Jeremiah 35:14
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.
Original Language Analysis
הוּקַ֡ם
are performed
H6965
הוּקַ֡ם
are performed
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 31
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵ֣י
The words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
The words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 31
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוֹנָדָ֣ב
of Jonadab
H3082
יְהוֹנָדָ֣ב
of Jonadab
Strong's:
H3082
Word #:
4 of 31
jehonadab, the name of an israelite and of an arab
בָּנָ֜יו
his sons
H1121
בָּנָ֜יו
his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּנָ֜יו
his sons
H1121
בָּנָ֜יו
his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְבִלְתִּ֣י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
11 of 31
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 31
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
for unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
for unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 31
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם
but ye hearkened
H8085
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם
but ye hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
20 of 31
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִצְוַ֣ת
commandment
H4687
מִצְוַ֣ת
commandment
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
22 of 31
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
אֲבִיהֶ֑ם
their father's
H1
אֲבִיהֶ֑ם
their father's
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
23 of 31
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְדַבֵּ֔ר
and speaking
H1696
וְדַבֵּ֔ר
and speaking
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
25 of 31
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם
unto you rising early
H7925
הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם
unto you rising early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
27 of 31
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
וְדַבֵּ֔ר
and speaking
H1696
וְדַבֵּ֔ר
and speaking
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
28 of 31
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
29 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Isaiah 30:9That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:Isaiah 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.Jeremiah 7:13And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;Jeremiah 11:7For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.Jeremiah 26:5To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;Jeremiah 29:19Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 32:33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.Nehemiah 9:26Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.Nehemiah 9:30Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
Historical Context
The Rechabites' obedience to human authority shames Judah's disobedience to divine authority. Lesser obligations were kept; greater ones were broken.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do people sometimes obey human authority better than God's?
- How does God's persistent speaking to you increase your accountability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God contrasts Jonadab's words (obeyed for 200+ years) with His own words (continually rejected). The phrase 'rising up early and speaking' emphasizes God's persistent efforts to reach His people. Yet 'ye have not inclined your ear unto me.' Human authority sometimes commands better obedience than divine authority - an indictment of hard hearts. This persistence makes judgment just.