Jeremiah 35:16

16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’

Jeremiah 35:16 in Other Translations

16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:

16 The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me.

16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Recab have obeyed their ancestor completely, but you have refused to listen to me.’

16 The descendants of Jonadab son of Recab carried out to the letter what their ancestor commanded them, but this people ignores me.'

16 Yes, the sons of Jonadab son of Rechab carried out their ancestor's command he gave them, but these people have not obeyed Me.

Jeremiah 35:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 35:16

Because the son of Jonadab the son of Rechab
Here we have the contrast between the Rechabites and the Israelites; the obedience of the one, and the disobedience of the other; the design of which is to aggravate and expose the sin of the Jews, since the former have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded
them;
that particular commandment of not drinking wine, which they had never once violated in such a course of time; nor could they now be prevailed upon, even by the prophet himself, to do it: but this people hath not hearkened unto me;
the Lord their God, their father that bought them, made them, and established them. Gross ingratitude! ( Deuteronomy 32:6 ) .

Jeremiah 35:16 In-Context

14 ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.

15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me.

16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’

17 “Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.’ ”

18 Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’

Cross References

• 1. S Leviticus 20:9; Malachi 1:6