NBC 06229

Bēl-eṭēri-Šamaš enters a business venture by lending a cow to someone in exchange for proceeds of its labour. NBC 06229 says that Bēl-eṭēri-Šamaš, son of Aplāja, gave an old, white cow to Nabû-aplu-uṣur, son of Nabû-aḫu-iddin, for six shekels of silver. The cow was potentially used as a draft animal for ploughing. The purpose of this transaction was a share (ana zitti) of profits. Bēl-eṭēri-Šamaš is entitled to enjoy (ikkal) six shekels of silver annually (ina šatti).

Nabû-aplu-uṣur, son of Nabû-aḫu-iddin, stands surety (pūtu našû) for herding (re’ītu), general caretaking (suddudu) and the guarding (maṣṣartu) of the cow.

However, in the following three years they will not share the profits (zâzu).

NBC 06229 also stipulates that Bēl-eṭēri-Šamaš guarantees (pūtu našû) the cow against any third-party claims, i.e. he warrants that no other person brings suit unlawfully (sēḫû) or any claimant (pāqirānu) has a valid claim to the cow and assumes liability should any unlawful claimant or vindicator assert such a claim.

3 witnesses and 1 scribe: Ninurta-erība, son of Līšir, Nabû-aḫu-iddin, son of Nabû-zēru-ibni, Ḫabaṣīru, son of Nabû-ēṭir, and the scribe: Aḫu-ittabši, son of Līšir.