King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:
Complete Jewish Bible:
Because the descendants of Yonadav the son of Rekhav have obeyed the order of their ancestor, which he ordered them; but this people has not listened to me;
Berean Standard Bible:
Yes, the sons of Jonadab son of Rechab carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not listened to Me.
American Standard Version:
Forasmuch as the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father which he commanded them, but this people hath not hearkened unto me;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Because the sons{H1121} of Jonadab{H3082} the son{H1121} of Rechab{H7394} have performed{H6965} the commandment{H4687} of their father{H1}, which he commanded{H6680} them; but this people{H5971} hath not hearkened{H8085} unto me:
Cross-References (KJV):
Malachi 1:6
- ¶ A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Jeremiah 35:14
- The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.
Luke 15:28
- And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
Luke 15:30
- But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
Matthew 11:28
- Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:30
- For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.
Luke 15:11
- ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons:
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Commentary for Jeremiah 35:16
Jeremiah 35:16 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the prophet Jeremiah's ministry to Judah, which took place during a period of great political and spiritual upheaval, around the 7th to 6th century BCE. This verse specifically contrasts the obedience of the Rechabites, a nomadic clan, with the disobedience of the people of Judah.
The Rechabites, descendants of Jonadab the son of Rechab, are commended for their strict adherence to the commands of their ancestor, which included living a nomadic lifestyle, abstaining from wine, and not building houses or engaging in traditional agricultural practices. Despite the challenges such a lifestyle might entail, they remained faithful to these precepts.
In contrast, the verse highlights the disobedience of the people of Judah, who have not listened to the Lord's commands as delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. This disobedience is a recurring theme throughout the book of Jeremiah, illustrating the people's persistent idolatry and moral waywardness, despite God's repeated calls for repentance and faithfulness.
The historical context of this verse is significant. Jeremiah is prophesying during the last days of the kingdom of Judah, just before the Babylonian exile. The Lord uses the example of the Rechabites' loyalty to their father's command as a rebuke to the people of Judah, emphasizing that while the Rechabites honor their earthly father's temporary directives, God's own people have failed to obey the eternal, life-giving commands of their divine Father. This serves as a powerful indictment against the people for their spiritual infidelity and as a foreshadowing of the judgment that is to come.
In summary, Jeremiah 35:16 underscores themes of obedience versus disobedience, the importance of honoring commitments, and the consequences of spiritual apathy. It uses the faithful example of the Rechabites to condemn the unfaithfulness of the people of Judah, setting the stage for the impending divine judgment that will lead to their exile from the Promised Land.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; 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.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3082
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוֹנָדָב
Transliteration: Yᵉhôwnâdâb
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-naw-dawb'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and נָדַב; Jehovah-largessed; Jehonadab, the name of an Israelite and of an Arab; Jehonadab, Jonadab. Compare יוֹנָדָב. - Strong's Number: H7394
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵכָב
Transliteration: Rêkâb
Pronunciation: ray-kawb'
Description: from רָכַב; rider; Rekab, the name of two Arabs and of two Israelites; Rechab. - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H4687
There are 177 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְוָה
Transliteration: mitsvâh
Pronunciation: mits-vaw'
Description: from צָוָה; a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law); (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H6680
There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָוָה
Transliteration: tsâvâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.