rechabites

1 definition found

rechabites - Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary :

  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.