View source for Rechabites

{{Short description|Biblical clan}}
{{about|the biblical clan|the Christian groups which promote abstinence from alcohol|Independent Order of Rechabites}}
The '''Rechabites''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɛ|k|ə|b|aɪ|t|s}}) were a [[Hebrew Bible|Biblical]] clan, the descendants of [[Rechab]] through [[Jehonadab]].

==Biblical sources and theories==

The Rechabites adhered to the law laid down by their ancestor [[Jehonadab]], forbidding them to drink wine, to own land or vineyards, or to live in cities.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Rechab and the Rechabites}}</ref> They were commanded to always lead a nomadic life. They were noted for their fidelity to the old established custom of their family in the days of [[Jeremiah]];<ref>[[Jeremiah 35]]</ref> and this feature of their character is referred to by God for the purpose of giving point to his message to the [[King of Judah]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Jeremiah|35:14|HE}}</ref><ref>They are referred to in {{bibleverse|Nehemiah|3:14|HE}} and {{bibleverse|1|Chronicles|2:55|HE}}</ref> As a reward for their fidelity, God proclaims that there will always be a descendant of [[Jehonadab|Jonadab]] in his service.

One theory is the Rechabites belonged to the [[Kenite]]s, who accompanied the [[Israelites]] into the [[Holy Land]] and dwelt among them; the sources of information are few and unclear. Kenites dwelt in cities and adopted settled habits of life.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Samuel|30:29|HE}}</ref> 

==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.<ref>[[Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael]], [https://www.sefaria.org.il/Mekhilta_d'Rabbi_Yishmael.18.24.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Yithro, Amalek 2]</ref>

Rabbi [[Halafta]] (1st–2nd centuries) was a descendant of the Rechabites.<ref>[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7073-halafta ''Jewish Encyclopedia'' "Halafta"]</ref>

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 [[Joseph Wolff]] found in [[Yemen]], near [[Sanaa]], a tribe claiming to be descendants of Jehonadab; and in the late nineteenth century a [[Bedouin]] tribe was found near the [[Dead Sea]] who also professed to be descendants of Jehonadab.<ref>[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/easton/ebd2.html?term=Rechabites Rechabites] – ''[[Easton's Bible Dictionary]]''</ref>

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 [[Nazirite]]s, and they are mentioned by [[Eusebius of Emesa]].<ref>Eusebius; H. E. ii. 23</ref> 

In more recent times, the name has been used by [[Christians|Christian]] groups keen to promote [[Christian views on alcohol|total abstinence from alcohol]], such as the [[Independent Order of Rechabites]].<ref>[[Alan Axelrod]]. ''International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders''. New York: Facts on File, inc., 1997, p. 206.</ref> 

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Attribution==
{{eastons|title=Rechabites|url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/easton/ebd2.html?term=Rechabites}}

==Online sources==
*[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/12616-rechabites “Rechabites,” ''Jewish Encyclopedia'']
*{{Cite NSRW|wstitle=Rechabites, The|short=x}}

[[Category:Hebrew Bible nations]]
[[Category:Temperance movement]]
[[Category:Kenites]]