History Section (Chapters 8–10)

The story found in chapters 8–10 of the History of the Rechabites may have its source in Jeremiah’s promise of eternal descendants for Jonadab son of Rechab (Jer 35:19). Chapter 8 recasts Jeremiah’s wine test as an earlier event, saying that when the Rechabites refused to disobey their ancestor Rechab, God was impressed with their faith, relented in sending judgment, and “turned back from his fierce anger” (History of the Rechabites 8:6; trans. Charlesworth, “History of the Rechabites,” 454).

Chapters 9–10 relate how a later king comes upon the throne in the days after Jeremiah and tries to force the Rechabites to drink wine and live a normal, domestic life. When they refuse, he places them in prison. The Rechabites describe how, “on the first night, a brilliant light shone upon us; and angels of God in glorious form appeared to us. And they led all of us out from prison, and placed us in the air that is above the land, and brought us to this place in which you now see us, and allowed us to dwell in it” (History of the Rechabites 10:5–6; trans. Charlesworth, “History of the Rechabites,” 455).