Jeremiah 35:8
Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;
Original Language Analysis
וַנִּשְׁמַ֗ע
Thus have we obeyed
H8085
וַנִּשְׁמַ֗ע
Thus have we obeyed
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוֹנָדָ֤ב
of Jonadab
H3082
יְהוֹנָדָ֤ב
of Jonadab
Strong's:
H3082
Word #:
3 of 18
jehonadab, the name of an israelite and of an arab
בָּנֵ֖ינוּ
our sons
H1121
בָּנֵ֖ינוּ
our sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָבִ֔ינוּ
our father
H1
אָבִ֔ינוּ
our father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 18
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְכֹ֖ל
H3605
לְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוָּ֑נוּ
in all that he hath charged
H6680
צִוָּ֑נוּ
in all that he hath charged
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
9 of 18
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
לְבִלְתִּ֤י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֤י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יָמֵ֔ינוּ
all our days
H3117
יָמֵ֔ינוּ
all our days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 18
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
Historical Context
This testimony occurred during the Babylonian siege (605-586 BC), when the Rechabites fled to Jerusalem for refuge (v. 11). Even under existential threat—war, displacement, famine—they maintained their ancestral vows, demonstrating that true obedience persists through crisis, not just prosperity.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual disciplines have you maintained 'all your days' with the Rechabites' consistency, or do you obey God only when convenient?
- How effectively are you transmitting obedience to the next generation—wives, sons, daughters—or does faithfulness die with you?
- Why do you think the Rechabites' obedience to a fallible ancestor shames many Christians' selective obedience to an infallible God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab (שָׁמַעְנוּ בְּקוֹל shama'nu b'qol)—The verb shama' means both 'hear' and 'obey,' the same word God used of Israel's covenant obligation (Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema). To drink no wine all our days—The abstinence from יַיִן (yayin) wasn't Nazirite asceticism (Numbers 6) but memorial discipline, keeping alive the memory of wilderness dependence.
The comprehensive obedience—we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters—demonstrates multi-generational covenant faithfulness. What Judah failed to pass to their children (knowledge of Yahweh, Jeremiah 9:3-6), the Rechabites successfully transmitted: a living tradition of obedience. Their fidelity magnifies Judah's failure—if pagans' descendants keep ancestral commands, how much more should covenant children obey the living God?