Jeremiah 35:8

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 35:1-19

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 35:6-10

The filial obedience of the Rechabites. There is something very remarkable in this simple history. Originally aliens in race ( 1 Chronicles 2:55 ), they gained a place in the land of Israel ( 1:16 ). Jonadab the son of Rechab, the ancestor of the race, was the true founder of the family. His character was so high that Jehu affected his company in order to gain esteem from the people ( 2 Kings 10:15 , 2 Kings 10:16 ). From him their ascetic rule of life was received, and they had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 35:8-10

Our father - Not merely our ancestor, but the founder of our institutions. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 35:8-11

Jeremiah 35:8-11. Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab our father We have conformed ourselves to his injunctions, and governed our lives by them, during the space of nearly three hundred years. But when Nebuchadrezzar came, &c., we said, Come, let us go to Jerusalem The Rechabites appear to have retired within the walls of Jerusalem upon the hostile approach of Nebuchadnezzar and his army, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim. Calmet, indeed, supposes it was not till the latter end of... read more

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