Babatha of Mahoza

Babatha, a woman of property, is known only through a cache of thirtyfive papyrus documents found in 1961 in a cave in the Judean desert. From these documents we know that she engaged in business and litigation regarding her own interests and those of her son. She lived in Mahoza, a town on the southern end of the Dead Sea, in the Nabatean region of the land of Israel.

Included in the collection of documents were five deeds dealing with the custody of Babatha's son by her first husband, Joshua. Also included were the marriage contracts of both Babatha and her stepdaughter, Shelamzion; two deeds concerning Shelamzion's property; five claims made by members of her second husband's family against Babatha; and six deeds of property dated from 110 to 122. The latest date on any of the documents was 132.

These documents, most likely hidden away for protection during the Bar Kokhba rebellion (132–135), reveal that Babatha was the daughter of Shimon and Miriam (Mariamne). Probably an only child, Babatha inherited lands and possessions after her mother's death. The properties had originally been transferred from her father to her mother while both parents were still alive.

Babatha was married twice. Her first husband was Joshua, son of Joseph. After his death, Babatha was not named as one of her son's guardians. She later brought a legal action against the two legal guardians in an effort to increase the money used to provide for the care of her son, “orphan Joshua, son of Joshua.”

Babatha's second husband was Judah ben Eleazer Khtusion of EinGedi. He died three years after the wedding, bequeathing to Babatha considerable property. In 131 members of Judah's family, including a first wife, Miriam, contested the will. The determination of this suit is not known, but Babatha did have to hand over some property to Khtusion's family.

As a widow, Babatha remained involved in the business and legal affairs of her stepdaughter, Shelamzion. This may have been the result of a loan made to her husband for Shelamzion's dowry that was not yet repaid at the time of Judah's death.

Whether Babatha survived the Bar Kokhba rebellion or its aftermath is not known.