Jeremiah 35 14

Jeremiah 35:14 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 35:14 nkjv

"The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day they drink none, and obey their father's commandment. But although I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me.

Jeremiah 35:14 niv

'Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.

Jeremiah 35:14 esv

The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me.

Jeremiah 35:14 nlt

The Recabites do not drink wine to this day because their ancestor Jehonadab told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you refuse to obey me.

Jeremiah 35 verses

Jeremiah 35 14 meaning

The Rechabites have faithfully obeyed their ancestor Jonadab's command not to drink wine for generations, presenting a sharp contrast to Judah, which has repeatedly ignored God's urgent, persistent calls to obedience despite His tireless efforts to communicate His will.

Jeremiah 35 14 Context

Jeremiah chapter 35 details a unique object lesson where God instructs Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites to the Temple chambers and offer them wine. Their unwavering refusal to drink wine, explaining their ancestor Jonadab's strict mandate to live nomadically, abstain from wine, and avoid building houses, serves as a powerful prophetic illustration. The broader historical context is Judah under King Jehoiakim (late 7th/early 6th century BC), a time characterized by pervasive idolatry, social injustice, and widespread disregard for God's covenant laws. This moral decay persisted despite repeated, urgent warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, as the formidable Babylonian threat loomed over Judah, leading ultimately to its exile. The Rechabites, known for their distinct and austere lifestyle, maintained a remarkable fidelity to their inherited traditions, which implicitly preserved a simpler, purer way of life in stark contrast to the increasingly corrupt and urbanized society of Judah. This verse directly compares the steadfast human obedience to a human command with the utter failure of God's chosen people to obey His divine commands.

Jeremiah 35 14 Word analysis

• The words of Jonadab: Refers to a clear, established oral tradition passed down through generations. Jonadab, son of Rechab (יוֹנָדָב בֶּן רֵכָב - Yonadav ben Rekhav), was a significant figure in 2 Kings 10:15-27, where he allied with Jehu in purging Baal worship. His name likely means "YAHWEH is generous." The Rechabites traced their unique identity and commands directly back to him, demonstrating a clear source of authority for their traditions.
• that he commanded: Hebrew צִוָּה (tzivvah), a strong term for an authoritative command or instruction. It signifies a definitive, non-negotiable directive that established their communal lifestyle and was intended for strict adherence.
• his sons not to drink wine: Central to their specific abstention. This specific prohibition became a distinguishing mark of their obedience, discipline, and identity as a separate people committed to simplicity and separation.
• are performed: Hebrew הֻקַם (hukkam), a Niphal (passive) form of the verb קוּם (qum), meaning 'to rise, stand up, be established.' Here it signifies 'has been established' or 'fulfilled,' indicating active, continuous compliance and continuation of the command over a long period. Their actions stood firm, giving evidence of enduring commitment.
• for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: Emphasizes the multi-generational, unbroken loyalty and living testament of their adherence. Their current practice perfectly reflected their inherited mandate, making their obedience tangible and continuously evident.
• but I have spoken unto you: This marks a critical transition. God's voice is now directly addressing Judah, using Hebrew דִבַּרְתִּי (dibbarti) for 'I have spoken,' setting a direct divine declaration in stark contrast to the human command previously mentioned.
• rising up early and speaking: Hebrew הַשְׁכֵּם (hashkem) is an idiom meaning "to rise early," signifying earnestness, diligence, persistence, and continuous effort. It describes God's unwavering and tireless sending of prophets and messages to Judah, an expression of His profound care and fervent desire for His people's repentance and well-being. This phrase is found frequently in Jeremiah (Jer 7:13; 25:3-4) and indicates divine passion and initiative.
• and ye have not hearkened unto me: Hebrew שְׁמַעְתֶּם (sh'ma'tem), referring not just to 'hearing' but critically to 'hearing and obeying.' This phrase highlights Judah's profound and continuous failure to not only perceive but also to act upon God's repeated, heartfelt warnings and instructions. It's a definitive statement of willful, rebellious non-compliance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The words of Jonadab... are performed... but I have spoken... ye have not hearkened": This passage establishes the core antithesis of the verse, highlighting the shocking disparity between human faithfulness to human commands and human unfaithfulness to divine commands. It's a severe indictment of Judah's misplaced priorities and spiritual deafness, which values ancestral tradition more than direct divine revelation.
• "unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment" contrasted with "rising up early and speaking; and ye have not hearkened unto me": This juxtaposes the sustained, tangible, multi-generational obedience of the Rechabites (a group often viewed as outsiders) with the persistent, willful, and sustained disobedience of the covenant people of Judah. It accentuates God's diligent and compassionate effort versus Judah's hardened, rebellious heart.

Jeremiah 35 14 Bonus section

• The Rechabites' abstinence from wine, along with their other stipulations (not building houses, planting vineyards), bears similarities to Nazirite vows (Num 6) and implicitly critiques the settled, materialistic, and corrupting lifestyle that had become prevalent in Judah. Their fidelity to their simple, patriarchal roots presented an implicit counter-cultural testimony.
• God's idiom "rising up early and speaking" is a recurring expression in Jeremiah (e.g., Jer 7:13, 25:3, 26:5), signifying divine earnestness, unwavering care, and continuous initiative. It reflects God's deep passion and persistent attempts, like a loving parent repeatedly calling out to wayward children, showcasing His immense patience and profound sorrow over their spiritual condition before ultimate judgment.
• The rhetorical force of the verse lies in the comparison: if an ancestor's human decree can command such unwavering, multi-generational fidelity from a relatively small group, how much more ought the divine commands of the omnipotent God of the covenant to be honored and obeyed by His entire people? The shocking disparity reveals Judah's deep-seated rebellion and moral bankruptcy.

Jeremiah 35 14 Commentary

Jeremiah 35:14 serves as a profoundly sorrowful divine lament and a powerful object lesson, using the exemplary fidelity of the Rechabites as a severe rebuke against the rebellious people of Judah. For generations, the Rechabites consistently upheld and literally performed a specific set of rules—including abstinence from wine, nomadic living, and refraining from building houses—passed down from their human ancestor, Jonadab. Their unwavering, multi-generational adherence to these human directives vividly exposed the grievous failure of Judah to keep the divine, covenantal demands of the Almighty God. Despite God's tireless efforts, represented by His "rising up early and speaking" through a consistent stream of prophets like Jeremiah, Judah remained stubbornly disobedient and unwilling to "hearken" (hear and obey). This verse underscores a tragic irony: mere human commands were honored more sacredly and were more effectively followed than the life-giving, salvific decrees of the Creator. It highlights a profound spiritual apathy, selective hearing, and a deep lack of genuine devotion within God's chosen people, ultimately revealing God's justice mixed with His enduring, patient, and persistent call to repentance, a call that was tragically unheeded.