] the poor people [living off it], and according to [how] great [is] [their] suffering.
[So one should] not
אין ˀyn: no, not
אין ˀyn
אין ˀyn: no, not
[One should] not
let break through
פחת pḥt: penetrate, broken through
פוחתין pwḥtyn
פחת pḥt: lessen, diminish
lessen
[one’s] nobility [rank]
ל־ l-: to; פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
לפאה lpˀh
ל־ l-: to; פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
the corner [of the field]
[just] out of flattery & pride.
מ־ m-: from, out of; שוש šwš: flatter; זוזי zwzy: pride, boast; ־ים -ym: (plural)
מששים mššym
מ־ m-: than; שש šš: six; ־ים -ym: (plural)
[to less] than one-sixtieth [??].
And even though
אף ˀp: even, though
ואף wˀp
אף ˀp: even, though
And even though
by
על ˁl: about, to
על ˁl
על ˁl: about, to
by
commandment
פה ph: speech, saying, command
פי py
פה ph: speech, saying, command
commandment
[it is] said
ש־ š-: which; אמר ˀmr: say
שאמרו šˀmrw
ש־ š-: which; אמר ˀmr: say
[it is] said
[that it is] not
אין ˀyn: no, not
אין ˀyn
אין ˀyn: no, not
[that there is] not
[being] a noble / governor
ל־ l-: to; פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
לפאה lpˀh
ל־ l-: to; פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
to the corner [of the field]
forbidden,
אסר ˀsr: forbidden, prohibited
שעור šˁwr
שעור šˁwr: measure, quantity
a [definite] measure,
everything
כל kl: all, everything
הכל hkl
כל kl: all, everything
everything
[must be done] according
לפי lpy: according to
לפי lpy
לפי lpy: according to
[must be done] according
[to] the greatness
גדל gdl: greatness
גדל gdl
גדל gdl: greatness
[to] the greatness
of [one’s] office & status,
שדה šdh: position, office, status
השדה hšdh
שדה šdh: field, land
of the field,
and according to
לפי lpy: according to
ולפי wlpy
לפי lpy: according to
and according to
[how] numerous [are]
רב rb: great, much, many, numerous
רב rb
רב rb: great, much, many, numerous
[how] numerous [are]
the poor people [under one’s rule],
עני ˁny: poor; ־ים -ym: (plural)
העניים hˁnyym
עני ˁny: poor; ־ים -ym: (plural)
the poor people [living off it],
and according to
לפי lpy: according to
ולפי wlpy
לפי lpy: according to
and according to
[how] great [is]
רב rb: great, much, many, numerous
רב rb
רב rb: great, much, many, numerous
[how] great [is]
[their] suffering [under one’s rule].
ענה ˁnh: poor, suffer, oppressed
הענוה hˁnwh
ענה ˁnh: poor, suffer, oppressed
[their] suffering.
Nobility may only be revealed from the lower & middle ranks.
Here the official text says you may give from the beginning, middle, but not the end of the šdh “field”. There are no matching puns, so I assume the spook words are the same: If a spook publicly reveals himself to be of noble šdh “status”, then he may only reveal to be from the lower, middle, but not the upper end of the aristocratic ladder.
The last part about the mšwm-h-pqr “viewpoint of being abandoned” may mean that if a spook may only reveal his aristocratic roots when publicly claiming he has “renounced” all the privileges (while of course he really hasn’t), or he has to smk “prop things up” in some other way.
Peah 1:3
Encrypted: [One may] show [to be] a nobleman from the initiate [ranks] of [aristocratic] status, or from the middle [ranks]. Lord Shimon says: [Only] on the condition that [one would also?] show to be [from the upper] end according to the prohibitions. Lord Yehudah says: If [one] leaves [such] a revelation of nobility / [just] one, [then one must somehow] prop it up on this from the point of view [that it was simply] an error. And if not, [then one does] not show [it], [or] only from the point of view [of claiming] to have renounced [the privileges].
Official: [One may] give [from] the corners [of the field] from the beginning of [the harvest of] the field, or from the middle. Rabbi Shimon says: [Only] on the condition that [one] gives at the end according to the quantity. Rabbi Yehudah says: If [one] leaves a stalk [just] one, [then one can] rely on this from the point of view [of fulfilling the law about] the corners [of the field]. And if not, [then one does] not give, [but] only from the point of view [of fulfilling the law about] ownerless [produce?].
[One may] show
נתן ntn: show, display
נותנין nwtnyn
נתן ntn: give
[One may] give
[to be] a nobleman
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
[from] the corners [of the field]
from the initiate [ranks]
מ־ m-: from; תחל tḥl: begin, initiate
מתחלת mtḥlt
מ־ m-: from; תחל tḥl: begin, initiate
from the beginning
of [aristocratic] status,
שדה šdh: position, office, status
השדה hšdh
שדה šdh: field, land
of [the harvest of] the field,
or from the middle [ranks].
מ־ m-: from; אמצע ˀmṣˁ: middle
ומאמצעה wmˀmṣˁh
מ־ m-: from; אמצע ˀmṣˁ: middle
or from the middle.
Lord
רב rb: lord, master, noble
רבי rby
רבי rby: rabbi
Rabbi
Shimon
שמעון šmˁwn: Shimon
שמעון šmˁwn
שמעון šmˁwn: Shimon
Shimon
says:
אמר ˀmr: say
אומר ˀwmr
אמר ˀmr: say
says:
[Only] on the condition
בלבד blbd: alone, on condition
ובלבד wblbd
בלבד blbd: alone, on condition
[Only] on the condition
that [one would also?] show
ש־ š-: that; נתן ntn: show, display
שיתן šytn
ש־ š-: that; נתן ntn: give
that [one] gives
to be [from the upper] end
ב־ b-: in; סוף swp: end
בסוף bswp
ב־ b-: in; סוף swp: end
at the end
according to the prohibitions.
כ־ k-: as; אסר ˀsr: forbidden, prohibited
כשעור kšˁwr
כ־ k-: as; שעור šˁwr: measure, quantity
according to the quantity.
Lord
רב rb: lord, master, noble
רבי rby
רבי rby: rabbi
Rabbi
Yehudah
יהודה yhwdh: Yehudah
יהודה yhwdh
יהודה yhwdh: Yehudah
Yehudah
says:
אמר ˀmr: say
אומר ˀwmr
אמר ˀmr: say
says:
If
אם ˀm: if
אם ˀm
אם ˀm: if
If
[one] leaves
שיר šyr: leave over, reserve
שיר šyr
שיר šyr: leave over, reserve
[one] leaves
[such] a revelation
גלח glḥ: stretch out, reveal
קלח qlḥ
קלח qlḥ: stem, stalk
a stalk
of nobility / [just] one,
אחד ˀḥd: command, rule; אחידא ˀḥydˀ: nobleman
אחד ˀḥd
אחד ˀḥd: one
[just] one,
[then one must somehow] prop it up
סמך smk: support, prop up, back up, rescue
סומך swmk
סמך smk: uphold, rely
[then one can] rely
on this
לו lw: to him
לו lw
לו lw: to him
on this
from the point of view
משום mšwm: from point of view
משום mšwm
משום mšwm: from point of view
from the point of view
[that it was simply] an error.
פהיו phyw: error
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
[of fulfilling the law about] the corners [of the field].
And if
אם ˀm: if
ואם wˀm
אם ˀm: if
And if
not,
לא lˀ: not
לאו lˀw
לא lˀ: not
not,
[then one does] not
אין ˀyn: no, not
אינו ˀynw
אין ˀyn: no, not
[then one does] not
show [it],
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
give,
[or] only
אלא ˀlˀ: only
אלא ˀlˀ
אלא ˀlˀ: only
[but] only
from the point of view
משום mšwm: from point of view
משום mšwm
משום mšwm: from point of view
from the point of view
[of claiming] to have renounced [the privileges].
פקר pqr: abandoned, forfeit, irreverent, renounce
הפקר hpqr
פקר pqr: free, ownerless
[of fulfilling the law about] ownerless [produce?].
Nobility laws concern all who stand above the masses, even inferiors.
Here they say that these laws apply to all that gdl-mn-ˀrṣ “grow from the land”, but that phrase puns with gdl-mn-rṣṣ “being greater than the oppressed”. So all who are greater than the oppressed are included, even minor offices. In the explanation that follows, the spooks use their number 1 pun: ˀḥd “one” puns with ˀḥd “ruler” in Aramaic spelling.
Peah 1:4
Encrypted: Generally [it is] said: [As for the definition of] nobility, all who have power, or are guardians, or are greater / more dignified than the oppressed [folk], or collecting [taxes?] like a noble / ruler, or receiving an [official] position, [they are] legally subject to [the law about] nobility. [Even] followers and inferiors are generally in this [category].
Official: Generally [it is] said: [As for the law about] the corners [of the field], all that [is] [to] food and is guarded and grows from the land, and is harvested as one [field], and is stored for storage, [it is] legally obligated to [the law about] the corners [of the field]. Grain and legumes are generally in this [category].
Generally
כלל kll: all, general
כלל kll
כלל kll: all, general
Generally
[it is] said:
אמר ˀmr: say
אמרו ˀmrw
אמר ˀmr: say
[it is] said:
[As for the definition of] nobility,
ב־ b-: among; פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
בפאה bpˀh
ב־ b-: in; פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
[As for the law about] the corners [of the field],
all
כל kl: all
כל kl
כל kl: all
all
who
ש־ š-: who; הוא hwˀ: he, who
שהוא šhwˀ
ש־ š-: that; הוא hwˀ: he, it, who
that [is]
have power,
יכל ykl: have power, entrust, empowered
אכל ˀkl
אכל ˀkl: consume, food
[to] food
or are guardians,
נ־ n-: make; שמר šmr: keep, guard, protect
ונשמר wnšmr
נ־ n-: make; שמר šmr: keep, guard, protect
and is guarded
or are greater / more dignified
גדל gdl: greatness, dignity, majesty
וגדוליו wgdwlyw
גדל gdl: becoming great, growing
and grows
than
מן mn: than
מן mn
מן mn: from
from
the oppressed [folk],
רצץ rṣṣ: oppress, oppressed
הארץ hˀrṣ
ארץ ˀrṣ: land, ground
the land,
or collecting [taxes?]
לקט lqṭ: harvest, collect
ולקיטתו wlqyṭtw
לקט lqṭ: harvest, collect
and is harvested
like a noble / ruler,
כ־ k-: like; אחד ˀḥd: command, rule; אחידא ˀḥydˀ: nobleman
כאחת kˀḥt
כ־ k-: as; אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
as one [field],
or receiving
מ־ m-: of; כנס kns: enter, receive
ומכניסו wmknysw
מכנס mkns: storing up, stock
and is stored
an [official] position,
ל־ l-: to; קום qwm: station, position
לקיום lqywm
ל־ l-: to; קום qwm: stand, last, remain
for storage,
[they are] legally subject
חוב ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
חיב ḥyb
חוב ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
[it is] legally obligated
to [the law about] nobility.
ב־ b-: among; פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
בפאה bpˀh
ב־ b-: in; פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
to [the law about] the corners [of the field].
[Even] followers
תבועא tbwˁˀ: supporter, tax-gatherer; תבעא tbˁˀ: follower
והתבואה whtbwˀh
תבואה tbwˀh: grain, provision
Grain
and inferiors
קטן qṭn: small, inferior
והקטניות whqṭnywt
קיטני qyṭny: legumes
and legumes
are generally in
ב־ b-: in; כלל kll: all, general
בכלל bkll
ב־ b-: in; כלל kll: all, general
are generally in
this [category].
זה zh: this
הזה hzh
זה zh: this
this [category].
Leaders in this sense are nobles, but also treasurers and tax-collectors.
Here comes one of those “lengthy lists of arbitrary things” that you often find in ancient encrypted texts.
The authors say that this law also applies to ˀyln “trees”, namely ˀwg “sumacs”, ḥrb “carobs”, ˀgwz “nuts”, šqd “almonds”, gpn “grapevines”, rmwn “pomegranates”, zyt “olives”, and tmr “dates”. But if it’s a law about the corners of a field, why does it apply to trees? And if it applies to trees, why not just say “applies to all trees”?
The solution is that this list is an encryption for ˀylyn “leaders”, namely ˀwgyn “nobles”, qrb “military”, gwz “eunuchs”, sqṭ “tax-collectors”, gbynˀ “creditors”, rmyn “high ranks”, zhywtˀ “distinguished ones”, and ṭmr “treasurers”.
Unlike the official list, the spook list is not a contradiction to the previous section, but complements it: Rulership does not only include nobility in the strict sense, but all positions of power, even the lower ones. (Tax collectors are also specifically mentioned as an example in the 12 tribes parable.) So the laws of spookery cover all such positions, which are listed here.
Whenever you encounter seemingly arbitrary things listed together for no good reason, be suspicious. It might be an encryption.
Peah 1:5
Encrypted: Among leaders: nobility, [high-level] military, [court] eunuchs, tax collectors, creditors, high-ranking [people], distinguished / noble [ones], and treasurers are legally obligated to [the laws] of nobility.
Official: Among trees: sumac, carobs, nuts, almonds, grapevines, pomegranates, olives and date palms are legally obligated to [the law] of corners [of the field].
Among leaders:
ב־ b-: among; איל ˀyl: leader, chief, despot, power; ־ין -yn: (plural)
ובאילן wbˀyln
ב־ b-: among; אילן ˀyln: tree
Among trees:
nobility,
אוגין ˀwgyn: noble
האוג hˀwg
אוג ˀwg: sumac
sumac,
[high-level] military,
חרב ḥrb: sword; קרביא qrbyˀ: military
והחרובין whḥrwbyn
חרב ḥrb: carob
carobs,
[court] eunuchs,
גוז gwz: cut off, eunuch
והאגוזים whˀgwzym
אגוז ˀgwz: nut
nuts,
tax collectors,
סקט sqṭ: lictor, collector of taxes
והשקדים whšqdym
שקד šqd: almond
almonds,
creditors,
גבינא gbynˀ: collector; גבי gby: creditor, lictor, tax-gatherer; ־ן -n: (suffix)
והגפנים whgpnym
גפן gpn: vine, tendril
grapevines,
high-ranking [people],
רם rm: elevated, supreme, high, high-ranking; ־ין -yn: (plural)
והרמונים whrmwnym
רמון rmwn: pomegranate
pomegranates,
distinguished / noble [ones],
זהיותא zhywtˀ: nobility; זיותן zywtn: distinguished, noble, imposing
והזיתים whzytym
זית zyt: olive
olives
and treasurers
טמר ṭmr: hidden wealth; טמרא ṭmrˀ: treasure
והתמרים whtmrym
תמר tmr: date palm
and date palms
are legally obligated
חוב ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
חיבין ḥybyn
חוב ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
are legally obligated
to [the laws] of nobility.
ב־ b-: among; פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
בפאה bpˀh
ב־ b-: in; פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
to [the law] of corners [of the field].
He who admits his nobility is excluded from office, until it is smoothened up.
The literal text says that when you are donating, then you are excluded from mˁšr “tithing”, until the harvest stack has been mrḥ “smoothened”, i.e. finished.
The spook text says that when a spook is permitted to reveal his nobility, then he is excluded from mšrh “government offices”, until things have been mrḥ “smoothened up”, i.e. covered up so that the public doesn’t understand he got his office through aristocratic nepotism.
Peah 1:6.a
Encrypted: Always [may] one show [it] from the point of view [of an individual?] nobleman, but then be excluded from government offices, until [things] have been smoothened & plastered up. [If one] shows [it] [even] from the point of view [of claiming] to have renounced [the privileges], [then one] is excluded from government offices, until [things] have been smoothened & plastered up. [If one] reveals [it] to [human] cattle, to farmers, or to workers, then [one] is excluded from government offices, until [things] have been smoothened & plastered up.
Official: Always [may] one give [from the corners?] from the point of view [of the law about] the corners [of the field], and be exempt from tithing, until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]. [If one] gives from the point of view [of the law about] ownerless [produce?], [then one] is exempt from tithing, until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]. [One may] feed cattle, wild beasts and birds, and is exempt from tithing, until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
Always
לעולם lˁwlm: always
לעולם lˁwlm
לעולם lˁwlm: always
Always
[may] one
הוא hwˀ: he
הוא hwˀ
הוא hwˀ: he
[may] one
show [it]
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
give [from the corners?]
from the point of view
משום mšwm: from point of view
משום mšwm
משום mšwm: from point of view
from the point of view
[of an individual?] nobleman,
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
[of the law about] the corners [of the field],
but then be excluded
פטר pṭr: dismiss, remove
ופטור wpṭwr
פטר pṭr: exempt, free
and be exempt
from
מן mn: from
מן mn
מן mn: from
from
government offices,
משרה mšrh: rule, government, office
המעשרות hmˁšrwt
מעשר mˁšr: tithe
tithing,
until
עד ˁd: until
עד ˁd
עד ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened & plastered up.
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
שימרח šymrḥ
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
[If one] shows [it]
נתן ntn: show, display
ונותן wnwtn
נתן ntn: give
[If one] gives
[even] from the point of view
משום mšwm: from point of view
משום mšwm
משום mšwm: from point of view
from the point of view
[of claiming] to have renounced [the privileges],
פקר pqr: abandoned, forfeit, irreverent, renounce
הפקר hpqr
פקר pqr: free, ownerless
[of the law about] ownerless [produce?],
[then one] is excluded
פטר pṭr: dismiss, remove
ופטור wpṭwr
פטר pṭr: exempt, free
[then one] is exempt
from
מן mn: from
מן mn
מן mn: from
from
government offices,
משרה mšrh: rule, government, office
המעשרות hmˁšrwt
מעשר mˁšr: tithe
tithing,
until
עד ˁd: until
עד ˁd
עד ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened & plastered up.
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
שימרח šymrḥ
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
[If one] reveals [it]
מ־ m-: of; גלא glˀ: reveal; גלע glˁ: disclose, lay open
ומאכיל wmˀkyl
מ־ m-: of; אכל ˀkl: eat, food, feed
[One may] feed
to [human] cattle,
ל־ l-: to; בהם bhm: dumb, servant
לבהמה lbhmh
ל־ l-: to; בהמה bhmh: cattle
cattle,
to farmers,
ל־ l-: to; חואי ḥwˀy: farmer
ולחיה wlḥyh
ל־ l-: to; חיה ḥyh: beast
wild beasts
or to workers,
ל־ l-: to; עוף ˁwp: weak; עיף ˁyp: working
ולעופות wlˁwpwt
ל־ l-: to; עוף ˁwp: wing, bird
and birds,
then [one] is excluded
פטר pṭr: dismiss, remove
ופטור wpṭwr
פטר pṭr: exempt, free
and is exempt
from
מן mn: from
מן mn
מן mn: from
from
government offices,
משרה mšrh: rule, government, office
המעשרות hmˁšrwt
מעשר mˁšr: tithe
tithing,
until
עד ˁd: until
עד ˁd
עד ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened & plastered up.
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
שימרח šymrḥ
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
He who takes a wife from the plebs is excluded from office, exept the highest ranks.
Here the literal text says that if someone nṭl “takes” from the grn “threshing floor”, he is excluded from mˁšr “tithing”, until the stack is mrḥ “smoothened”. The only exeption are khn “priests” and lwy “Levites”.
The spook text says that when a spook nṭl “marries” someone from the grˁwn “servants”, then he is excluded from mšrh “government offices”, presumably because his spouse might find out things and could tell her common-birth family. The only exeption here are khn “rulers” and ˁlyw “majesties”, because the top-level corruptocrats are of course above all laws.
Peah 1:6.b
Encrypted: [If one] was takes [as a wife] [one] from the servants for offspring, [then one] is excluded from government offices, until [things] have been smoothened & plastered up. [Those are] the words of lord Akiva. [Only if] a ruler or a supreme majesty takes as a wife a servant [girl], [then their] office is [still] theirs until [things] have been smoothened & plastered up. [And when] a betrothed is divorced, [then one is again] deserving of [one’s] office, as long as [things] have been smoothened & plastered up [by one’s] superiors.
Official: [If one] takes from the threshing floor for [having] seeds, [then one] is exempt from tithing, until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]. [Those are] the words of rabbi Akiva. [If] a priest or Levite buys [?] [produce from?] a threshing floor, [then] the tithe is theirs [to pay?] until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]. [If one had] dedicated [one’s produce to the temple??] but sells [it?], [then one is] legally obligated for tithing until [the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished] [by] the treasurer [of the temple???].
[If one] was takes [as a wife]
נטל nṭl: carry away, marry
ונוטל wnwṭl
נטל nṭl: receive, take
[If one] takes
[one] from
מן mn: from
מן mn
מן mn: from
from
the servants
גרעון grˁwn: servant
הגרן hgrn
גרן grn: threshing floor, barn
the threshing floor
for offspring,
זרע zrˁ: semen, offspring, sexual potential
וזורע wzwrˁ
זרע zrˁ: seed
for [having] seeds,
[then one] is excluded
פטר pṭr: dismiss, remove
ופטור wpṭwr
פטר pṭr: exempt, free
[then one] is exempt
from
מן mn: from
מן mn
מן mn: from
from
government offices,
משרה mšrh: rule, government, office
המעשרות hmˁšrwt
מעשר mˁšr: tithe
tithing,
until
עד ˁd: until
עד ˁd
עד ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened & plastered up.
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
שימרח šymrḥ
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
[Those are] the words
דבר dbr: word
דברי dbry
דבר dbr: word
[Those are] the words
of lord
רב rb: lord, master, noble
רבי rby
רבי rby: rabbi
of rabbi
Akiva.
עקיבא ˁqybˀ: Akiva
עקיבא ˁqybˀ
עקיבא ˁqybˀ: Akiva
Akiva.
[Only if] a ruler
כהן khn: stationed, officer, prince, ruler
כהן khn
כהן khn: priest
[If] a priest
or a supreme majesty
עליו ˁlyw: majesty; עלי ˁly: higher, supreme
ולוי wlwy
לוי lwy: Levite
or Levite
takes as a wife
ש־ š-: make; לקיחה lqyḥh: taking to wife, marrying
שלקחו šlqḥw
ש־ š-: make; לקח lqḥ: take, buy
buys [?]
את ˀt: to
את ˀt
את ˀt: to
a servant [girl],
גרעון grˁwn: servant, beneath one’s dignity
הגרן hgrn
גרן grn: threshing floor, barn
[produce from?] a threshing floor,
[then their] office
מעשר mˁšr: tithe
המעשרות hmˁšrwt
מעשר mˁšr: tithe
[then] the tithe
is [still] theirs
ש־ š-: which; להם lhm: to them
שלהם šlhm
ש־ š-: which; להם lhm: to them
is theirs [to pay?]
until
עד ˁd: until
עד ˁd
עד ˁd: until
until
[things] have been smoothened & plastered up.
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
שימרח šymrḥ
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished].
[And when] a betrothed
מקדש mqdš: betrothed
המקדיש hmqdyš
מקדש mqdš: dedicated, consecrated
[If one had] dedicated [one’s produce to the temple??]
is divorced,
פדה pdh: release, liberate, cut loose
ופודה wpwdh
פדה pdh: sell, redeem
but sells [it?],
[then one is again] deserving
חיב ḥyb: deserving, liable
חיב ḥyb
חוב ḥwb: obligated, legally bound
[then one is] legally obligated
of [one’s] office,
ב־ b-: with; משרה mšrh: rule, government, office
במעשרות bmˁšrwt
ב־ b-: with; מעשר mˁšr: tithe
for tithing
as long as
עד ˁd: until, while, as long as
עד ˁd
עד ˁd: until, while, as long as
until
[things] have been smoothened & plastered up
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smear, plaster
שימרח šymrḥ
ש־ š-: make; מרח mrḥ: smooth, smoothen pile of grain, finish
[the stack of produce] has been smoothened [finished]
[by one’s] superiors.
גזברא gzbrˀ: commander, steward
הגזבר hgzbr
גזבר gzbr: manager, treasurer
[by] the treasurer [of the temple???].
Possession, ranks and succession should be separated off.
Peah 2:1.a
This paragraph lists things that “separate” a field for taxation purposes, most notably drk “roads”, šbyl “paths”, and zrˁ “seeds”.
The encrypted meaning is probably that profits must be “separated” in the public view from nepotist connections, namely drg “ranks” of nobility, šbl “leadership” titles, and being zrˁ “offspring” of some corrupt bigwig.
Encrypted: These [should be] separated off [from public view] for the nobility: possession & inheritance, ruling & dominion, a rank [that] is hidden, a rank [that] is public, leadership [that] is public, [even] leadership [that] is hidden, [if one is] permanently among the people observing and among the people being a spy, being offspring [of someone] prosperous, and being offspring of a nobleman.
Official: These divide [a field] for corner [donations]: a stream, a pond, a road of one [person], a road of many [persons], a path of many [persons], [even] a path of [just] one [person], [if it is] permanently [used] in times of heat and in times of rains, a field [that is] ploughed, and seed [that is] different.
These
אלו ˀlw: these
ואלו wˀlw
אלו ˀlw: these
These
[should be] separated off [from public view]
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: cut off, sever connection
מפסיקין mpsyqyn
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: divide, split, separate
divide [a field]
for the nobility:
ל־ l-: for; פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
לפאה lpˀh
ל־ l-: for; פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
for corner [donations]:
possession & inheritance,
נחל nḥl: possession, inherit; נחלה nḥlh: right of succession
הנחל hnḥl
נחל nḥl: torrent, stream
a stream,
ruling & dominion,
שליט šlyṭ: ruler, commander; שלט šlṭ: rule, master, dominion
והשלולית whšlwlyt
שלולית šlwlyt: pool, pond
a pond,
a rank
דרגא drgˀ: degree, rank, status, office
ודרך wdrk
דרך drk: way, road
a road
[that] is hidden,
אחד ˀḥd: closed up, hidden
היחיד hyḥyd
אחד ˀḥd: one
of one [person],
a rank
דרגא drgˀ: degree, rank, status, office
ודרך wdrk
דרך drk: way, road
a road
[that] is public,
רבים rbym: public
הרבים hrbym
רבים rbym: many people
of many [persons],
leadership
שבל šbl: lead, leader
ושביל wšbyl
שביל šbyl: way, path
a path
[that] is public,
רבים rbym: public
הרבים hrbym
רבים rbym: many people
of many [persons],
[even] leadership
שבל šbl: lead, leader
ושביל wšbyl
שביל šbyl: way, path
[even] a path
[that] is hidden,
אחד ˀḥd: closed up, hidden
היחיד hyḥyd
אחד ˀḥd: one
of [just] one [person],
[if one is] permanently
קבוע qbwˁ: permanent
הקבוע hqbwˁ
קבוע qbwˁ: permanent
[if it is] permanently [used]
among the people
ב־ b-: among; עם ˁm: people
בימות bymwt
ב־ b-: in; יום ywm: time
in times
observing
חמה ḥmh: see, observe
החמה hḥmh
חמה ḥmh: heat
of heat
and among the people
ב־ b-: among; עם ˁm: people
ובימות wbymwt
ב־ b-: in; יום ywm: time
and in times
being a spy,
גשש gšš: spy, scout; ־ים -ym: (plural)
הגשמים hgšmym
גשם gšm: rain; ־ים -ym: (plural)
of rains,
being offspring
בר br: son, offspring
והבור whbwr
בר br: field
a field
[of someone] prosperous,
ניר nyr: splendor, prosperity; נאור nˀwr: glorious
והניר whnyr
ניר nyr: broken, ploughed
[that is] ploughed,
and being offspring
זרע zrˁ: offspring, family
וזרע wzrˁ
זרע zrˁ: seed
and seed
of a nobleman.
חר ḥr: nobleman
אחר ˀḥr
אחר ˀḥr: different, other
[that is] different.
Simple oppression must only be separated if it really has to be secret.
Here’s a dispute whether šḥt “fodder” must always be “separated”, or only if it’s ḥrš “plowed”. This really makes no sense.
The encrypted text probably says that šḥt “oppression” only needs to be “separated” if there’s a need for special ḥrš “secrecy”.
Peah 2:1.b
Encrypted: [If one] harvests [by simple] corruption & squeezing out [the people], [then that must be] separated off, says lord Meir. But the advisors say: [It does] not [have to] be separated off, except if [it] [must be done] secretly.
Official: [If one] harvests for [animal] fodder, [then that field] divides [the others?], says rabbi Meir. But the sages say: [It does] not divide, except if [it] is plowed.
[If one] harvests
קצר qṣr: cut, harvest
והקוצר whqwṣr
קצר qṣr: cut, harvest
[If one] harvests
[by simple] corruption & squeezing out [the people],
ל־ l-: for; שחת šḥt: corruption; שחט šḥṭ: corrupt, squeeze, press out
לשחת lšḥt
ל־ l-: for; שחת šḥt: green fodder
for [animal] fodder,
[then that must be] separated off,
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
מפסיק mpsyq
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: divide, split, separate
[then that field] divides [the others?],
says
דבר dbr: say, word
דברי dbry
דבר dbr: say, word
says
lord
רב rb: lord, master, noble
רבי rby
רבי rby: rabbi
rabbi
Meir.
מאיר mˀyr: Meir
מאיר mˀyr
מאיר mˀyr: Meir
Meir.
But the advisors
חכם ḥkm: wise, advisor
וחכמים wḥkmym
חכם ḥkm: wise, advisor
But the sages
say:
אמר ˀmr: say
אומרים ˀwmrym
אמר ˀmr: say
say:
[It does] not [have to]
אין ˀyn: no, not
אינו ˀynw
אין ˀyn: no, not
[It does] not
be separated off,
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
מפסיק mpsyq
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: divide, split, separate
divide,
except
אלא ˀlˀ: except, but, only
אלא ˀlˀ
אלא ˀlˀ: except, but, only
except
if
אם ˀm: if
אם ˀm
אם ˀm: if
if
[it]
כן kn: thus
כן kn
כן kn: thus
[it]
[must be done] secretly.
חרש ḥrš: silently, secretly
חרש ḥrš
חרש ḥrš: plough
is plowed.
When the human cattle cannot overcome your goons, you can harvest profits openly.
Here’s a funny one: The literal text says that if bqr “cattle” with their kly “tools” cannot ˁbr “overcome” a hr “hill” that is ˁdr “hoed” with a ˁdr “hoe”, then separation laws can be waived. Totally senseless and cryptic.
But the encrypted text says that if (human) bqr “cattle” with their simple kly “tools” cannot ˁbr “overcome” a ḥr “nobleman” that is ˀdr “surrounded” by (armed) ˁdr “helpers”, then the separation laws can be waived for him. Because the human cattle cannot do anything anyway. That is the third-world model, where the regional governors commit many corruption crimes more or less openly, but in turn have to be defended by a larger army of goons.
Peah 2:2
Encrypted: When [there are] people which [make it] not possible to harvest [profits] like a [true] nobleman, lord Yehudah says: [then that should] be separated off. But all noblemen who with helpers are surrounded, [that is] also to say [it is those] which not the [human] cattle is capable to overcome with [their] tools, [then] they [can] show [official] nobility for everything.
Official: When [there is] water which [makes it] not possible to harvest [the field] as one [field], rabbi Yehudah says: [then it] divides. But all hills which [can] with a hoe be hoed, even though by saying [it is] which not the cattle is capable to pass over with [harnessed] tools, it [is to] give [one donation from] the corners for all [of the divided fields??].
When
אמתי ˀmty: when, whenever
אמת ˀmt
אמתי ˀmty: when, whenever
When
[there are] people
עמים ˁmym: people
המים hmym
מים mym: water
[there is] water
which [make it] not
ש־ š-: which; אין ˀyn: no, not
שאינה šˀynh
ש־ š-: which; אין ˀyn: no, not
which [makes it] not
possible
יכול ykwl: capable, able
יכולה ykwlh
יכול ykwl: capable, able
possible
to harvest [profits]
ל־ l-: to; קצר qṣr: cut, harvest
להקצר lhqṣr
ל־ l-: to; קצר qṣr: cut, harvest
to harvest
like a [true] nobleman,
כ־ k-: like; אחד ˀḥd: command, rule; אחידא ˀḥydˀ: nobleman
כאחת kˀḥt
כ־ k-: as; אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
[the field] as one [field],
lord
רב rb: lord, master, noble
רבי rby
רבי rby: rabbi
rabbi
Yehudah
יהודה yhwdh: Yehudah
יהודה yhwdh
יהודה yhwdh: Yehudah
Yehudah
says:
אמר ˀmr: say
אומר ˀwmr
אמר ˀmr: say
says:
[then that should] be separated off.
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: cut off, sever connection
מפסקת mpsqt
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: divide, split, separate
[then it] divides.
But all
כל kl: all
וכל wkl
כל kl: all
But all
noblemen
חר ḥr: nobleman; ־ים -ym: (plural)
ההרים hhrym
הר hr: hill; ־ים -ym: (plural)
hills
who
אשר ˀšr: that, which, who
אשר ˀšr
אשר ˀšr: that, which, who
which
with helpers
ב־ b-: with; מ־ m-: of; עדר ˁdr: help, helper, assist
במעדר bmˁdr
ב־ b-: with; מ־ m-: of; עדר ˁdr: hoe, pick
[can] with a hoe
are surrounded,
אדר ˀdr: surround
יעדרון yˁdrwn
עדר ˁdr: hoe, pick
be hoed,
[that is] also
אף ˀp: also, too
אף ˀp
אף ˀp: even, though
even though
to
על ˁl: to, upon
על ˁl
על ˁl: to, upon
by
say
פה ph: speech, saying, command
פי py
פה ph: speech, saying, command
saying
[it is those] which not
ש־ š-: which; אין ˀyn: no, not
שאין šˀyn
ש־ š-: which; אין ˀyn: no, not
[it is] which not
the [human] cattle
בקר bqr: cattle, herd
הבקר hbqr
בקר bqr: cattle, herd
the cattle
is capable
יכול ykwl: capable, able
יכול ykwl
יכול ykwl: capable, able
is capable
to overcome
ל־ l-: to; עבר ˁbr: violate, remove, overcome
לעבר lˁbr
ל־ l-: to; עבר ˁbr: cross, pass over
to pass over
with [their] tools,
ב־ b-: with; כלי kly: vessel, utensil, tool
בכליו bklyw
ב־ b-: with; כלי kly: vessel, utensil, tool
with [harnessed] tools,
[then] they
הוא hwˀ: he, it
הוא hwˀ
הוא hwˀ: he, it
it
[can] show
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
[is to] give
[official] nobility
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
[one donation from] the corners
for everything.
ל־ l-: for; כל kl: all
לכל lkl
ל־ l-: for; כל kl: all
for all [of the divided fields??].
Family should be separated, military nobles can be visible.
Here the literal text says that zrˁ “seeds” must be separated, but ˀyln “trees” do not when they have šˁr-ktš “touching crowns”, or when they are ḥrb “carobs”. However, zyt “olives” need to be separated according to their rwḥ “directions” they are facing.
The encrypted text seems to say that zrˁ “family” must be separated (from public offices), but ˀylyn “leaders” do not when they are šr-ktš “fighting noblemen”, i.e. when they are qrb “soldiers” (of high rank). That’s probably because the subjects always easily believed the lie that nobles would actually fight for them, instead of against them. Public separation is then only needed for zhywtˀ “nobles” according to their rwḥ “profitable” business.
Peah 2:3.a
Encrypted: All [those] [should] be separated off for the family, but do not [have to be] separated off for the leaders [themselves], except [when they must] be walled off [completely]. If [there] are noblemen [of] the fighting [forces?], [then this] does not [have to] be separated off, but [they may publicly] show to be noblemen for [them] all.
Official: All [those] divide [a field] [planted] with seeds, but [do] not divide [a field] for trees, except [with] a fence. If [there] are crowns [of trees] touching [over the fence?], [then it] does not divide [the field], but one gives [one donation for] the corners for all [of the field?].
All [those]
כל kl: all
הכל hkl
כל kl: all
All [those]
[should] be separated off
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
מפסיק mpsyq
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: divide, split, separate
divide [a field]
for the family,
ל־ l-: for; זרע zrˁ: offspring, family; ־ים -ym: (plural)
לזרעים lzrˁym
ל־ l-: for; זרע zrˁ: seed; ־ים -ym: (plural)
[planted] with seeds,
but do not [have to be]
אין ˀyn: no, not
ואינו wˀynw
אין ˀyn: no, not
but [do] not
separated off
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
מפסיק mpsyq
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: divide, split, separate
divide [a field]
for the leaders [themselves],
ל־ l-: for; איל ˀyl: leader, chief, despot, power; ־ן -n: (suffix)
לאילן lˀyln
ל־ l-: for; אילן ˀyln: tree
for trees,
except
אלא ˀlˀ: except, but, only
אלא ˀlˀ
אלא ˀlˀ: except, but, only
except
[when they must] be walled off [completely].
גדר gdr: wall, fence, fence in, enclose
גדר gdr
גדר gdr: wall, fence, fence in, enclose
[with] a fence.
If
אם ˀm: if
ואם wˀm
אם ˀm: if
If
[there] are
היה hyh: be
היה hyh
היה hyh: be
[there] are
noblemen
שר šr: ruler, prince, nobleman
שער šˁr
שער šˁr: crown of tree, stem
crowns [of trees]
[of] the fighting [forces?],
כתש ktš: fight, contest
כותש kwtš
כתש ktš: touch
touching [over the fence?],
[then this] does not
אין ˀyn: no, not
אינו ˀynw
אין ˀyn: no, not
[then it] does not
[have to] be separated off,
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: cut off, divide off, sever connection
מפסיק mpsyq
מ־ m-: of; פסק psq: divide, split, separate
divide [the field],
but
אלא ˀlˀ: except, but, only
אלא ˀlˀ
אלא ˀlˀ: except, but, only
but
[they may publicly] show
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
one gives
to be noblemen
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
[one donation for] the corners
for [them] all.
ל־ l-: for; כל kl: all
לכל lkl
ל־ l-: for; כל kl: all
for all [of the field?].
Peah 2:4.a
Encrypted: As for military [ranks], all [that] are associates this [one] to that [one].
Official: As for carob [trees], all [that] see [each other] this [one] to that [one].
As for military [ranks],
ל־ l-: for; חרב ḥrb: sword, war; קרב qrb: soldier; קרביא qrbyˀ: military
ולחרובין wlḥrwbyn
ל־ l-: for; חרב ḥrb: carob
As for carob [trees],
all [that]
כל kl: all
כל kl
כל kl: all
all [that]
are associates
רע rˁ: comrade, associate
הרואין hrwˀyn
ראה rˀh: see, show
see [each other]
this [one]
זה zh: this
זה zh
זה zh: this
this [one]
to
את ˀt: to
את ˀt
את ˀt: to
to
that [one].
זה zh: this
זה zh
זה zh: this
that [one].
Peah 2:4.b
Encrypted: Says lord Gamliel: [This] custom existed [in] the house of my father: [We would] show the nobility [as] one [family?] for [each group] of nobles which [would] be to them in each profitable [business], and for the military [ranks] [one for?] all [that were] associates this [one] to that [one].
Official: Says rabban Gamliel: [This] custom existed [in] the house of my father: [We would] give [of] the corners one [donation?] for [each group] of olive [trees] which [would] be to them in each direction, and for the carob [trees] [one for?] all [that] saw this [one] to that [one].
Says
אמר ˀmr: say
אמר ˀmr
אמר ˀmr: say
Says
lord
רבן rbn: lord
רבן rbn
רבן rbn: rabban
rabban
Gamliel:
גמליאל gmlyˀl: Gamliel
גמליאל gmlyˀl
גמליאל gmlyˀl: Gamliel
Gamliel:
[This] custom
נוהג nwhg: custom
נוהגין nwhgyn
נוהג nwhg: custom
[This] custom
existed
היה hyh: be, exist
היו hyw
היה hyh: be, exist
existed
[in] the house
בית byt: house
בית byt
בית byt: house
[in] the house
of my father:
אב ˀb: father
אבא ˀbˀ
אב ˀb: father
of my father:
[We would] show
נתן ntn: show, display
נותנין nwtnyn
נתן ntn: give
[We would] give
the nobility
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
[of] the corners
[as] one [family?]
אחד ˀḥd: closed up, hidden
אחת ˀḥt
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
one [donation?]
for [each group] of nobles
זהיותא zhywtˀ: nobility; זיותן zywtn: distinguished, noble, imposing; ־ים -ym: (plural)
לזיתים lzytym
ל־ l-: for; זית zyt: olive; ־ים -ym: (plural)
for [each group] of olive [trees]
which [would] be
ש־ š-: which; היו hyw: be
שהיו šhyw
ש־ š-: which; היו hyw: be
which [would] be
to them
להם lhm: to them
להם lhm
להם lhm: to them
to them
in each
ב־ b-: in; כל kl: all, each
בכל bkl
ב־ b-: in; כל kl: all, each
in each
profitable [business],
רוח rwḥ: profit, gain
רוח rwḥ
רוח rwḥ: wind, direction
direction,
and for the military [ranks]
ל־ l-: for; חרב ḥrb: sword, war; קרב qrb: soldier; קרביא qrbyˀ: military
ולחרובין wlḥrwbyn
ל־ l-: for; חרב ḥrb: carob
and for the carob [trees]
[one for?] all
כל kl: all, each
כל kl
כל kl: all, each
[one for?] all
[that were] associates
רע rˁ: comrade, associate
הרואין hrwˀyn
ראה rˀh: see, show
[that] saw
this [one]
זה zh: this
זה zh
זה zh: this
this [one]
to
את ˀt: to
את ˀt
את ˀt: to
to
that [one].
זה zh: this
זה zh
זה zh: this
that [one].
Peah 2:4.c
Encrypted: Lord Eliezer son of lord Zadoq said in his name: Even for the military [ranks] which were to them in the whole city.
Official: Rabbi Eliezer son of rabbi Zadoq said in his name: Even for the carob [trees] which were to them in the whole city.
Lord
רב rb: lord, master, noble
רבי rby
רבי rby: rabbi
Rabbi
Eliezer
אליעזר ˀlyˁzr: Eliezer
אליעזר ˀlyˁzr
אליעזר ˀlyˁzr: Eliezer
Eliezer
son of lord
בר br: son; רב rb: lord, master, noble
ברבי brby
בר br: son; רבי rby: rabbi
son of rabbi
Zadoq
צדוק ṣdwq: Zadoq
צדוק ṣdwq
צדוק ṣdwq: Zadoq
Zadoq
said
אמר ˀmr: say
אומר ˀwmr
אמר ˀmr: say
said
in his name:
מ־ m-: by, of; שם šm: name
משמו mšmw
מ־ m-: by, of; שם šm: name
in his name:
Even
אף ˀp: even, though
אף ˀp
אף ˀp: even, though
Even
for the military [ranks]
ל־ l-: for; חרב ḥrb: sword, war; קרב qrb: soldier; קרביא qrbyˀ: military
לחרובין lḥrwbyn
ל־ l-: for; חרב ḥrb: carob
for the carob [trees]
which were
ש־ š-: which; היה hyh: be
שהיו šhyw
ש־ š-: which; היה hyh: be
which were
to them
להם lhm: to them
להם lhm
להם lhm: to them
to them
in the whole
ב־ b-: in; כל kl: all, whole
בכל bkl
ב־ b-: in; כל kl: all, whole
in the whole
city.
עיר ˁyr: city
העיר hˁyr
עיר ˁyr: city
city.
Government offices of two nations must be shown as two noble clans.
Here the literal text discusses whether a šdh “field” with one or two myn “kinds” of zrˁ “seed” must be “separated”, when the owner ˁšh “makes” one or two grn “threshing floors”.
The encrypted text seems to discuss whether šdh “offices” of one or two myn “nations” run by several zrˁ “families” must be publicly “separated”, when they ˁšh “act” as one or two krn “clans”.
The rule seems to be that one “family” should be shown per “nation”. The subjects wouldn’t like it if they knew that one aristocratic clan had taken over several nations, city-states, trades or industries. And apparently, it also wouldn’t look good if several clans publicly nested inside the same government of the same nation. Both cases occur regularly in reality though, to the present day, and Miles has often encountered this in his research. Globalized nepotism is what nobility is all about.
Peah 2:5.a
Encrypted: [If one has] family with offices [of] a nation a single one, even though to say that one is [secretly] acting [as] two clans [one] shows a [family] of nobility [only] a single one.
Official: [If one] plants the field [of] a kind a single one, even though to say that one is making two threshing floors [full of grain?], [one] gives corner [donation] [only] one.
[If one has] family
זרע zrˁ: offspring, family
הזורע hzwrˁ
זרע zrˁ: plant, seed
[If one] plants
with
את ˀt: with
את ˀt
את ˀt: to
offices
שדה šdh: position, office, status
שדהו šdhw
שדה šdh: field, land
the field
[of] a nation
מין myn: nation, people
מין myn
מין myn: kind, species
[of] a kind
a single one,
אחד ˀḥd: single, one
אחד ˀḥd
אחד ˀḥd: single, one
a single one,
even though
אף ˀp: even, though
אף ˀp
אף ˀp: even, though
even though
to
על ˁl: upon
על ˁl
על ˁl: upon
to
say
פה ph: speech, saying, command
פי py
פה ph: speech, saying, command
say
that one
ש־ š-: that; הוא hwˀ: he, it
שהוא šhwˀ
ש־ š-: that; הוא hwˀ: he, it
that one
is [secretly] acting [as]
עשה ˁšh: act, perform
עושהו ˁwšhw
עשה ˁšh: do, make
is making
two
שתי šty: two
שתי šty
שתי šty: two
two
clans
כרן krn: clan, nation
גרנות grnwt
גרן grn: threshing floor, barn
threshing floors [full of grain?],
[one] shows
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
[one] gives
a [family] of nobility
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
corner [donation]
[only] a single one.
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
אחת ˀḥt
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
[only] one.
Peah 2:5.b
Encrypted: [If one has] family [owning] two nations, even though to say that [one is secretly] acting [as] a clan a single one, [one must] show two noble [families].
Official: [If one] plants two kinds [of seeds], even though to say that [one] is making a threshing floor one, [one must] give two corner [donations].
[If one has] family
זרע zrˁ: offspring, family
זרעה zrˁh
זרע zrˁ: plant, seed
[If one] plants
[owning] two
שני šny: two
שני šny
שני šny: two
two
nations,
מין myn: nation, people
מינין mynyn
מין myn: kind, species
kinds [of seeds],
even though
אף ˀp: even, though
אף ˀp
אף ˀp: even, though
even though
to
על ˁl: upon
על ˁl
על ˁl: upon
to
say
פה ph: speech, saying, command
פי py
פה ph: speech, saying, command
say
that [one is secretly] acting [as]
ש־ š-: which; עשה ˁšh: act, perform
שעשאן šˁšˀn
ש־ š-: which; עשה ˁšh: do, make
that [one] is making
a clan
כרן krn: clan, nation
גרן grn
גרן grn: threshing floor, barn
a threshing floor
a single one,
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
אחת ˀḥt
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
one,
[one must] show
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
[one must] give
two
שתי šty: two
שתי šty
שתי šty: two
two
noble [families].
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאות pˀwt
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
corner [donations].
To show one clan for two nations, one can claim the members were just adopted.
Here follow a strange paragraph where two rby “rabbis” have a šdh “field” with two myn “kinds” of ḥṭyn “wheat”, but want to ˁšh “make” just one grn “threshing floor” for donations. They’re then told to follow a tradition which was in turn qbl “received” by a long chain of rabbis. The tradition is simply that for one grn “threshing floor” it’s one donation, and for two grn “threshing floors” it’s two donations. Some tradition.
The encrypted text seems to say that two rb “lordly” families hold šdh “offices” in two myn “nations”, but are ḥtn “allied by marriage”, and thus want to officially ˁšh “act” as one grn “clan”. They’re then told to follow a tradition where nobles are officially qbl “adopted” in long chains, concealing that they were a single family all along. That way, they can act as one grn “clan” in some respects, but for the two populations of grˁwn “servants” it’s still two clans.
Peah 2:5.c
Encrypted: [If one has] a family with offices [of] two nations [and is] allied by marriages, [if one wanted] to act [as] a clan a single one, [one would want] to show a noble [family] a single one. [But for] the two [sets of] servants, [one must] show two noble [families].
Official: [One who] plants the field [of] two kinds of wheat, [if one] makes a threshing floor one, [one] gives a corner [donation] one. [But for] two threshing floors [one] gives two corner [donations].
[If one has] a family
זרע zrˁ: offspring, family
הזורע hzwrˁ
זרע zrˁ: plant, seed
[One who] plants
with
את ˀt: with
את ˀt
את ˀt: to
offices
שדה šdh: position, office, status
שדהו šdhw
שדה šdh: field, land
the field
[of] two
שני šny: two
שני šny
שני šny: two
[of] two
nations
מין myn: nation, people
מיני myny
מין myn: kind, species
kinds
[and is] allied by marriages,
חתן ḥtn: tie, connect, ally by marriage
חטין ḥṭyn
חטה ḥṭh: wheat; ־ין -yn: (plural)
of wheat,
[if one wanted] to act [as]
עשה ˁšh: act, perform
עשאן ˁšˀn
עשה ˁšh: do, make
[if one] makes
a clan
כרן krn: clan, nation
גרן grn
גרן grn: threshing floor, barn
a threshing floor
a single one,
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
אחת ˀḥt
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
one,
[one would want] to show
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
[one] gives
a noble [family]
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
a corner [donation]
a single one.
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
אחת ˀḥt
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
one.
[But for] the two
שתי šty: two
שתי šty
שתי šty: two
[But for] two
[sets of] servants,
גרעון grˁwn: servant
גרנות grnwt
גרן grn: threshing floor, barn
threshing floors
[one must] show
נתן ntn: give
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
[one] gives
two
שני šny: two
שתי šty
שני šny: two
two
noble [families].
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאות pˀwt
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
corner [donations].
Peah 2:1.a
Encrypted: It happened that [had such] a family lord Shimon man of Mitspah toward lord Gamliel. [They] went up to the chamber of disappearance [?] and asked [how to proceed]. Said Nahum the secretary:
Official: It happened that planted [two kinds] rabbi Shimon man of Mitspah, [and went] before rabban Gamliel. [They] went up to the chamber of cut [stones?] and asked [how to proceed]. Said Nahum the scribe:
It happened
מעשה mˁšh: event, happening
מעשה mˁšh
מעשה mˁšh: event, happening
It happened
that [had such] a family
ש־ š-: that; זרע zrˁ: offspring, family
שזרע šzrˁ
ש־ š-: that; זרע zrˁ: plant, seed
that planted [two kinds]
lord
רב rb: lord, master, noble
רבי rby
רבי rby: rabbi
rabbi
Shimon
שמעון šmˁwn: Shimon
שמעון šmˁwn
שמעון šmˁwn: Shimon
Shimon
man of
איש ˀyš: man
איש ˀyš
איש ˀyš: man
man of
Mitspah
מצפה mṣph: watchman
המצפה hmṣph
מצפה mṣph: Mitspah, watchtower
Mitspah,
toward
ל־ l-: to; פני pny: turn toward
לפני lpny
לפני lpny: before
[and went] before
lord
רבן rbn: lord
רבן rbn
רבן rbn: rabban
rabban
Gamliel.
גמליאל gmlyˀl: Gamliel
גמליאל gmlyˀl
גמליאל gmlyˀl: Gamliel
Gamliel.
[They] went up
עלה ˁlh: go up
ועלו wˁlw
עלה ˁlh: go up
[They] went up
to the chamber
ל־ l-: to; לשך lšk: chamber
ללשכת llškt
ל־ l-: to; לשך lšk: chamber
to the chamber
of disappearance [?]
גוז gwz: cut off, disappear, make to vanish
הגזית hgzyt
גוז gwz: cut
of cut [stones?]
and asked [how to proceed].
שאל šˀl: ask
ושאלו wšˀlw
שאל šˀl: ask
and asked [how to proceed].
Said
אמר ˀmr: say
אמר ˀmr
אמר ˀmr: say
Said
Nahum
נחום nḥwm: Nahum
נחום nḥwm
נחום nḥwm: Nahum
Nahum
the secretary:
לבלר lblr: scribe, clerk, secretary
הלבלר hlblr
לבלר lblr: scribe, clerk, secretary
the scribe:
Peah 2:1.b
Encrypted: [This is] a tradition I [got] from lord Meyasha, who was [claimed] to be adopted by a nobleman, who was [claimed] to be adopted by [one who] married [a noblewoman], who was [claimed] to be adopted by [one who was officially] offspring [of nobility]. [So this is] a traditional way for mighty [people] of disguising [their aristocratic roots].
Official: [This is] a tradition I [got] from rabbi Meyasha, who received [it] from Abba, who received [it] from a pair [of sages?], who received [it] from the prophets. [So this is] a traditional law [attributed?] to Moses from Sinai.
[This is] a tradition
מקבל mqbl: accepted, traditional
מקבל mqbl
מקבל mqbl: accepted, traditional
[This is] a tradition
I [got]
אני ˀny: I
אני ˀny
אני ˀny: I
I [got]
from lord
מ־ m-: from; רב rb: lord
מרבי mrby
מ־ m-: from; רבי rby: rabbi
from rabbi
Meyasha,
מיאשא myˀšˀ: Meyasha
מיאשא myˀšˀ
מיאשא myˀšˀ: Meyasha
Meyasha,
who was [claimed] to be adopted
ש־ š-: who; קבל qbl: adopt; קובל qwbl: adoption
שקבל šqbl
ש־ š-: who; קבל qbl: receive
who received [it]
by a nobleman,
מ־ m-: by; אבי ˀby: patrician, noble
מאבא mˀbˀ
מ־ m-: from; אבא ˀbˀ: Abba
from Abba,
who was [claimed] to be adopted
ש־ š-: who; קבל qbl: adopt; קובל qwbl: adoption
שקבל šqbl
ש־ š-: which; קבל qbl: receive
who received [it]
by
מן mn: by
מן mn
מן mn: from
from
[one who] married [a noblewoman],
זוג zwg: couple, join, marriage
הזוגות hzwgwt
זוג zwg: pair
a pair [of sages?],
who was [claimed] to be adopted
ש־ š-: who; קבל qbl: adopt; קובל qwbl: adoption
שקבלו šqblw
ש־ š-: who; קבל qbl: receive
who received [it]
by
מן mn: by
מן mn
מן mn: from
from
[one who was officially] offspring [of nobility].
נבע nbˁ: have offspring
הנביאים hnbyˀym
נביא nbyˀ: prophet
the prophets.
[So this is] a traditional way
הלכה hlkh: traditional law
הלכה hlkh
הלכה hlkh: traditional law
[So this is] a traditional law
for mighty [people]
ל־ l-: for; אמץ ˀmṣ: strength, might
למשה lmšh
ל־ l-: to; משה mšh: Moses
[attributed?] to Moses
of disguising [their aristocratic roots].
מ־ m-: of; שני šny: disguise
מסיני msyny
מ־ m-: from; סיני syny: Sinai
from Sinai.
Peah 2:1.c
Encrypted: [If one has] families with offices [of] two nations [and is] allied by marriages, [and] if [one wants to] act [as] a clan a single one, [one can] show a noble [family] a single one [with these claims of adoption]. [And for] the two [sets of] servants, [one still] shows two noble [families at the same time].
Official: [If one] plants the field [of] two kinds of grains, [but] if [one still] makes a threshing floor one, [one] gives a corner [donation] one. [But for] two threshing floors, [one] gives two corner [donations].
[If one has] families
זרע zrˁ: offspring, family
בזורע bzwrˁ
זרע zrˁ: plant, seed
[If one] plants
with
את ˀt: with
את ˀt
את ˀt: to
offices
שדה šdh: position, office, status
שדהו šdhw
שדה šdh: field, land
the field
[of] two
שני šny: two
שני šny
שני šny: two
[of] two
nations
מין myn: nation, people
מיני myny
מין myn: kind, species
kinds
[and is] allied by marriages,
חתן ḥtn: tie, connect, ally by marriage
חטין ḥṭyn
חטה ḥṭh: wheat; ־ין -yn: (plural)
of grains,
[and] if
אם ˀm: if
אם ˀm
אם ˀm: if
[but] if
[one wants to] act [as]
עשה ˁšh: act, perform
עשאן ˁšˀn
עשה ˁšh: do, make
[one still] makes
a clan
כרן krn: clan, nation
גרן grn
גרן grn: threshing floor, barn
a threshing floor
a single one,
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
אחת ˀḥt
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
one,
[one can] show
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
[one] gives
a noble [family]
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאה pˀh
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
a corner [donation]
a single one [with these claims of adoption].
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
אחת ˀḥt
אחת ˀḥt: one; אחד ˀḥd: one
one.
[And for] the two
שתי šty: two
שתי šty
שתי šty: two
[But for] two
[sets of] servants,
גרעון grˁwn: servant
גרנות grnwt
גרן grn: threshing floor, barn
threshing floors,
[one still] shows
נתן ntn: show, display
נותן nwtn
נתן ntn: give
[one] gives
two
שתי šty: two
שתי šty
שתי šty: two
two
noble [families at the same time].
פחה pḥh: governor, grandee, nobleman
פאות pˀwt
פאה pˀh: end, edge, corner
corner [donations].