Jeremiah 35:6

But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, [neither] ye, nor your sons for ever:

But they said {H559}, We will drink {H8354} no wine {H3196}: for Jonadab {H3122} the son {H1121} of Rechab {H7394} our father {H1} commanded {H6680} us, saying {H559}, Ye shall drink {H8354} no wine {H3196}, neither ye, nor your sons {H1121} for {H5704} ever {H5769}:

But they said, "We will not drink any wine; because Yonadav the son of Rekhav, our ancestor, gave us this order: 'You are not to drink wine, neither you nor your descendants, forever.

“We do not drink wine,” they replied, “for our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us, ‘Neither you nor your descendants are ever to drink wine.

But they said, We will drink no wine; for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons, for ever:

Context

Jeremiah chapter 35 presents a remarkable object lesson orchestrated by God through the prophet Jeremiah. The Lord commanded Jeremiah to bring the family of the Rechabites into a chamber of the temple and offer them wine. This was not a test for the Rechabites themselves, but a demonstration for the disobedient people of Judah and Jerusalem. The Rechabites were a nomadic clan, distinct from the Israelites, who lived according to strict rules laid down by their ancestor, Jonadab (also called Jehonadab), centuries earlier. These rules included abstaining from wine, not building houses, not sowing seed, and not planting vineyards, but living in tents. This verse records their immediate and firm refusal to drink wine, citing their ancestral command.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Obedience: The core message of this verse and the chapter is the Rechabites' steadfast and generations-long obedience to a human command. Their fidelity stands in stark contrast to the people of Judah's consistent and persistent disobedience to God's divine commands. God uses their example to highlight the shamefulness of Judah's rebellion.
  • Faithfulness Across Generations: The phrase "nor your sons for ever" emphasizes the enduring nature of Jonadab's command. It illustrates the profound impact of a spiritual or moral legacy passed down through families, highlighting the importance of teaching and upholding righteous principles for future generations.
  • Contrast and Rebuke: The Rechabites' commitment serves as a powerful rebuke to Judah. God presents them as a model of faithfulness that Judah should have emulated in their relationship with the Almighty, exposing their spiritual laxity and rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Jonadab" (Hebrew: יְהוֹנָדָב - Yehonadav) means "the Lord is willing" or "the Lord is noble." This Jonadab, son of Rechab, was a figure from the time of King Jehu, and he allied with Jehu in purging Baal worship from Israel (see 2 Kings 10:15-16). His strictures, including abstinence from wine and a nomadic lifestyle, were likely intended to preserve a simple, pure devotion to God, guarding against the corrupting influences often associated with settled, agricultural, and urban life, which historically led to idolatry among the Israelites. The term "Rechab" (Hebrew: רֵכָב - Rekhav) means "rider" or "charioteer," suggesting a nomadic or warrior heritage.

Practical Application

The Rechabites' example holds significant lessons for believers today:

  • The Power of Consistent Obedience: If a human command could be honored with such integrity for centuries, how much more should believers strive for consistent and unwavering obedience to God's eternal Word? This challenges us to examine our own commitment to divine commands.
  • Building a Godly Legacy: This verse encourages us to consider the spiritual heritage we are cultivating for our families and future generations. Are we instilling principles of faith, discipline, and devotion to God that will endure beyond our lifetime, much like Jonadab did for his descendants?
  • Integrity and Conviction: The Rechabites demonstrate profound integrity by living according to their convictions, even when tested in a sacred space like the temple. Their refusal to drink wine, despite the setting, underscores their unwavering commitment to their ancestral vow, a principle that resonates with the call to not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are called to stand firm in our Christian beliefs and commitments, regardless of external pressures.
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.

  • 2 Kings 10:15

    ¶ And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab [coming] to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart [is] with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give [me] thine hand. And he gave [him] his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.

  • Luke 1:15

    For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:55

    And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, [and] Suchathites. These [are] the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.

  • Judges 13:7

    But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean [thing]: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

  • Leviticus 10:9

    Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations:

  • Judges 13:14

    She may not eat of any [thing] that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean [thing]: all that I commanded her let her observe.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:19

    When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

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