Jeremiah 35

Jeremiah 35:1

THe word which came, &c.] Chap. 1. 2, 4.

in the dayes of Jehoiakim] For the disposition and order of these Prophecies, see on Chap. 27. 1.

Jeremiah 35:2

the Rechabites] These were by originall Kenites, descended from Jethro or Hobab, Moses his father in law: Judg. 1. 16. & 4. 11. 1 Chron. 2. 55. who had therefore no possessions of their own among Gods people, but lived upon their imployments.

into one of the chambers] Which were adjoyning to and about the Temple and the courts thereof, for the Priests to lodge in; and for the holy vestments, oblations and the like to be stowed in. 1 Chronicles 28:11; 1 Chronicles 12:1 King. 6. 5, 6, 10. 2 Chronicles 3:11. Ezek. 40. 17, 44-46. & 41. 6. & 42. 13.

Jeremiah 35:4

into the chamber of the sonnes, &c.] Whose course, it seemeth, was to wait and serve that week. See 1 Chron. 24. 5, 6. & 25. 1, 2, &c. 2 Chron. 23. 4, 8.

of Hanan] Whom some suppose to be that Hanani mentioned 2 Chronicles 16:7. but that is uncertain, and not very probable.

a man of God] A prophet, or godly and faithfull teacher of Gods people. Deuteronomy 33:1. Psalms 90:1. 1 Timothy 6:11.

by the chamber of the princes] Of the chief next under the High-priest. Chap. 20. 1. or, of the chief of that course, which was then in imployment. 2 Chronicles 23:4. Luke 1:5; Luke 1:8; Luke 1:23.

above the chamber of Maaseiah] For the chambers were built one above another. Ezekiel 41:5-6.

the keeper of the door] Heb. threshold. Ezekiel 43:8. or, vessel.Chap. 52. 19, 24. One of the Porters. 1 Chronicles 26:1. Whereof some had the charge of the holy vessels; and sometime also of the treasure. 1 Chronicles 9:27 to 1 Chronicles 29 :2 Kings 12:9.

Jeremiah 35:5

Drink ye wine] He saith not, Thus saith the Lord, Drink wine. For they ought then to have done it: but speaketh in this manner onely to try what they would do; and by their obedience to their ancestors charge, and constant esolution in the same, to convince and condemn the disobedience of his people. vers. 16.

Jeremiah 35:6

Jonadab] Of whom we read in the storie of Jehu. 2 Kings 10:15.

Ye shall drink no wine] He enjoyned them this austere course of life; either because they were to live by their labours, having no portion of inheritance in the land; or to enure them to hardship; as fore-seeing the calamities likely to befall the State they lived in.

Jeremiah 35:7

where ye be strangers] Or, sojourn. Exodus 12:49. For they were Kenites, or Midianites; not Israelites by descent. Exodus 2:16. & Exodus 3:1. 1 Chron. 2. 55.

Jeremiah 35:9

neither have we vineyard] Or, and that we should not have.

Jeremiah 35:10

But we have dwelt in tents] Or, we dwell therefore in tents. Ordinarily: save when necessitie enforceth us to do otherwise. vers. 11.

have obeyed, &c.] This, it seemeth, had been inviolably observed by them, well-neer the space of three hundred yeers, from Jehu to Jehoiakim.

Jeremiah 35:11

let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army] Heb. from the face of. Isaiah 21:15. & Isaiah 31:8. So in the next clause.

of the Syrians] Heb. Aramites. Isaiah 7:1. That joyned with, or served under the Chaldeans, in their expedition against Gods people. 2 Kings 24:2.

so we dwell at Jerusalem] Or, abide. Chap. 40. 5. vers. 15. So that, it seemeth, they held not themselves so strictly tied to these observances, but that in case of necessitie they might and did dispense with them.

Jeremiah 35:12

Then came, &c.] as Vers. 1.

Jeremiah 35:13

Will ye not receive instruction, &c.] Ye, whom I have chosen to be my people and children, above and before all the people in the world, who otherwise have as much interest in me as you. Deuteronomy 7:6.

Jeremiah 35:14

The words of Jonadab, &c.] When the children of one, by originall an heathen, living as strangers among you, do so punctually observe their fathers charge, and have constantly so done for so long a time together. vers. 8. 10.

notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, &c.] When I have from time to time so frequently and instantly minded you of my charge, and by my prophets called upon you for obedience thereunto. Chap. 7. 13. & 11. 7. See vers. 17.

Jeremiah 35:15

I have sent also unto you all my servants, &c.] Heb. And have sent unto. Or, For I have, &c. as Isaiah 63:5. or, I have even sent, &c. as Chap. 52. 13.

Return ye, &c.] Chap. 18. 11. & 25. 5.

and ye shall dwell in the land] Heb. sit; or, dwell. Psalms 37:27. Or, remain; abide. Chap. 40. 5, 10. vers. 11.

Jeremiah 35:17

because, &c.] Proverbs 1:24. Chap. 7. 23.

I have spoken unto them] By my ministers and messengers the Prophets. vers. 15. It being all one in effect, when God speaketh by them, as if he spake immediately by word of mouth himself. Isaiah 1:2; Isaiah 1:20. Chap. 15. 19. 2 Corinthians 5:20. & 2 Corinthians 13:3. Ephesians 2:17.

they have not heard] Or, would not hear. Psalms 81:11.

they have not answered] Or, would not answer. Chap. 7. 13.

Jeremiah 35:19

Jonadab shall not want a man to stand before me] Heb. There shall not a man be cut off from Jonadab the sonne of Rechab to stand before me. as Chap. 33. 17, 18. His posteritie shall continue in my favour for ever. Or, there shall be surviving of his posteritie among my people, so long as this State standeth. as Psalms 89:36. And it may well e, that there should some of them be imployed about the sacred offices concerning the Law: (as 1 King. 10. 8 & 17. 1.) for they were Scribes, and given to the study of literature. 1 Chron. 2. 55.

to stand before me] Deuteronomy 10:8. 1 Kings 17:1.

for ever] Which phrase is sometime taken, not absolutely, but with restriction and relation to the continuance of those things, on which that dependeth, whereunto it is applyed. as Genesis 17:13. Exodus 21:6. Numbers 18:8. and so here. So long as that State either civil or sacred should continue.