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:

JEREMIAH 35:6KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 35:6 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 35:6 mean?

Jeremiah 35:6 records the Rechabites refusing to drink wine because their ancestor, Jonadab son of Rechab, commanded them never to do so, and they have obeyed this instruction for generations. This verse highlights their loyalty to their family tradition and their commitment to obeying the command of their forefather.

In this scene, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking with the Rechabite family at God’s direction, testing whether they will obey their ancestor’s command. The Rechabites’ response shows their faithfulness to Jonadab’s instructions, even when offered wine in a setting where it would be easy to compromise. This sets up a contrast in the chapter between the Rechabites’ obedience and the disobedience of the people of Judah to God’s commands.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 35:6

  • "Drink" (שָׁתָה, shatah): This word means "to drink," and its use here is direct and literal, emphasizing the specific action the Rechabites refuse.
  • "Wine" (יַיִן, yayin): The Hebrew word for wine is clear and refers to fermented grape drink, showing that the command was about a specific substance, not just any drink.
  • "Commanded" (צָוָה, tsavah): This word means "to command" or "to order," highlighting that Jonadab’s instruction was not a suggestion but an authoritative directive passed down as a binding family rule.
  • "Forever" (עוֹלָם, olam): This word often means "for a long duration" or "perpetually," showing that the Rechabites understood this command as something to be kept by all generations, not just temporarily.

Why Jeremiah 35:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Rechabites’ refusal was not based on personal preference but on a deeply rooted family command, making their obedience especially striking.
  • It sets up a powerful example of human loyalty and discipline, which Jeremiah later uses to highlight the contrast with the people of Judah, who have not listened to God’s commands.
  • The verse helps readers see the seriousness with which ancient families could treat ancestral instructions, shaping their identity and daily life for generations.

Where else these words appear

“Jonadab” Hebrew H3122 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Samuel 13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
  • 2 Samuel 13:32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
  • Jeremiah 35:10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.

“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 35:8 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;

“for” Hebrew H5704 · used in 97 verses

  • Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  • 1 Samuel 20:15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
  • Job 18:2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.

“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.