Bible Dictionary
Rechabites
The Rechabites were descendants of Rechab through Jehonadab. They were known for refusing wine, dwelling in tents, and faithfully preserving their ancestor’s commands.
Definition
The Rechabites were descendants of Rechab through Jehonadab, or Jonadab. They belonged to the Kenites and were distinguished by their obedience to the commands of their ancestor.
Biblical Usage
Jehonadab commanded the Rechabites not to drink wine, live in cities, or abandon their nomadic way of life. In Jeremiah’s time they faithfully preserved these commands, and their obedience was used to give force to the prophet’s exhortation.
Historical Background
The Kenites lived among the Israelites, though some adopted settled habits while the Rechabites retained a nomadic life. The supplied material mentions later groups in Arabia and near the Dead Sea claiming descent from Jehonadab.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The descendants of Rechab through Jonadab or Jehonadab. They belonged to the Kenites, who accompanied the children of Israel into Palestine, and dwelt among them. Moses married a Kenite wife (Judg. 1:16), and Jael was the wife of “Heber the Kenite” (4:17). Saul also showed kindness to the Kenites (1 Sam. 15:6). The main body of the Kenites dwelt in cities, and adopted settled habits of life (30:29); but Jehonadab forbade his descendants to drink wine or to live in cities. They were commanded to lead always a nomad life. They adhered to the law laid down by Jonadab, and were noted for their fidelity to the old-established custom of their family in the days of Jeremiah (35); and this feature of their character is referred to by the prophet for the purpose of giving point to his own exhortation. They are referred to in Neh. 3:14 and 1 Chr. 2:55. Dr. Wolff (1839) found in Arabia, near Mecca, a tribe claiming to be descendants of Jehonadab; and recently a Bedouin tribe has been found near the Dead Sea who also profess to be descendants of the same Kenite chief.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Rechab]