King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 35:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 35:8 in the King James Version says “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 a... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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;

Jeremiah 35:8 · KJV


Context

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:

7

Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.

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;

9

Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:

10

But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab (שָׁמַעְנוּ בְּקוֹל shama'nu b'qol)—The verb shama' means both 'hear' and 'obey,' the same word God used of Israel's covenant obligation (Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema). To drink no wine all our days—The abstinence from יַיִן (yayin) wasn't Nazirite asceticism (Numbers 6) but memorial discipline, keeping alive the memory of wilderness dependence.

The comprehensive obedience—we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters—demonstrates multi-generational covenant faithfulness. What Judah failed to pass to their children (knowledge of Yahweh, Jeremiah 9:3-6), the Rechabites successfully transmitted: a living tradition of obedience. Their fidelity magnifies Judah's failure—if pagans' descendants keep ancestral commands, how much more should covenant children obey the living God?

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This testimony occurred during the Babylonian siege (605-586 BC), when the Rechabites fled to Jerusalem for refuge (v. 11). Even under existential threat—war, displacement, famine—they maintained their ancestral vows, demonstrating that true obedience persists through crisis, not just prosperity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual disciplines have you maintained 'all your days' with the Rechabites' consistency, or do you obey God only when convenient?
  2. How effectively are you transmitting obedience to the next generation—wives, sons, daughters—or does faithfulness die with you?
  3. Why do you think the Rechabites' obedience to a fallible ancestor shames many Christians' selective obedience to an infallible God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַנִּשְׁמַ֗ע1 of 18

Thus have we obeyed

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּק֨וֹל2 of 18

the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוֹנָדָ֤ב3 of 18

of Jonadab

H3082

jehonadab, the name of an israelite and of an arab

בָּנֵ֖ינוּ4 of 18

our sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

רֵכָב֙5 of 18

of Rechab

H7394

rekab, the name of two arabs and of two israelites

אָבִ֔ינוּ6 of 18

our father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לְכֹ֖ל7 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֑נוּ9 of 18

in all that he hath charged

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לְבִלְתִּ֤י10 of 18
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

שְׁתֽוֹת11 of 18

us to drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

יַ֙יִן֙12 of 18

no wine

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

כָּל13 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יָמֵ֔ינוּ14 of 18

all our days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֲנַ֣חְנוּ15 of 18
H587

we

נָשֵׁ֔ינוּ16 of 18

we our wives

H802

a woman

בָּנֵ֖ינוּ17 of 18

our sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבְנֹתֵֽינוּ׃18 of 18

nor our daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 35:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 35:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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