Rechabites
The Rechabites (/ˈrɛkəbaɪts/) are a biblical clan, the descendants of Rechab through Jehonadab.
Biblical sources
One theory is the Rechabites belonged to the
The Rechabites adhered to the law laid down by
Claims of descent from the Rechabites
The Mekhilta tells a story—presumably dating to the late Second Temple period—of Rechabites, known as "sons of water drinkers" due to their abstention from wine.[6]
Rabbi Halafta (1st–2nd centuries) was a descendant of the Rechabites.[7]
The apocryphal Story of Zosimus, from late antiquity, details the journey of a monk named Zosimus to the "Land of the Rechabites".
In 1839 the Reverend
Many Muslims still claim descent from Rechab, along with the nearly-universal claim of Arabs to be descended from Abraham through Ishmael (Ismail).
Similar later groups
The term Rechabites also refers to a religious order, similar in some ways to the Nazirites, and they are mentioned by Eusebius of Emesa.[9]
In more recent times, the name has been used by Christian groups keen to promote total abstinence from alcohol, such as the Independent Order of Rechabites.[10]
References
- ^ 1 Samuel 30:29
- ^ Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. .
- ^ Jeremiah 35
- ^ Jeremiah 35:14
- ^ They are referred to in Nehemiah 3:14 and 1 Chronicles 2:55
- ^ Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael, Yithro, Amalek 2
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia "Halafta"
- ^ Rechabites – Easton's Bible Dictionary
- ^ Eusebius; H. E. ii. 23
- ^ Alan Axelrod. International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders. New York: Facts on File, inc., 1997, p. 206.
Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Easton, Matthew George (1897). "Rechabites". Easton's Bible Dictionary (New and revised ed.). T. Nelson and Sons.
Online sources
- “Rechabites,” Jewish Encyclopedia
- . . 1914.