Jeremiah 35:8
New International Version
We have obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab commanded us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine

New Living Translation
So we have obeyed him in all these things. We have never had a drink of wine to this day, nor have our wives, our sons, or our daughters.

English Standard Version
We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,

Berean Standard Bible
And we have obeyed the voice of our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab in all he commanded us. So we have not drunk wine all our lives—neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters.

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
Thus we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,

New American Standard Bible
And we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,

NASB 1995
“We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons or our daughters,

NASB 1977
“And we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,

Legacy Standard Bible
So we have listened to the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,

Amplified Bible
We have obeyed the words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, in all our days we have never drunk wine, nor have our wives, our sons, or our daughters,

Christian Standard Bible
We have obeyed Jonadab, son of our ancestor Rechab, in all he commanded us. So we haven’t drunk wine our whole life—we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab, son of our ancestor Rechab, in all he commanded us. So we haven’t drunk wine our whole life—we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters.

American Standard Version
And we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters;

English Revised Version
And we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We, along with our wives, sons, and daughters, have obeyed our ancestor Jonadab, Rechab's son, in everything he ordered us to do. We have never drunk wine,

Good News Translation
We have obeyed all the instructions that Jonadab gave us. We ourselves never drink wine, and neither do our wives, our sons, or our daughters.

International Standard Version
We have obeyed everything that our ancestor, Rechab's son Jonadab, commanded us. So we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters have drunk no wine all our lives,

Majority Standard Bible
And we have obeyed the voice of our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab in all he commanded us. So we have not drunk wine all our lives?neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters.

NET Bible
We and our wives and our sons and daughters have obeyed everything our ancestor Jonadab commanded us. We have never drunk wine.

New Heart English Bible
We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters;

Webster's Bible Translation
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;

World English Bible
We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And we listen to the voice of Jonadab son of Rechab, our father, to all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters;

Young's Literal Translation
'And we hearken to the voice of Jonadab son of Rechab, our father, to all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters;

Smith's Literal Translation
And we will hear to the voice of Jonadab son of Rechab our father, for all which he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all things that he commanded us: so as to drink no wine all our days: neither we, nor our wives, nor our sons, nor our daughters:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he has commanded us, so that we do not drink wine all our days, we and our wives, our sons and daughters.

New American Bible
We have obeyed Jonadab, Rechab’s son, our father, in everything that he commanded us: not drinking wine as long as we live—neither we nor our wives nor our sons nor our daughters;

New Revised Standard Version
We have obeyed the charge of our ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus we have obeyed the command of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he has charged us, to drink no wine all our days, neither we nor our wives nor our sons nor our daughters;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And we listen to the commandment of Yonadab, son of Rekab, our father, everything that he commanded us, that we shall not drink wine all of our days, not we, neither our wives, neither our sons, neither our daughters
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And we have hearkened to the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And we hearkened to the voice of Jonadab our father, so as to drink no wine all our days, we, and our wives, and our sons, and our daughters;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Obedience of the Rechabites
7Nor are you ever to build a house or sow seed or plant a vineyard. Those things are not for you. Instead, you must live in tents all your lives, so that you may live a long time in the land where you wander.’ 8And we have obeyed the voice of our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab in all he commanded us. So we have not drunk wine all our lives— neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters. 9Nor have we built houses in which to live, and we have not owned any vineyards or fields or crops.…

Cross References
Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Leviticus 19:3
Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Mark 7:10
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Luke 18:20
You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

2 Kings 10:15-16
When he left there, he found Jehonadab son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and asked, “Is your heart as true to mine as my heart is to yours?” “It is!” Jehonadab replied. “If it is,” said Jehu, “give me your hand.” So he gave him his hand, and Jehu helped him into his chariot, / saying, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!” So he had him ride in his chariot.

2 Kings 23:3
So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

2 Chronicles 34:31
So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book.

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he has charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;

Proverbs 1:8,9
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: …

Proverbs 4:1,2,10
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding…

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

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Charged Commanded Daughters Drink Hearkened Jonadab Obeyed Rechab Voice Wine Wives
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Charged Commanded Daughters Drink Hearkened Jonadab Obeyed Rechab Voice Wine Wives
Jeremiah 35
1. By the obedience of the Rechabites,
12. Jeremiah condemns the disobedience of the Jews.
18. God blesses the Rechabites for their obedience.














And we have obeyed the voice of our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab in all he commanded us.
The Rechabites were a nomadic group descended from Jonadab, who was a contemporary of Jehu, king of Israel (2 Kings 10:15-23). Jonadab's commands to his descendants were rooted in a desire to maintain a distinct identity and avoid the corrupting influences of settled life and idolatry. This obedience reflects a strong commitment to ancestral traditions, emphasizing the importance of honoring one's heritage and the wisdom of forebears. The Rechabites' adherence to Jonadab's commands serves as a contrast to the disobedience of Judah and Israel to God's commands, highlighting the theme of faithfulness.

So we have not drunk wine all our lives—
Abstaining from wine was a specific command from Jonadab, symbolizing a lifestyle of self-discipline and separation from the practices of surrounding nations. Wine in ancient Israel was a common part of daily life and religious rituals, making this abstention a significant act of devotion and distinction. This practice can be seen as a precursor to the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6:1-4), which also included abstaining from wine as a sign of dedication to God. The Rechabites' lifelong commitment to this command underscores the value of steadfastness in one's convictions.

neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters.
The inclusion of the entire family in this vow highlights the communal aspect of the Rechabite lifestyle. It reflects the biblical principle of household faith, where the spiritual leader's decisions impact the entire family unit (Joshua 24:15). This collective obedience serves as a model for the covenant community, illustrating the importance of unity and shared values in maintaining faithfulness to God's commands. The Rechabites' example challenges believers to consider the influence of their spiritual commitments on their families and communities.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.

2. Jonadab son of Rechab
The forefather of the Rechabites, who commanded his descendants to live a life of abstinence from wine and to dwell in tents.

3. Rechabites
A nomadic clan in Israel known for their strict adherence to the commands of their ancestor Jonadab.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel during the time of Jeremiah, often warned by prophets for their disobedience to God.

5. The Temple in Jerusalem
The setting where Jeremiah brings the Rechabites to test their obedience to their ancestor's commands.
Teaching Points
Obedience to Godly Heritage
The Rechabites' faithfulness to Jonadab's commands serves as a model for honoring and upholding godly traditions and teachings passed down through generations.

Counter-Cultural Living
Like the Rechabites, Christians are called to live distinctively, often in ways that contrast with societal norms, reflecting their commitment to God's commands.

Faithfulness in Small Things
The Rechabites' obedience in seemingly minor matters, such as abstaining from wine, underscores the importance of faithfulness in all areas of life.

The Power of Legacy
Jonadab's influence on his descendants highlights the lasting impact one person's faithfulness can have on future generations.

Testing and Proving Faith
Just as Jeremiah tested the Rechabites, believers may face situations that test their commitment to God's commands, providing opportunities to demonstrate their faith.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
We have obeyed
וַנִּשְׁמַ֗ע (wan·niš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the voice
בְּק֨וֹל (bə·qō·wl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of our forefather
אָבִ֔ינוּ (’ā·ḇî·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1: Father

Jonadab
יְהוֹנָדָ֤ב (yə·hō·w·nā·ḏāḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3082: Jonadab -- 'the LORD is noble', a Rechabite, also a nephew of David

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Rechab
רֵכָב֙ (rê·ḵāḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7394: Rechab -- perhaps 'band of riders', a Benjamite, also the head of a nomadic family

in all
לְכֹ֖ל (lə·ḵōl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

he commanded us.
צִוָּ֑נוּ (ṣiw·wā·nū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

So we have not
לְבִלְתִּ֤י (lə·ḇil·tî)
Preposition-l
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

drunk
שְׁתֽוֹת־ (šə·ṯō·wṯ-)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

wine
יַ֙יִן֙ (ya·yin)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

our lives—
יָמֵ֔ינוּ (yā·mê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3117: A day

neither we
אֲנַ֣חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

[nor] our wives
נָשֵׁ֔ינוּ (nā·šê·nū)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

[nor] sons
בָּנֵ֖ינוּ (bā·nê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1121: A son

[nor] daughters.
וּבְנֹתֵֽינוּ׃ (ū·ḇə·nō·ṯê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1323: A daughter


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 35:8 We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab (Jer.)
Jeremiah 35:7
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