Jeremiah 35:11
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The Rechabites didn't just flee to Jerusalem; they "said, 'Come, and let us go to Jerusalem'" together, implying a collective decision and a shared acknowledgment of the threat. This wasn't simply passive refuge, but an active choice to seek safety in the fortified city when their usual nomadic life became untenable due to the invading armies.
But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land, we said, ‘Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and the army of the Syrians.’ So we are living in Jerusalem.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Rechabites, a nomadic group known for their strict adherence to their ancestor's commands not to drink wine or live in houses, explain their current presence in the city. They tell the prophet Jeremiah that when Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, along with Syrian allies, invaded Judah, they feared for their lives and sought refuge in Jerusalem for safety. This explains their temporary departure from their usual tent-dwelling lifestyle in the face of imminent danger.
Jeremiah 35 paints a picture of the Rechabites, a nomadic people known for their strict adherence to their ancestor's commands. Yet, here they are, living in the city of Jerusalem. What could possibly cause such a radical shift?
The Rechabites, in this account, explain their presence in Jerusalem as a direct response to an overwhelming threat. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was invading their land, bringing with him his armies and those of his allies, like the Syrians.
The Shadow of Invasion
Instead of staying in their traditional tents, vulnerable to the rampaging armies, the Rechabites made a collective decision: 'Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army...' They recognized that their usual way of life offered no protection against such a formidable military force. Jerusalem, as a fortified city, offered the only viable refuge.
This wasn't a casual move; it was a strategic retreat born out of genuine fear for their lives. It highlights how even deeply held traditions can be set aside when survival itself is at stake.
The Rechabites lived a life of radical simplicity, abstaining from wine and living in tents. It might seem like a life of hardship, but Jeremiah 35 shows it was a life surprisingly well-suited for turbulent times.
Jonadab, the Rechabites' ancestor, had a vision for his descendants: a life of simple obedience. He forbade them from drinking wine, planting vineyards, or living in houses. Their nomadic lifestyle in tents was key to this.
Agility in Crisis
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When Nebuchadnezzar's armies swept through the land, the Rechabites' austere lifestyle proved to be a hidden strength. Because they owned no fixed property and lived a life of mobility, they could pack up their belongings – their flocks, their tents, their entire existence – and move with relative ease. They weren't tied down by land or possessions.
This freedom from material attachments allowed them to make the swift decision to go to Jerusalem for safety. Their simplicity, far from being a weakness, was a practical advantage that enabled obedience and survival when others, bound by their possessions, might have faced exile or destruction.
Understand the original words
Nebukadnetstsar · Hebrew Proper Noun
An ancient Mesopotamian empire, often serving as God's instrument of judgment against disobedient nations, particularly Judah. Its power represents the transient, worldly strength that human nations trust in rather than the LORD.
The Rechabites' temporary move into Jerusalem during this invasion highlights how extreme circumstances can test even deeply held traditions, and how their unique lifestyle offered them a measure of protection and mobility others lacked.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's first Judean campaign
Nebuchadnezzar, after defeating the Egyptians at Carchemish, invaded Judah and besieged Jerusalem. King Jehoiakim became his vassal, and the first wave of exiles, including members of the royal family, were deported to Babylon.
c. 601 BC
Jehoiakim rebels against Babylon
After a period of vassalage, King Jehoiakim revolted against Nebuchadnezzar, likely encouraged by an indecisive battle between Babylon and Egypt. This rebellion set the stage for further Babylonian military action against Judah.
598-597 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem again
Nebuchadnezzar returned with his army, comprising Chaldeans and allied Syrians, to quell the rebellion. They besieged Jerusalem, forcing the people, including the Rechabites, to seek refuge within the city walls for safety.
597 BC
Second deportation to Babylon
Following the siege, Jerusalem fell. King Jehoiakim died or was killed, and his young son Jehoiachin was placed on the throne. Shortly after, Nebuchadnezzar deported Jehoiachin, his family, officials, and thousands of Judeans to Babylon, including many skilled craftsmen.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple
After another rebellion led by King Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar finally destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, deporting the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This marked the end of the kingdom of Judah.
This passage describes Nebuchadnezzar's invasion that likely prompted the Rechabites' move to Jerusalem, highlighting the external military threat they feared.
Jeremiah 4:5-6These verses describe the impending danger from the north that would cause people to flee to fortified cities, mirroring the Rechabites' fear and their decision to seek refuge in Jerusalem.
Matthew 24:15-16Jesus speaks of fleeing to the mountains when the abomination of desolation appears, showing that seeking refuge in times of extreme danger is a recurring theme in biblical history.
Luke 14:26-27Jesus emphasizes the radical commitment required of his followers, including the willingness to leave possessions and even family ties behind, which resonates with the Rechabites' disciplined, nomadic lifestyle and their temporary relocation for survival.
barnesJeremiah 35:11: "But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem."
The Syrians - The Septuagint substitutes Assyrians for Syrians, but marauding bands of the Aramaeans are probably meant.
pooleJeremiah 35:11: "But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem."
When the Chaldean army came into the land, they saw there would be no quiet abode for them any where but in some fortified place. The Syrians joined with the Chaldeans in this war, as we read, 2 Kings 24:2 . This they tell the prophet was the reaso…
The Rechabites didn't just flee to Jerusalem; they "said, 'Come, and let us go to Jerusalem'" together, implying a collective decision and a shared acknowledgment of the threat. This wasn't simply passive refuge, but an active choice to seek safety in the fortified city when their usual nomadic life became untenable due to the invading armies.
The Rechabites, a nomadic group known for their strict adherence to their ancestor's commands not to drink wine or live in houses, explain their current presence in the city. They tell the prophet Jeremiah that when Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, along with Syrian allies, invaded Judah, they feared for their lives and sought refuge in Jerusalem for safety. This explains their temporary departure from their usual tent-dwelling lifestyle in the face of imminent danger.
The Rechabites, a nomadic group known for their strict adherence to their ancestor's commands not to drink wine or live in houses, explain their current presence in the city. They tell the prophet Jeremiah that when Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, along with Syrian allies, invaded Judah, they feared for their lives and sought refuge in Jerusalem for safety. This explains their temporary departure from their usual tent-dwelling lifestyle in the face of imminent danger.
"But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land, we said, ‘Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and the army of the Syrians.’ So we are living in Jerusalem.”" — The Rechabites didn't just flee to Jerusalem; they "said, 'Come, and let us go to Jerusalem'" together, implying a collective decision and a shared acknowledgment of the threat. This wasn't simply pa…
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Last reviewed October 2026
