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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 35:1-11

This chapter is of an earlier date than many of those before; for what is contained in it was said and done in the days of Jehoiakim (Jer. 35:1); but then it must be in the latter part of his reign, for it was after the king of Babylon with his army came up into the land (Jer. 35:11), which seems to refer to the invasion mentioned 2 Kgs. 24:2; which was upon occasion of Jehoiakim's rebelling against Nebuchadnezzar. After the judgments of God had broken in upon this rebellious people he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 35:8

Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father ,.... The above was the charge he gave them; and this, in every article of it, they had carefully and constantly kept, though it had been for the space of three hundred years, or thereabout; as follows: in all he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters ; which was the first of the precepts he gave them: and which they were now tempted to disregard, but were resolved to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 35:9

Nor build houses for us to dwell in ,.... This explains that part of the charge more fully, which respects building of houses; which did not restrain them from building houses for others, if any of them were masters of that art; which is not very likely, since they were wholly brought up in the field as shepherds; but it forbad them building any for themselves, and making use of them by dwelling in them: neither have we vineyard, nor field, or seed ; any piece of ground planted with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 35:10

But we have dwelt in tents ,.... Ever since, until very lately, when they had taken up their dwelling in Jerusalem; the reason of which is presently given: and have obeyed, and done according to all Jonadab our father commanded us ; and should it be objected, that in one point they had not obeyed, in that they had left their tents, and now dwelt in Jerusalem; they had this to say in answer to it, and as the reason of their so doing, as follows: read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 35:8

Thus have we obeyed the voice - We have considered these precepts so very reasonable, so very useful, so conducive to the health of both body and mind, and sanctioned by such a respectable antiquity that we scrupulously and religiously observe them. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 35:8

Verse 8 Jeremiah explains at large what might have been expressed in few words, in order to amplify the constancy of the Rechabites. For one may obey his father, and yet be not so fixed in his purpose, but that he might on some slight occasion fail in his duty. Jeremiah here shews that such was the prompt perseverance of the Rechabites, that they could not be enticed by having wine set before them; but that as though no temptation had been presented to them, they kept the commandment of their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 35:9

Verse 9 They added, that they were not to build houses, literally, to inhabit them, that is, to dwell in them. It was then lawful for the Rechabites to construct houses, that is, to build them for others; but they were to be contented with tents, and to live in them. They might then assist others in building splendid palaces, and thus by their labor gain a livelihood; but they were not allowed to inhabit them, as this was one of their precepts. They farther added, And a vineyard and a field and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 35:1-11

The Rechabites. A curious interest attaches to these singular people, whose relation to the settled life of the Jews may be compared to that of the gipsies in modern Europe. They were nomads in the midst of cities, preserving the habits of the desert among all the scenes of civilization. But they were in some respects strikingly superior to their more civilized neighbours—a people whose simplicity and abstemiousness was a living rebuke to the debased luxury of the times. Three leading... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 35:1-11

The power of a fathers command. The Rechabite habit is, of course, brought forward here to contrast obedience to an earthly and arbitrary demand with the disobedience of Israel to heavenly and essentially righteous laws. But it is worth while to look into this Rechabite habit altogether, in its origin, its causes, its results, its power. I. THE ORIGIN OF THIS HABIT . The only information we have here is that the habit originated in a command of Jonadab. But, of course,... read more

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