Jeremiah35
New International Version
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord during the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
2“Go to the Rekabite family and invite them to come to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink.”
3So I went to get Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons—the whole family of the Rekabites.
4I brought them into the house of the Lord, into the room of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah the man of God. It was next to the room of the officials, which was over that of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper.
5Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, “Drink some wine.”
6But they replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine.
7Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.’
8We have obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab commanded us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine
9or built houses to live in or had vineyards, fields or crops.
10We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab commanded us.
11But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded this land, we said, ‘Come, we must go to Jerusalem to escape the Babylonian and Aramean armies.’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.”
12Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying:
13“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the Lord.
14‘Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.
15Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me.
16The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’
17“Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.’”
18Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’
19Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 35.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The obedience of the Rechabites. (1-11). The Jews' disobedience to the Lord. (12-19).
vv1-11
Jonadab was famous for wisdom and piety. He lived nearly 300 years before, II Kin. 10:15. Jonadab charged his posterity not to drink wine. He also appointed them to dwell in tents, or movable dwelling: this would teach them not to think of settling any where in this world. To keep low, would be the way to continue long in the land where they were strangers. Humility and contentment are always the best policy, and men's surest protection. Also, that they might not run into unlawful pleasures, they were to deny themselves even lawful delights. The consideration that we are strangers and pilgrims should oblige us to abstain from all fleshly lusts. Let them have little to lose, and then losing times would be the less dreadful: let them sit loose to what they had, and then they might with less pain be stript of it. Those are in the best frame to meet sufferings who live a life of self-denial, and who despise the vanities of the world. Jonadab's posterity observed these rules strictly, only using proper means for their safety in a time of general suffering.
vv12-19
The trial of the Rechabites' constancy was for a sign; it made the disobedience of the Jews to God the more marked. The Rechabites were obedient to one who was but a man like themselves, and Jonadab never did for his seed what God has done for his people. Mercy is promised to the Rechabites. We are not told respecting the performance of this promise; but doubtless it was performed, and travellers say the Rechabites may be found a separate people to this day. Let us follow the counsels of our pious forefathers, and we shall find good in so doing.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
יִרְמְיָה: Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
יְהוֹיָקִים: Jehojakim, a Jewish king
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יֹאשִׁיָּה: Joshijah, the name of two Israelites
מֶלֶךְ: a king
Cross References
Jeremiah 35Identifies Jonadab, son of Rechab, who commanded these lifestyle restrictions 300 years prior.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Traces the genealogical origins of the Rechabites to the Kenites of Hemath.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Shows the Kenite origin of the Rechabites and their early history of dwelling in tents.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Records the historical invasion of Chaldean and Syrian bands that forced them into Jerusalem.
Supported by JFB
Describes the chambers built against the walls of the temple, where Jeremiah met them.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the tent-dwelling lifestyle of the patriarchs as strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illustrates God's persistent efforts in sending prophets early and often, which Israel rejected.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the Rechabites honoring their earthly father with Israel's failure to honor God.
Supported by JFB
Mentions the office of the 'keeper of the door' in the temple hierarchy.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the prophetic call to return from evil ways and amend doings.
Supported by JFB
Provides the biblical law of the Nazirite vow, which also prohibited drinking wine.
Connects Jonadab's promise of long life in the land to the Fifth Commandment.
Supported by JFB
The basic wisdom command to hear the instruction of a father.
Parallels the promise of a perpetual line to 'stand before' the Lord.