S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Rechabites (also Recabite, Rekabite) were a nomadic people group known for their strict rules to abstain from wine, from building houses, from sowing seed, and from planting vineyards (Jeremiah...

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August 05 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Who were the Rechabites in the Bible?

They were descendants of Rechab the Kenite through Jehonadab.​—Jer 35:6; 1Ch 2:55.

The Rechabites were a semi-nomadic Israelite family group, followers of the commands of their ancestor Jehonadab. Interestingly, the prophet Jeremiah uses their unwavering obedience to their ancient rules as a lesson to the rebellious people of Judah, contrasting their faithfulness to a man's commands with the people's faithlessness to God's. Their story is found in Jeremiah chapter 35

During Jehonadab's time, it seems that at least some of the Rechabites lived in the northern kingdom, for it was there that Jehonadab joined Jehu, who was king, 904-877 B.C.E., in opposing Baal worship (2 Ki 10:15-17) Jehonadab laid a command on his family (whether before or after the experience with Jehu is not stated) to live in tents, not to sow seeds, not to plant vineyards, and not to drink wine, because they were alien residents in the land.​—Jer 35:6-10.

In the final part of Jehoiakim's reign (628-618 B.C.E.), several Rechabites dwelt in Judah. When Nebuchadnezzar came against the land, the Rechabites entered Jerusalem for protection from the Chaldeans and Syrians. At God's order, Jeremiah brought Jaazaniah, their leader and all the Rechabites to a dining room in the temple. (Jer 35:1-4) That they could all fit in one of the temple's dining rooms suggests that they were not very numerous. 

At this time, as God had directed, Jeremiah put cups of wine before them and said, “Drink wine.” Out of respect for their ancestors' command, they refused to do so, explaining that they had recently left their usual habitat to move into the city due to the invading armies.​—Jer 35:5-11.

Because of this, God was pleased with the respectful obedience they showed. Their unswerving obedience to an earthly father stood in contrast to the disobedience of the Judeans to their Creator. (Jer 35:12-16) 

And because of this, God gave the Rechabites the rewarding promise: “There will not be cut off from Jonadab the son of Rechab a man to stand before me always.”​—Jer 35:19.

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