The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.

JEREMIAH 35:14KJV
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Jeremiah 35:14 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 35:14 mean?

Jeremiah 35:14 points out that the descendants of Jonadab son of Rechab have faithfully obeyed their ancestor’s command not to drink wine, while the people of Judah have ignored God’s repeated instructions. The verse highlights the contrast between human loyalty to family tradition and the people’s lack of response to God’s own words.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah. The situation involves the Rechabites, a group who strictly followed their ancestor’s command not to drink wine, as a living example of obedience. God uses their faithfulness to show how much more the people of Judah should have listened to Him, since He has persistently spoken to them (“rising early and speaking”), but they have not paid attention.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 35:14

  • דִּבְרֵי (divrei, “words”): This word refers to the instructions or commands given by Jonadab. The verse draws a direct comparison between the “words” of a human ancestor and the “words” of God, emphasizing whose commands are actually being followed.
  • שָׁמַע (shamaʿ, “obey” or “hearken”): Used here for both the Rechabites’ obedience to Jonadab and Judah’s failure to listen to God. The same word highlights the different responses to authority—faithful obedience to a human, but not to God.
  • הַשְׁכֵּם (hashkem, “rising early”): This phrase means God has been persistent and diligent in sending His messages, not just speaking once but making repeated efforts to reach the people.
  • צִוָּה (tsivvah, “commanded”): This word is used for Jonadab’s instruction to his sons, showing the seriousness with which the Rechabites treated their ancestor’s command.

Why Jeremiah 35:14 matters

  • Jeremiah 35:14 clears up the idea that the people of Judah lacked examples of obedience; the Rechabites’ faithfulness is used as a living proof that obedience is possible.
  • The verse emphasizes how God’s repeated and patient communication (“rising early and speaking”) makes Judah’s disobedience even more striking and inexcusable.
  • This verse connects to the larger message of Jeremiah 35, where the obedience of the Rechabites is contrasted with Judah’s stubbornness, highlighting the importance of listening to God’s voice above all others.

Where else these words appear

“Jonadab” Hebrew H3082 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Samuel 13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
  • 2 Kings 10:23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
  • Jeremiah 35:16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:

“Rechab” Hebrew H7394 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 4:2 And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin:(for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:
  • 2 Kings 10:15 And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
  • Jeremiah 35:6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:

“early” Hebrew H7925 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Judges 6:38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.

“wine” Hebrew H3196 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
  • Isaiah 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.