Lexical Summary Rekah: Rekah Original Word: רֵכָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rechah Probably feminine from rakak; softness; Rekah, a place in Palestine -- Rechah. see HEBREW rakak Brown-Driver-Briggs רֵכָה proper name, of a location in Judah; — 1 Chronicles 4:12, Πηχαβ. Topical Lexicon Overview The word רֵכָה (Strong’s 7397) gathers two closely related ideas: (1) a Judahite locality called Recah (1 Chronicles 4:12) and (2) the clan of the Rechabites, featured prominently in Jeremiah 35. Together they trace the account of a family that modeled unwavering obedience across the centuries. Occurrences 1 Chronicles 4:12; Jeremiah 35:2; Jeremiah 35:3; Jeremiah 35:5; Jeremiah 35:18. Genealogical Background • The Rechabites descend from Rechab through Jonadab (or Jehonadab), who appears in the northern kingdom during Jehu’s purge of Baal worship (2 Kings 10:15–27). Lifestyle and Vow Jonadab bound his household to a three-fold rule: total abstinence from wine, a nomadic existence in tents, and refusal to own farmland or vineyards. This was more than asceticism; it preserved a pilgrim identity, resisting Canaanite urban influence and maintaining readiness for the Lord’s service. Object Lesson in Jeremiah 35 Six generations later (about 605 BC) Jeremiah brings the Rechabites into a temple chamber and offers them wine. “But they replied, ‘We do not drink wine, for our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us…’” (Jeremiah 35:6–7). Their steadfast refusal becomes a living sermon: Judah ignores divine warnings, yet these nomads still heed an ancestral voice. The contrast exposes the nation’s covenant breach (Jeremiah 35:13–17). Prophetic Promise Because of their obedience the Lord declares, “Jonadab son of Rechab will never fail to have a man to stand before Me” (Jeremiah 35:19). This perpetual line—unbroken worshippers within Israel—anticipates the remnant theme fulfilled in Messiah’s community. Theological Themes 1. Obedience vs. Ritualism – Rechabite faithfulness, though voluntary and extra-mosaic, pleases God more than Judah’s empty sacrifices. Geographical Note: Recah Recah likely lay in the Shephelah of Judah, near Beth-rapha and Paseah (1 Chronicles 4:11–12). Though its precise location is lost, the mention situates the clan within Judah’s domain, demonstrating early integration of Kenite stock into Israelite territory. Ministry Applications • Vow-keeping: The Rechabites encourage moderation and integrity in personal commitments. Later Tradition and Possible Continuity Jewish sources speak of Rechabite communities persisting after the exile. Some early church writers saw in them precursors to Christian monasticism, though Scripture presents them as laypeople within normal covenant life rather than a cloistered order. Christological Reflection Jonadab’s line “standing before” the Lord anticipates the priestly company made righteous by Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:6). Their tented sojourning points forward to the Word who “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14), and their obedience foreshadows the Son who “learned obedience” and fulfilled it perfectly (Hebrews 5:8). Contemporary Relevance Modern believers, surrounded by cultural excess, find in the Rechabites a call to sober-minded simplicity, fidelity to Scripture, and patient endurance. Their example assures that God still honors quiet faithfulness, preserving a witness for Himself in every generation. Forms and Transliterations הָרֵכָבִ֗ים הָרֵכָבִ֜ים הָרֵכָבִֽים׃ הָרֵכָבִים֒ הרכבים הרכבים׃ רֵכָֽה׃ רכה׃ hā·rê·ḵā·ḇîm harechaVim hārêḵāḇîm rê·ḵāh reChah rêḵāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 4:12 HEB: אֵ֖לֶּה אַנְשֵׁ֥י רֵכָֽה׃ ס NAS: These are the men of Recah. KJV: These [are] the men of Rechah. INT: These are the men of Recah Jeremiah 35:2 Jeremiah 35:3 Jeremiah 35:5 Jeremiah 35:18 5 Occurrences |
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