Jeremiah 35:10

KJV

But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.

KJV (with Strong's)

But we have dwelt in {H3427} tents {H168}, and have obeyed {H8085}, and done {H6213} according to all that Jonadab {H3122} our father {H1} commanded {H6680} us.

Complete Jewish Bible

We have lived in tents, and we have heeded Yonadav our ancestor and done everything he ordered us to do.

Berean Standard Bible

But we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done exactly as our forefather Jonadab commanded us.

American Standard Version

but we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 35:10 captures the steadfast declaration of the Rechabites, a nomadic clan, to the prophet Jeremiah, affirming their unwavering obedience to the centuries-old commands of their ancestor, Jonadab. This verse highlights their consistent adherence to a simple, detached lifestyle, specifically their commitment to dwelling in tents, as a direct fulfillment of their father's decree. Their faithfulness stands in stark contrast to the persistent disobedience of the people of Judah, serving as a powerful object lesson orchestrated by God to expose Judah's spiritual rebellion and underscore the profound value of covenant fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 35 unfolds as a dramatic object lesson orchestrated by God Himself. Following divine instruction, Jeremiah brings the Rechabites into a chamber of the Temple and offers them wine. Their immediate and resolute refusal, detailed in verses 6-10, sets up the powerful contrast that follows. The Rechabites' declaration in [Jeremiah 35:10](/jeremiah/35-10 "Jeremiah 35:10 - Rechabites' Obedience") is the climax of their testimony, immediately preceding God's commendation of their faithfulness and His severe indictment of Judah's disobedience in [Jeremiah 35:12-17](/jeremiah/35-12 "Jeremiah 35:12-17 - God's Rebuke of Judah"). This narrative serves as a microcosm of Jeremiah's broader prophetic message: God's people have broken covenant, unlike even those who faithfully adhere to human commands.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 35 occur during a period of intense political and spiritual turmoil in Judah, likely during the reign of King Jehoiakim, shortly before the final Babylonian exile. Jerusalem was under threat, and the people were facing the consequences of generations of idolatry and covenant breaking. The Rechabites were a distinct group, descendants of Jonadab son of Rechab (mentioned in [2 Kings 10:15-23](/2_kings/10-15 "2 Kings 10:15-23 - Jehonadab's Alliance with Jehu")), who had lived a nomadic, ascetic lifestyle for generations, abstaining from wine, agriculture, and settled dwelling. Their presence in Jerusalem, seeking refuge from the Babylonian army (as hinted in [Jeremiah 35:11](/jeremiah/35-11 "Jeremiah 35:11 - Rechabites Seek Refuge")), provided a unique opportunity for God to use their exemplary obedience as a mirror to Judah's profound unfaithfulness. Their commitment to a simple, non-settled life was counter-cultural to the agrarian society of Judah, further emphasizing their distinct identity and adherence to their ancestral commands.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Obedience vs. Disobedience**, where the Rechabites' unwavering fidelity to a human command starkly highlights Judah's repeated failure to obey the divine commands of God's covenant, as detailed throughout [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah"). It also underscores the **Power of a Godly Legacy**, demonstrating how the instructions of a father, when faithfully passed down and upheld, can shape generations. The Rechabites' lifestyle, characterized by **Simplicity and Detachment from Worldly Comforts**, serves as a symbolic rebuke to Judah's pursuit of material wealth and reliance on human alliances rather than God. Their commitment to "dwelling in tents" (as per [Jeremiah 35:7](/jeremiah/35-7 "Jeremiah 35:7 - Jonadab's Command")) embodies a counter-cultural faithfulness that prioritizes ancestral instruction over societal integration, a testament to their enduring commitment to their unique identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dwelt (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, meaning "to sit down, to dwell, to remain." This word emphasizes the permanence and intentionality of their dwelling in tents. It signifies not merely a temporary stay but a settled way of life, chosen and maintained over generations, in direct obedience to their father's command to "dwell in tents all your days" ([Jeremiah 35:7](/jeremiah/35-7 "Jeremiah 35:7 - Jonadab's Command to Dwell in Tents")).
* **obeyed (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, meaning "to hear intelligently, often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell." This is a crucial word, denoting not just passive hearing but active, attentive listening that leads to compliance and action. The Rechabites' claim to have "obeyed" indicates a profound internal commitment that manifested in consistent external behavior, contrasting sharply with Judah's "hearing" without "obeying" God's voice ([Jeremiah 7:23-24](/jeremiah/7-23 "Jeremiah 7:23-24 - Disobedience of Judah")).
* **commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** From H6680, meaning "to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-)bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment)." This word highlights the authoritative nature of Jonadab's instructions. It was a binding decree, a charge given with the expectation of strict adherence, which the Rechabites faithfully upheld. The use of this strong verb underscores the weight and solemnity with which they regarded their father's word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But we have dwelt in tents":** This clause directly addresses one of Jonadab's core commands (as stated in [Jeremiah 35:7](/jeremiah/35-7 "Jeremiah 35:7 - Jonadab's Command")). It signifies their commitment to a nomadic, non-settled lifestyle, rejecting the stability and comforts of permanent housing and agricultural practices. This was a physical manifestation of their detachment from the land and its associated temptations, serving as a powerful visual symbol of their distinct identity and obedience.
* **"and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us":** This comprehensive statement encapsulates the Rechabites' total submission to their ancestral law. The repetition of "obeyed" and "done according to" emphasizes the completeness and consistency of their compliance. It indicates that their obedience was not merely passive acceptance but active implementation of every aspect of Jonadab's decree, including abstaining from wine, building houses, sowing seed, and planting vineyards, as detailed in [Jeremiah 35:6-7](/jeremiah/35-6 "Jeremiah 35:6-7 - The Rechabites' Vow"). Their reference to "Jonadab our father" highlights the familial and generational nature of this enduring commitment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 35:10, within its broader narrative, functions primarily as an **Exemplum**, presenting the Rechabites as a living example of unwavering obedience. This example is then used in a powerful **Contrast** with the disobedient people of Judah, highlighting their spiritual failure. The Rechabites' "dwelling in tents" serves as potent **Symbolism**, representing not only their nomadic heritage but also their detachment from worldly comforts and their steadfast adherence to a simple, disciplined life. There is also an element of **Irony** in the narrative: a human command is honored with greater fidelity by the Rechabites than the divine commands of the Almighty God are by His chosen people, Judah. This irony amplifies the severity of Judah's sin and God's righteous judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The unwavering obedience of the Rechabites to their human father's command serves as a profound theological mirror, reflecting the depth of Judah's unfaithfulness to their divine Father. This passage underscores the biblical principle that true hearing of God's word must lead to active obedience, not merely intellectual assent. The Rechabites' fidelity, maintained across generations, highlights the importance of a spiritual legacy and the transformative power of disciplined adherence to a righteous way of life. Their commitment to a simple, detached existence also speaks to the biblical call for believers to prioritize spiritual values over material comforts, fostering a life of dependence on God rather than worldly security.

* [Deuteronomy 11:26-28](/deuteronomy/11-26 "Blessings and Curses for Obedience")
* [Luke 11:28](/luke/11-28 "Blessed are those who hear and obey")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "Be Doers of the Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Rechabites' simple declaration in Jeremiah 35:10 offers a powerful challenge to contemporary believers. Their consistent, multi-generational obedience to a human command shames our often-sporadic and conditional obedience to the living God. This verse calls us to examine the depth of our commitment to God's Word: Do we merely hear, or do we truly obey and do? It encourages us to cultivate a life marked by steadfastness, discipline, and a willingness to prioritize God's commands above personal comfort, societal pressures, or material gain. Furthermore, it reminds us of the profound impact of a faithful legacy, urging us to live in such a way that our children and grandchildren are inspired to follow Christ with unwavering devotion, demonstrating that true faith is not just professed but lived out consistently.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself hearing God's commands but struggling to obey them consistently?**
* **What "tents" (symbols of detachment from worldly comforts or societal norms) might God be calling you to dwell in, in order to prioritize His will?**
* **How might your current level of obedience impact the spiritual legacy you are leaving for future generations?**

### FAQ
**What was Jonadab's command to the Rechabites, and why was it so strict?**

Jonadab, the son of Rechab, commanded his descendants to abstain from drinking wine, building houses, sowing seed, planting vineyards, or having any, and instead to dwell in tents all their days ([Jeremiah 35:6-7](/jeremiah/35-6 "Jeremiah 35:6-7 - Jonadab's Commands")). The exact reasons for Jonadab's strict commands are not explicitly stated in the text, but scholars often suggest several possibilities. It may have been a form of asceticism or Nazirite-like vow, a protest against the corrupting influences of settled, agrarian life (which often led to idolatry and materialism in Canaanite culture), or a way to preserve their distinct identity and nomadic heritage. Their lifestyle was a deliberate choice to remain separate and dedicated, perhaps as a testimony against the moral decay around them.

**How does the Rechabites' obedience contrast with Judah's disobedience?**

The contrast is stark and intentional, forming the core message of [Jeremiah 35](/jeremiah/35 "Jeremiah 35 - The Rechabites' Obedience and Judah's Disobedience"). The Rechabites, a small clan, faithfully adhered to the commands of their human ancestor for over 300 years, even when it meant personal inconvenience or being counter-cultural. In contrast, the people of Judah, God's chosen covenant people, repeatedly disobeyed the commands of the Almighty God, their divine Father, despite His persistent calls through the prophets ([Jeremiah 35:14-15](/jeremiah/35-14 "Jeremiah 35:14-15 - God's Rebuke of Judah")). Their disobedience led to national judgment and exile, while the Rechabites received a divine promise of an enduring lineage ([Jeremiah 35:19](/jeremiah/35-19 "Jeremiah 35:19 - God's Promise to the Rechabites")). This highlights the profound spiritual failure of Judah and the value God places on faithful obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 35:10 speaks of obedience to a human command, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. The Rechabites' steadfastness, though commendable, pales in comparison to Christ's flawless and lifelong submission to the will of His heavenly Father. Jesus did not merely "obey" a set of rules; He embodied perfect obedience, declaring, "I always do what pleases him" ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). His life of humility and self-denial, culminating in His obedience "even to the point of death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")), stands as the ultimate fulfillment of what true, radical obedience looks like. Unlike the Rechabites who inherited a command, Jesus, as the Son, perfectly fulfilled the divine command, establishing a new covenant grounded in His own righteousness. Through faith in Him, believers are not called to a mere external adherence to rules, but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life, reflecting Christ's own obedience and experiencing the blessings of His perfect fulfillment of the Father's will ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.