Rechabites

1 definition found

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Rechabites
     the descendants of Rechab through Jonadab or Jehonadab. They
     belonged to the Kenites, who accompanied the children of Israel
     into Palestine, and dwelt among them. Moses married a Kenite
     wife (Judg. 1:16), and Jael was the wife of "Heber the Kenite"
     (4:17). Saul also showed kindness to the Kenites (1 Sam. 15:6).


     The main body of the Kenites dwelt in cities, and adopted
     settled habits of life (30:29); but Jehonadab forbade his
     descendants to drink wine or to live in cities. They were
     commanded to lead always a nomad life. They adhered to the law
     laid down by Jonadab, and were noted for their fidelity to the
     old-established custom of their family in the days of Jeremiah
     (35); and this feature of their character is referred to by the
     prophet for the purpose of giving point to his own exhortation.
     They are referred to in Neh. 3:14 and 1 Chr. 2:55. Dr. Wolff
     (1839) found in Arabia, near Mecca, a tribe claiming to be
     descendants of Jehonadab; and recently a Bedouin tribe has been
     found near the Dead Sea who also profess to be descendants of
     the same Kenite chief.