Jeremiah 35 5

Jeremiah 35:5 kjv

And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.

Jeremiah 35:5 nkjv

Then I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites bowls full of wine, and cups; and I said to them, "Drink wine."

Jeremiah 35:5 niv

Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, "Drink some wine."

Jeremiah 35:5 esv

Then I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, "Drink wine."

Jeremiah 35:5 nlt

I set cups and jugs of wine before them and invited them to have a drink,

Jeremiah 35 verses

Jeremiah 35 5 Meaning

The Recabites were instructed by their ancestor Jonadab not to drink wine. This prohibition was to distinguish them and remind them of their heritage. Jeremiah is using this example of obedience to demonstrate the greater disobedience of Israel. The prohibition itself is a divine command, highlighted by Jeremiah's presentation of it.

Jeremiah 35 5 Context

Jeremiah 35 records a specific historical event where the prophet Jeremiah tests the loyalty of the Rechabites. King Zedekiah of Judah was facing invasion from the Chaldeans. Jeremiah, under divine instruction, brings the Rechabites into one of the temple courts and offers them wine. Their refusal to drink, based on their ancestor Jonadab's command, highlights their steadfast obedience. This act serves as a contrast to the persistent disobedience of the people of Judah, who, despite God's warnings and the example of faithfulness, continued to forsake Him. The Rechabites' strict adherence to their ancestral prohibition, even when faced with what seems like an inviting option, underscores the spiritual failure of the nation.

Jeremiah 35 5 Word Analysis

• לְבִנִּים (lə-ḇin-nîm): "to the inner rooms" or "to the chambers." This word points to a specific, set-apart place within the temple complex. It's not the outer courts, but a more secluded area, likely for housing or special observances.
• הָרֶ֫יכָבִֽים (hā-rē-ḵā-ḇîm): "the Rechabites." This refers to a specific clan descended from Jonadab son of Rechab. They were Kenites, known for their nomadic lifestyle and commitment to a life of separation from Canaanite influences, which included a rejection of settled agricultural life and its associated comforts like wine.
• יַ֫יִן (yá-yin): "wine." This is the central item of the test. In ancient Israel, wine was a common part of the diet and was often used in worship. Its prohibition for the Rechabites was a radical abstention.
• נִכְזָר (niḵ-zār): "stranger" or "foreigner" (when used in certain contexts). Here, it refers to a prohibition, an instruction to abstain or turn away from something. Jonadab's command was a turning away from wine.
• וַיֹּאמֶר (wa-yō-mēr): "And he said." Introduces the speech or instruction given.
• לָהֶם (lā-hem): "to them" or "for them." Indicates the recipients of the instruction.
• בְּנֵי (bə-nê): "sons of." Signifies lineage or descendants.

Word Groups Analysis

• "that ye may dwell many days in the land wherein ye are strangers": This phrase encapsulates the purpose behind Jonadab's prohibition. Abstinence from wine was tied to a particular lifestyle that they believed ensured longevity and favor in the land where they lived as sojourners, emphasizing a distinct identity separate from the corrupting influences of settled life.
• "ye shall drink no wine: nor your sons for ever": This is the core of the commandment. It's a perpetual ordinance for every generation of the Rechabite lineage, signifying a permanent commitment to this abstention. The "for ever" emphasizes the lasting nature of their pledge.

Jeremiah 35 5 Bonus Section

The Rechabites' tradition of abstaining from wine aligns with aspects of the Nazarite vow mentioned in Numbers chapter 6. Both involve a separation and a rejection of certain worldly comforts or practices for the sake of devotion. However, the Rechabite prohibition was a lifelong, familial covenant, whereas the Nazarite vow was typically for a specified period. The Rechabites’ strictness, passed down through generations, served as a powerful object lesson, highlighting the superficiality and intermittent commitment of the majority of Israel. Their act of faithfulness within the very house of God, which His own people were defiling with their disobedience, was a particularly pointed critique. It shows how even non-Israelite or semi-nomadic groups could demonstrate a higher level of loyalty to their traditions than Israel did to their covenant with Yahweh.

Jeremiah 35 5 Commentary

Jeremiah uses the Rechabites as a living sermon. Their adherence to Jonadab’s vow of abstinence from wine is presented as a model of faithfulness. Jonadab, over 200 years prior, had commanded his descendants to live a nomadic life, to build no houses, sow no seeds, plant no vineyards, and drink no wine. This was to distinguish them and maintain their identity. When Jeremiah offers them wine in the temple courts, a place meant for worship and divine presence, their refusal demonstrates a commitment to their ancestral laws even in a significant setting. Their obedience stands in stark contrast to the disobedient nation of Judah, who, despite knowing God's law and receiving His prophets, continually turned away from Him. The Rechabites’ fidelity to a man-made vow puts the Israelites’ disloyalty to God’s covenant to shame. God, through Jeremiah, pronounces a blessing upon the Rechabites for their obedience, promising that Jonadab shall never want a man to stand before Him, symbolizing a perpetual lineage and favor. This passage is a powerful illustration of the contrast between faithfulness and rebellion, obedience and disobedience, and the blessings that follow adherence to divine commands, however interpreted or exemplified.