Jeremiah 35:16

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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:

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 35:16 encapsulates a profound divine indictment against the people of Judah, contrasting their persistent disobedience to God's commands with the unwavering, generational faithfulness of the Rechabites to the ancient instructions of their human ancestor, Jonadab. This verse serves as the climactic pronouncement following God's orchestrated object lesson, highlighting Judah's spiritual rebellion and underscoring the severity of their failure to "hearken" to their covenant Lord, even as a nomadic clan demonstrated steadfast loyalty to a lesser, human authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 35 is a powerful object lesson strategically placed within Jeremiah's prophecies, particularly amidst pronouncements of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem. Preceding this chapter, Jeremiah has consistently called Judah to repentance, detailing their idolatry and unfaithfulness. The immediate context involves God commanding Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites into the temple chambers, offer them wine, and observe their response. Their steadfast refusal, based on their ancestor Jonadab's ancient command, sets the stage for God's direct comparison. Verse 16, therefore, is God's interpretive commentary on this demonstration, directly linking the Rechabites' obedience to Judah's profound disobedience, thereby intensifying the prophetic message of impending judgment. It serves as a stark rhetorical question posed by God, highlighting Judah's inexcusable rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 35 likely occurred during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), a period marked by spiritual apostasy and the looming threat of Babylonian invasion. Jerusalem was under siege or facing imminent threat, leading the nomadic Rechabites to seek refuge within the city walls, an unusual circumstance for their tent-dwelling lifestyle. The Rechabites were a distinct clan, descendants of Jonadab (or Jehonadab), a zealous contemporary of King Jehu in the 9th century BC (c. 841 BC), who had commanded his descendants to abstain from wine, building houses, sowing seed, planting vineyards, or owning land, and to live perpetually in tents. This strict, ascetic lifestyle was intended to preserve their distinct identity and commitment to Yahweh, possibly as a protest against the Canaanizing influences of settled life. Their adherence to these ancient, human-given commands for over 250 years stood in stark contrast to Judah's repeated failure to obey the divine covenant given by God Himself.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 35:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. The primary theme is the **contrast between obedience and disobedience**, where the unwavering faithfulness of the Rechabites to a human command serves as a searing indictment of Judah's persistent rebellion against God's divine law. This highlights the profound spiritual decay of Judah, who, despite being God's chosen people and recipients of His covenant, consistently failed to [hearken to His voice](/jeremiah/7-23 "Jeremiah 7:23 - God's Call to Obedience"). Another crucial theme is **divine justice and warning**, as God uses this object lesson to expose the depth of Judah's unfaithfulness and to justify the impending judgment. The Rechabites' disciplined life implicitly preaches a sermon on the importance of [heeding instructions](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1 - Blessings of Obedience"), demonstrating that faithfulness, even to a human directive, is noted by God, while His own people's rejection of His word is met with severe consequences. The chapter also subtly touches on the theme of **covenant faithfulness**, emphasizing that Judah's failure to uphold their covenant obligations ultimately led to their downfall.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **performed (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** From H6965, this primitive root means "to rise" in various applications, including to "establish," "confirm," "accomplish," or "perform." In this context, it signifies that the sons of Jonadab did not merely hear or acknowledge their father's commandment but actively and steadfastly *carried it out* over generations. Their obedience was not passive but a dynamic, enduring commitment that resulted in tangible actions and a specific way of life.
* **commandment (Hebrew, _mitsvâh'_):** From H4687, this noun denotes "a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law); ordinance, precept." Here, it refers specifically to the instructions given by Jonadab to his descendants. The use of this term emphasizes the authoritative nature of Jonadab's instructions, which the Rechabites treated with the utmost respect and adherence, mirroring the reverence that Judah *should* have shown to God's divine commandments.
* **hearkened (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying "attention, obedience," or "to give heed to." When God declares that "this people hath not hearkened unto me," it signifies far more than a failure to perceive sound. It denotes a deliberate and active refusal to listen with intent to obey, a consistent rejection of God's instructions, warnings, and calls to repentance. This contrasts sharply with the Rechabites' active "performing" of their father's word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them;"**: This clause establishes the foundational premise for God's subsequent condemnation of Judah. It highlights the exemplary obedience of the Rechabites, emphasizing their familial lineage and the enduring nature of their commitment. The phrase "performed the commandment" underscores their active, consistent, and generational adherence to Jonadab's specific instructions, which included prohibitions against wine, building, and land ownership. This steadfast loyalty to a human patriarch, maintained for centuries, serves as the positive benchmark against which Judah's failure is measured.
* **"but this people hath not hearkened unto me:"**: This clause delivers God's direct and damning indictment against Judah. The conjunction "but" creates a sharp, devastating contrast. "This people" refers to the Israelites, God's chosen covenant nation, who, despite receiving direct divine revelation, warnings, and commands from the Almighty, consistently failed to "hearken"—to listen with the intent to obey. Their disobedience was not merely a passive oversight but an active, persistent rejection of their covenant Lord, making their spiritual rebellion all the more egregious when compared to the Rechabites' faithfulness to a lesser, human authority.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Jeremiah 35:16, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Contrast**. God deliberately sets the unwavering obedience of the Rechabites against the persistent disobedience of Judah, creating a stark and damning comparison. This contrast functions as a powerful **Object Lesson** or **Parable in Action**, where the Rechabites' conduct serves as a living sermon, making Judah's spiritual failure undeniably evident and inexcusable. There is also a strong element of **Irony**: a nomadic, non-Israelite clan demonstrates greater faithfulness to their human traditions than God's chosen people show to their divine covenant. This ironic situation amplifies the gravity of Judah's sin and underscores the depth of their spiritual rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 35:16 profoundly illustrates the critical importance of obedience in the covenant relationship between God and His people. It reveals that God values consistent and heartfelt adherence to His word, and that such obedience is a hallmark of true faith. The Rechabites' example serves as a divine standard, demonstrating that even a human command, when honored with integrity and generational commitment, can expose the spiritual bankruptcy of those who claim to know God but refuse to obey Him. This passage underscores God's righteous judgment against unfaithfulness and His unwavering demand for His people to "hearken" to His voice, emphasizing that privilege (being God's chosen people) does not negate the necessity of obedience. The ultimate tragedy is that Judah's failure to obey sealed their fate, leading to the very judgments Jeremiah had prophesied.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 11:26-28](/deuteronomy/11-26-28 "Deuteronomy 11:26-28 - Blessings and Curses")
* [Luke 11:28](/luke/11-28 "Luke 11:28 - Blessed are Those Who Hear and Obey")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 35:16 challenges believers today to deeply examine the quality of their own obedience to God. The Rechabites' generational commitment to a human command, even when inconvenient or seemingly outdated, stands as a powerful rebuke to any casual or selective adherence to divine instruction. This verse calls us to move beyond mere hearing of God's Word to a consistent, active "hearkening"—a listening that inherently includes the intent to obey. Our lives, like the Rechabites', are meant to be living testimonies, either affirming God's truth through our faithfulness or, conversely, exposing our own spiritual apathy. If we are quick to follow human counsel, cultural trends, or personal preferences, yet slow to submit to the clear commands of Scripture, we risk mirroring Judah's tragic failure. True spiritual maturity is not merely intellectual assent to biblical truths but a wholehearted, consistent commitment to live them out, demonstrating that our love for God is expressed through our obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I quick to obey human expectations or cultural norms, but slow to "hearken" to God's clear commands?**
* **What specific "commandments" (biblical principles, ethical guidelines, calls to discipleship) has God given that I am currently failing to "perform" or "hearken" to consistently?**
* **How does my daily life serve as a "living object lesson" to those around me regarding the importance of obedience to God?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, more consistent habit of "hearkening" to God's voice through His Word and Spirit?**

### FAQ

**Who were the Rechabites, and why were they so important in this passage?**

Answer: The Rechabites were a nomadic clan, descendants of Jonadab (also known as Jehonadab), who lived around the 9th century BC. Jonadab had commanded his descendants to live a specific, ascetic lifestyle: abstaining from wine, not building houses, not sowing crops, not planting vineyards, and living only in tents. This was likely a way to preserve their distinct identity and commitment to Yahweh, possibly as a protest against the settled, often idolatrous, practices of the surrounding cultures. In Jeremiah 35, God uses their unwavering, centuries-long obedience to this human command as a powerful object lesson to shame the people of Judah, who consistently disobeyed God's divine commands. Their faithfulness highlights Judah's profound spiritual failure and serves as a stark contrast.

**What is the significance of the word "hearkened" in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "hearkened" is `shâmaʻ` (H8085). While it can simply mean "to hear," in biblical Hebrew, especially in covenant contexts, it carries a much deeper meaning: "to hear with attention and intent to obey." It implies not just auditory perception but a responsive, submissive listening. When God says "this people hath not hearkened unto me," He is accusing Judah not merely of failing to hear His words, but of deliberately and persistently refusing to obey them. This contrasts sharply with the Rechabites, who "performed" (actively carried out) their father's command, demonstrating true "hearkening." The term underscores Judah's active rebellion against God's will, despite having received His commands clearly through prophets like Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:23-26](/jeremiah/7-23 "Jeremiah 7:23-26 - Disobedience of Judah")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 35:16, while a stark indictment of Judah's disobedience, ultimately points to the perfect obedience found in Jesus Christ. The Rechabites' faithfulness to a human command, though commendable, pales in comparison to the Son of God's perfect and unwavering obedience to His Father's divine will, even unto death on a cross. Where Judah failed to "hearken" to God's voice, Jesus perfectly embodied the obedient Son, declaring, "[I always do what pleases him](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus' Obedience to the Father")" and "[Not my will, but yours be done](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Submission in Gethsemane")". He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, perfectly keeping every "commandment" of God (cf. [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Through His perfect obedience, Christ established a new covenant, offering a path to righteousness and life for all who believe, a righteousness that Judah could not achieve through their own failed efforts (cf. [Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ")). Thus, the contrast in Jeremiah 35:16 foreshadows the ultimate contrast between humanity's pervasive sin and Christ's singular, redemptive obedience, which alone provides the means for us to truly "hearken" to God and live.

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.

Cross-References

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: