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

Jeremiah 35:5 details the prophet Jeremiah, acting under divine instruction, setting out vessels filled with wine before the Rechabites and directly inviting them to drink. This orchestrated event, carried out within the precincts of the Lord's house, was not merely an offering but a deliberate public test of the Rechabites' generations-long commitment to their ancestor Jonadab's command of absolute abstinence from wine. This specific act aimed to create a vivid and compelling contrast, illustrating the unwavering loyalty of a non-Israelite group to a human tradition against the pervasive, stubborn disobedience of God's own people, Judah, to divine commandments.

Jeremiah 35 5 Context

Jeremiah chapter 35 is set during the reign of King Jehoiakim, a turbulent period following Babylon's initial incursions into Judah. The nation of Judah was under immense pressure and rapidly approaching its final judgment. In this desperate time, God uses a profound object lesson through His prophet. Jeremiah is commanded to bring the Rechabites, a nomadic clan known for their strict adherence to their ancestor Jonadab's commands (which included abstinence from wine and permanent dwellings), into a chamber within the Jerusalem Temple. The very act of offering them wine in such a sacred and public setting serves as a dramatic test. Their steadfast refusal to drink, upholding their centuries-old tradition, stands in stark contrast to Judah's consistent and willful rebellion against God's direct commandments. This visual sermon highlights Judah's profound spiritual failure and justifies the impending divine judgment, while commending the unwavering fidelity of the Rechabites.

Jeremiah 35 5 Word Analysis

• וָאֶתֵּן (vā'etten): "Then I set / and I gave." This verb emphasizes Jeremiah's active role, directed by God, in initiating the test. It signifies not merely a suggestion, but a direct, physical presentation of the temptation.
• לִפְנֵי (lifnē): "before the face of / in front of." This preposition highlights the public and undeniable nature of the offering. The wine was openly placed, leaving no doubt about the intention to challenge their practice.
• בְּנֵי בֵית הָרֵכָבִים (bənei Beit haRēkhāvīm): "sons of the house of the Rechabites."
  • בְּנֵי (bənei): "sons of," signifies direct lineage and inherited tradition, crucial to their identity and the strength of their commitment.
  • בֵית (Beit): "house of," indicates a clan or family unit bound by shared ancestry and adherence to their foundational commands.
  • הָרֵכָבִים (haRēkhāvīm): "the Rechabites," the specific group descended from Jonadab, whose distinctive obedience formed the core of the divine object lesson.
• גְּבִעִים (gəviʿīm): "bowls / goblets." These were often deep, large vessels, suggesting an ample, generous, and hence tempting, quantity of wine, not a mere sip.
• מְלֵאִים (məleʾīm): "full of." This adjective intensifies the imagery; the vessels were not half-empty but overflowing, presenting an unequivocal and inviting abundance.
• יַיִן (yayin): "wine." This term represents the specific object of the Rechabite prohibition. It is symbolically rich, associated with joy and celebration, but also with excess and moral compromise, making its presence a direct challenge to their vow.
• וְכוֹסוֹת (vəkhōsōt): "and cups." These smaller, individual drinking vessels underscore the ease with which one could partake. Their presence further illustrates the preparedness and directness of the invitation.
• וָאֹמַר (vā'ōmar): "and I said." This indicates a clear verbal instruction, removing any ambiguity from Jeremiah's intentions and the nature of the test.
• אֲלֵיהֶם (ʾălēhem): "to them." Direct address to the Rechabites, specifying the targets of the explicit invitation.
• שְׁתוּ יָיִן (shtū yayin): "Drink wine."
  • שְׁתוּ (shtū): "Drink!" This is a direct imperative command, leaving no room for misunderstanding and demanding an immediate decision regarding their commitment to abstinence.
  • יָיִן (yayin): "wine." The repetition emphasizes that this forbidden substance is precisely what is being offered and demanded, placing their integrity on trial.

Jeremiah 35 5 Words-group by Words-group Analysis

• "Then I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites": This phrase precisely identifies the agent (Jeremiah), the method ("set before," implying a deliberate and visual act), and the specific recipients ("sons of the house of the Rechabites"), emphasizing their communal, familial, and distinct identity, all under God's explicit instruction.
• "bowls full of wine, and cups": This description paints a vivid picture of the abundant and ready temptation. The "bowls full" signify an overflowing provision, not just a token offer, while "and cups" imply the immediate and convenient means for consumption. Together, they create an irresistible visual and practical enticement for anyone not bound by a vow.
• "and I said to them, ‘Drink wine.’": This group of words provides the explicit, verbal directive. Jeremiah's direct command "Drink wine," under divine mandate, crystallizes the challenge, demanding an active response and making their impending refusal a conscious and profound act of faithfulness to their ancestral command.

Jeremiah 35 5 Bonus section

The unwavering loyalty of the Rechabites, though directed towards a human ancestor's command, highlights a critical principle: consistency in obedience, regardless of the source of the command, reflects a disciplined and steadfast character. This character, when turned towards God, is immensely valued. Their fidelity ultimately earned them an enduring divine promise in Jer 35:19: "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me," signifying a perpetual line of descendants and an honored place in God's presence. This blessing underlines that faithfulness, even in the "small things" or seemingly unusual traditions, does not go unnoticed by the Almighty. Their unique nomadic lifestyle, not building houses, sowing fields, or planting vineyards (Jer 35:6-7), further underscored their counter-cultural commitment, providing a stark visual distinction from the settled, often idolatrous, life of Judah.

Jeremiah 35 5 Commentary

Jeremiah 35:5 captures a meticulously planned and potent object lesson orchestrated by God. The setting, "the house of the Lord," is crucial; it's the very place where Judah failed in its devotion to God, yet here, a small non-Israelite group demonstrates exemplary faithfulness to a human tradition. Jeremiah's act of placing brimming bowls and ready cups of wine before the Rechabites, followed by a direct command to drink, was designed for maximum impact. This was no subtle suggestion, but an overt temptation challenging the very core of their inherited commitment to Jonadab's charge. Their eventual refusal, as detailed in subsequent verses, highlights the depth of their integrity and steadfastness. This unflinching adherence to an ancient family vow serves as a stinging rebuke to Judah, who, despite having God's direct and repeated commands, including the Mosaic Covenant, had consistently chosen disobedience. The Rechabites, in this scene, become a living parable, showcasing that faithfulness, even to a lesser decree, is highly valued and contrasted with the egregious failure of God's chosen people to uphold their divine obligations. This dramatic moment underscores the profound truth that actions rooted in conviction speak louder than mere claims of faith.