Jeremiah 35:9
Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:
Original Language Analysis
וּלְבִלְתִּ֛י
H1115
וּלְבִלְתִּ֛י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
בָּתִּ֖ים
houses
H1004
בָּתִּ֖ים
houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 10
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְשִׁבְתֵּ֑נוּ
for us to dwell in
H3427
לְשִׁבְתֵּ֑נוּ
for us to dwell in
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וָזֶ֖רַע
nor seed
H2233
וָזֶ֖רַע
nor seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
7 of 10
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
1 Timothy 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain.Psalms 37:16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.Jeremiah 35:7Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.
Historical Context
In ancient agrarian society, land ownership equaled identity, security, and legacy. The Rechabites' landlessness made them perpetual outsiders, economically vulnerable, yet spiritually insulated from the seductions of Canaanite fertility religion that infected settled Israelite farmers who syncretized Baal worship with Yahweh worship.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'vineyards and fields' (investments, securities, possessions) have you accumulated that may subtly displace your dependence on God?
- How does the Rechabites' voluntary simplicity challenge the 'prosperity gospel' that equates God's blessing with material accumulation?
- In what ways does Jesus's landless ministry (Matthew 8:20) call you to looser attachment to earthly possessions and tighter grip on heavenly treasure?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Nor to build houses for us to dwell in (בָּתִּים לָשֶׁבֶת batim lashevet)—The refusal to construct permanent dwellings (from בָּנָה banah, to build) and possess agricultural land maintained perpetual awareness of life's transience. Neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed—The triple negation (כֶּרֶם...שָׂדֶה...זֶרַע kerem...sadeh...zera') renounces the entire settled agrarian economy that defined ancient Near Eastern security and wealth.
This voluntary poverty wasn't monastic withdrawal but prophetic witness: the Rechabites lived as Israel was called to live—not trusting in earthly securities but in Yahweh's provision. Their asceticism rebuked Judah's materialism. While Judah built houses (Jeremiah 22:13-14) and planted vineyards yet rotted spiritually, the Rechabites owned nothing yet possessed covenant integrity. Jesus later said, "Foxes have holes...but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20).