Rechab
“Rider, horseman”
Summary
Rechab is the name of three men in Scripture, most notably the father of Jehonadab who founded the ascetic Rechabite community that remained faithful to their ancestral commands for centuries.
☩Rechab the Kenite
The most significant Rechab was the father (or ancestor) of Jehonadab (Jonadab), who joined Jehu in destroying Baal worship in Israel. According to 1 Chronicles 2:55, his descendants were Kenites, descended from the non-Israelite tribe that had joined Israel during the wilderness wanderings. Jehonadab instituted a strict rule of life for his descendants: they were to drink no wine, build no houses, sow no seed, plant no vineyards, but dwell in tents all their days. This ascetic lifestyle served as a safeguard against the corrupting influences of Canaanite civilization and as a covenant of fidelity to Yahweh.
☩The Rechabites' Faithfulness
In Jeremiah's day, more than 250 years after Jehonadab, the Rechabites still faithfully observed their ancestor's commands. When Jeremiah offered them wine in the temple, they refused, explaining their vow. God used their faithfulness to rebuke Judah's unfaithfulness: "The sons of Jonadab have performed the commandment of their father... but ye have not hearkened unto me." As a reward for their obedience, God promised that Jehonadab's descendants would never lack a man to stand before Him. Tradition holds that Rechabites were eventually incorporated into the Levitical order.
☩Other Persons Named Rechab
Another Rechab was a captain who, with his brother Baanah, murdered Ish-bosheth the son of Saul in his bed, thinking to gain David's favor. Instead, David executed them for their treacherous crime. A third Rechab was the father of Malchiah, who repaired the Dung Gate in Jerusalem's wall under Nehemiah's leadership. The name Rechab means "rider," possibly referring to a horseman or charioteer.
Related Verses14 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rechab," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rechab; Rechabites," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Rechab," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rechab," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 5.George Morrish, "Rechab," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).