Jeremiah 35:18
And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:
Original Language Analysis
וּלְבֵ֨ית
unto the house
H1004
וּלְבֵ֨ית
unto the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
1 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ
And Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ
And Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
4 of 26
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
5 of 26
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
8 of 26
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 26
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יַ֚עַן
H3282
יַ֚עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֔ם
Because ye have obeyed
H8085
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֔ם
Because ye have obeyed
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִצְוֹתָ֔יו
all his precepts
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֔יו
all his precepts
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
15 of 26
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
יְהוֹנָדָ֣ב
of Jonadab
H3082
יְהוֹנָדָ֣ב
of Jonadab
Strong's:
H3082
Word #:
16 of 26
jehonadab, the name of an israelite and of an arab
אֲבִיכֶ֑ם
your father
H1
אֲבִיכֶ֑ם
your father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
17 of 26
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וַֽתִּשְׁמְרוּ֙
and kept
H8104
וַֽתִּשְׁמְרוּ֙
and kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִצְוֹתָ֔יו
all his precepts
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֔יו
all his precepts
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
21 of 26
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וַֽתַּעֲשׂ֔וּ
and done
H6213
וַֽתַּעֲשׂ֔וּ
and done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
22 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כְּכֹ֥ל
H3605
כְּכֹ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
23 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
24 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Exodus 20:12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.Deuteronomy 5:16Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Historical Context
This blessing demonstrates the principle that those who honor legitimate authority receive divine favor (Ex 20:12, Eph 6:1-3).
Questions for Reflection
- How does honoring legitimate human authority honor God?
- What generational commitments has God blessed in your family line?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Because the Rechabites obeyed their father's commandment and kept all his precepts, God promises Jonadab shall not lack a man to stand before Him forever. This shows that God notices and rewards faithfulness to legitimate human authority when it doesn't contradict His law. Honoring parents and ancestors pleases God when their commands align with righteousness.