Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 35

The house - The family.

The Rechabites - The Rechabites were a nomadic tribe, not of Jewish but of Kenite race, and connected with the Amalekites (Numbers 24:21; 1 Samuel 15:6). From whom, however, they had separated themselves and made a close alliance with the tribe of Judah (Judges 1:16), on whose southern borders they took up their dwelling (1 Samuel 27:10).

However, while the main body of the Kenites gradually adopted settled habits and lived in cities (1 Samuel 30:29), the Rechabites persisted in leading the free desert life. In this determination, they were finally confirmed by the influence and authority of Jonadab, who lived in Jehu’s reign. He was a zealous adherent of Yahweh (2 Kings 10:15–17) and possibly a religious reformer; and as the names of the men mentioned in the present narrative are all compounded with Yah, it is plain that the tribe continued their allegiance to Him.

The object of Jonadab in endeavoring to preserve the nomad habits of his race was probably twofold. He wished first to maintain among them the purer morality and higher feeling of the desert, contrasted with the laxity and effeminacy of the city life; and secondly, he was anxious for the preservation of their freedom. Their punctilious obedience (Jeremiah 35:14) to Jonadab’s precepts is employed by Jeremiah to teach a useful lesson for his own people.

The date of the prophecy is the interval between the battle of Carchemish and the appearance of Nebuchadnezzar at Jerusalem (Jeremiah 35:11), at the end of the same year. It is consequently 17 years earlier than the narrative in (Jeremiah 34:8 and following).

Jaazaniah was the chief of that portion of the tribe which had taken refuge in Jerusalem.

The title man of God, that is, prophet, belongs to Hanan, identified by many with Hanani (2 Chronicles 16:7). The sons of Hanan were probably his disciples. If so, we find a religious school or sect, regularly established in the precincts of the temple, of whose views and modes of interpretation we know nothing. Plainly, however, the Hananites were friendly to Jeremiah and lent him their hall for his purpose.

The chamber of the princes — Probably the council chamber in which the great officers of state met for the dispatch of business.

The keeper of the door — There were three of these keepers, corresponding to the outer and inner courts of the temple, and the entrance to the temple itself. They were officers of high rank, having precedence next to the high priest and his deputy.

Pots — “Bowls,” to fill the cups.

Wine is the symbol of a settled life, because the vine requires time for its growth and care in its cultivation, while the preparation of the wine itself requires buildings, and it then has to be stored up before it is ready for use. The drink of nomads consists of the milk of their herds (Jeremiah 35:7).

Strangers: This is because they were not of Jewish blood, though wandering in their territory.