Jeremiah 35:4

And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which [was] by the chamber of the princes, which [was] above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door:

And I brought {H935} them into the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, into the chamber {H3957} of the sons {H1121} of Hanan {H2605}, the son {H1121} of Igdaliah {H3012}, a man {H376} of God {H430}, which was by {H681} the chamber {H3957} of the princes {H8269}, which was above {H4605} the chamber {H3957} of Maaseiah {H4641} the son {H1121} of Shallum {H7967}, the keeper {H8104} of the door {H5592}:

and took them into the house of ADONAI, to the room of the sons of Hanan the son of Yigdalyahu, a man of God. It was by the room of the officials, which was above the room of Ma'aseiyah the son of Shalum, the gatekeeper.

and I brought them into the house of the LORD, to a chamber occupied by the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. This room was near the chamber of the officials, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper.

and I brought them into the house of Jehovah, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the threshold.

Jeremiah 35:4 provides a precise architectural detail within the larger narrative of Jeremiah's encounter with the Rechabites. This verse pinpoints the exact location within the Jerusalem Temple where Jeremiah brought the Rechabite family to present them with wine, an act that served as a powerful object lesson for the disobedient people of Judah.

Historical and Cultural Context

The "house of the LORD" refers to the First Temple in Jerusalem, built by Solomon. During Jeremiah's time, the Temple was the spiritual and civic center of Judah, though its people were increasingly unfaithful. This verse describes specific chambers within the Temple complex, indicating a well-defined layout with designated areas for various functions and officials. The mention of "the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God" suggests a room associated with a priestly or prophetic family, highlighting the sacred context of the event. The proximity to "the chamber of the princes" and "the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door" (a Temple official responsible for security and access) further emphasizes the public and official nature of Jeremiah's demonstration, conducted in a prominent area of the Temple.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Precision of God's Word: The minute detail of the Temple's layout, down to specific chambers and their occupants, underscores the meticulous nature of biblical accounts and the historical accuracy of the events described.
  • Setting for a Divine Lesson: The Temple served as the stage for Jeremiah's object lesson on obedience. By bringing the Rechabites into this holy place, Jeremiah elevated their simple faithfulness into a public example for all of Judah, contrasting it sharply with Judah's covenant breaking. This emphasis on obedience is central to the entire chapter, as seen in the Rechabites' steadfast adherence to their ancestor Jonadab's commands.
  • Witness and Accountability: The public setting within the Temple, surrounded by chambers of officials, implies that this demonstration was meant to be a powerful witness, holding Judah accountable for their spiritual failures.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a man of God" (Hebrew: 'ish ha'elohim) is a significant title in the Old Testament, typically referring to a prophet or a divinely appointed individual who speaks for God or is dedicated to His service. Hanan's designation as such lends authority and spiritual weight to the location. "Keeper of the door" (Hebrew: shomer ha'saph) identifies Maaseiah as a Temple official, likely a Levite, responsible for guarding the Temple entrances and maintaining order, similar to those mentioned in 2 Kings 25:18.

Practical Application

While seemingly a minor descriptive verse, Jeremiah 35:4 reminds us that God often uses concrete details and specific settings to convey profound spiritual truths. It highlights the importance of context in understanding biblical narratives and underscores that acts of faithfulness, even simple ones like the Rechabites' adherence to their vow, can be powerfully used by God as an example. For believers today, this verse reinforces the value of unwavering commitment to God's word and the significance of living out our faith publicly, serving as a testimony to others, much like the Rechabites did in the very heart of the Temple.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 33:1

    ¶ And this [is] the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

  • 2 Kings 12:9

    But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 8:14

    And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.

  • Joshua 14:6

    ¶ Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.

  • 1 Kings 12:22

    But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

  • 2 Kings 25:18

    And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

  • 1 Chronicles 9:18

    Who hitherto [waited] in the king's gate eastward: they [were] porters in the companies of the children of Levi.

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