Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites;

JEREMIAH 35:3KJV
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Jeremiah 35:3 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 35:3 mean?

Jeremiah 35:3 describes how the prophet Jeremiah gathered Jaazaniah, his brothers, his sons, and the entire family of the Rechabites. The verse lists these people to show that Jeremiah involved the whole group, not just a few individuals, in what was about to happen.

Jeremiah is following God's instructions to bring the Rechabite family into a specific setting, which will soon become important in the story. The Rechabites were known for their strict lifestyle, and Jeremiah’s action here sets up a lesson for the people of Judah. The verse is careful to name Jaazaniah and his family, highlighting the completeness and formality of Jeremiah’s invitation.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 35:3

  • "took" (לָקַח, laqach): This word means to take, bring, or fetch. The use of this word shows Jeremiah’s active role in personally gathering the Rechabites, not just sending for them.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): Here, "house" means the whole extended family or clan, not just a physical building. This emphasizes that Jeremiah involved the entire Rechabite community.
  • "Rechabites" (רֵכָבִי, Rekhavi): This term identifies a specific group with a unique tradition and background, making it clear that this is not just any family but a group with a distinct identity and history.

Why Jeremiah 35:3 matters

  • Jeremiah 35:3 shows that Jeremiah did not act on his own ideas but followed God’s instructions exactly, gathering the whole Rechabite family as God directed.
  • The verse sets the stage for the lesson that follows, making it clear that the actions and responses of the Rechabites represent their entire community, not just a few members.
  • By naming Jaazaniah and his family, the verse gives a historical anchor, showing that these were real people and families involved in the events, not just a symbolic story.

Where else these words appear

“Jaazaniah” Hebrew H2970 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:23 And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
  • Ezekiel 8:11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.
  • Ezekiel 11:1 Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

“Rechabites” Hebrew H7397 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:12 And Eshton begat Bethrapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These are the men of Rechah.
  • Jeremiah 35:2 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.
  • Jeremiah 35:5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.