Jeremiah 35:11
But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּעֲל֨וֹת
came up
H5927
בַּעֲל֨וֹת
came up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
2 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר
But it came to pass when Nebuchadrezzar
H5019
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר
But it came to pass when Nebuchadrezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
3 of 19
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
בָּבֶל֮
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶל֮
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
5 of 19
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
at Jerusalem
H3389
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
at Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
11 of 19
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וּמִפְּנֵ֖י
and for fear
H6440
וּמִפְּנֵ֖י
and for fear
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
חֵ֣יל
of the army
H2428
חֵ֣יל
of the army
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
13 of 19
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
of the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
of the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
14 of 19
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
וּמִפְּנֵ֖י
and for fear
H6440
וּמִפְּנֵ֖י
and for fear
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
חֵ֣יל
of the army
H2428
חֵ֣יל
of the army
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
16 of 19
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
אֲרָ֑ם
of the Syrians
H758
אֲרָ֑ם
of the Syrians
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
17 of 19
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
Historical Context
This occurred circa 605-597 BC when Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns devastated Judah. The 'army of the Syrians' likely refers to Aramean raiders allied with Babylon (2 Kings 24:2). Jerusalem became a refugee center for rural populations fleeing invasion—the Rechabites among them, maintaining their distinctive identity even in crisis.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between principled flexibility (like the Rechabites entering Jerusalem) and compromising convictions when facing pressure?
- What does the Rechabites' crisis-tested faithfulness teach about whether your obedience is circumstantial or covenantal?
- In what ways do modern 'Babylonian invasions' (job loss, illness, cultural hostility) reveal whether your faith rests on external securities or internal covenant with God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land—The Babylonian invasions (605, 597, 586 BC) forced the Rechabites to flee to Jerusalem for refuge. For fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians—Military necessity (פַּחַד pachad, fear/terror) drove them from tents to the fortified city, yet even this crisis didn't nullify their core vow: they still refused wine, houses, and vineyards.
So we dwell at Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלִַם יֹשְׁבִים bi-Yerushalayim yoshvim)—Their temporary urban residence demonstrates wise flexibility within principled consistency. They didn't interpret Jonadab's command legalistically ('never enter cities') but understood its spirit (maintain dependence on God, reject permanent settlement). This distinguishes biblical obedience from Pharisaic rigidity—the Rechabites bent circumstances without breaking covenant. Even displaced, they remained spiritually nomadic.