Jeremiah 35:2 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.

Rechabites - a nomadic tribe belonging to the Kenites of Hemath (1 Chronicles 2:55), of the family of Jethro, or Hobab, Moses' father-in-law (Exodus 18:9, etc.; Numbers 10:29-32; Judges 1:16). They came into Canaan with the Israelites, but, in order to preserve their independence, chose a life in tents without a fixed habitation (1 Samuel 15:6). Besides the branch of them associated with Judah, and extending to Amalek, there was another section at Kedesh, in Naphtali (Judges 4:11; Judges 4:17). They seem to have been proselytes of the gate, Jonadab, son of Rechab, whose charge not to drink wine they so strictly obeyed, was zealous for God, and was associated by Jehu with him in the slaughter of the worshippers of Baal (2 Kings 10:15-23). The Nabatheans of Arabia observed the same rules (Diodolus Siculus, 19: 94).

Bring them into the house of the Lord - because there were suitable witnesses at hand there from among the priests and chief men, as also because he had the power immediately to address the people assembled there (Jeremiah 35:13). It may have been also as a reproof of the priests who drank wine freely, though commanded to refrain from it when in the discharge of their duties (Calvin).

Chambers - which were round about the temple, applied to various uses-e.g., to contain the vestments, sacred vessels, etc.

Jeremiah 35:2

2 Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.