RECHAB (re-kab), ray-kazub% rider; Sept.'Pnxdp, rechab).
1- The son of Hemath the Kenite, and probably a descendant of Jethro (see KENITES) ; he is only known as the father of Jonadab, the founder of the sect of Rechabites, which took from him its name (2 Kings x :15; 1 Chron. ii:55; Jer. xxxv:6), B. C. before 882.
2. One of the assassins of Ishbosheth, son of Saul (2 Sam. iv :2, sq.). He was a son of Rim mon the Beerothite (B. C. 1046).
3. The father of Malchiah, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem, and mentioned as repairing the dung-gate of Jerusalem in the time of Nehe miah (Nell. Hi:14), B. C. before 446. RECHABITES (re'kab-ites), (Heb. ray kaw-bece).
The tribe or family of Kenites, whom Jona dab, the son of Rechab, subjected to a new rule of life; or rather bound to the continued observ ance of ancient usages which were essential to their separate existence, but which the progress of their intercourse with towns seemed likely soon to extinguish. By thus maintaining their independent existence as a pastoral people, they would keep themselves from being involved in the distractions and internal wars of the country. would be in no danger of becoming objects of jealousy and suspicion to the Israelites, and would be able at all times to remove from a country in which there were strangers. The Rechabites found so much advantage in these rules that they observed them with great strictness for about 30o years, when we first become aware of their existence. Jeremiah brings some Rechabites into
one of the chambers of the Temple, and sets be fore them pots full of wine, and cups. saying, 'Drink ye wine ;' on which it is well observed by Gataker and others that the prophet omits the usual formula, 'Thus saith the Lord,' which would have constrained obedience in men so pious as the Rechabites, even at the expense of in fringing their rule of life. But now they answer, 'Vie will drink no wine; for Jonadab, the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye nor your sons for ever. Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any; but all your days ye shall dwell in tents, that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers' (Jer. xxxv :6, 7).
Some highly interesting facts are known re specting the present condition of the Rechabites. They still dwell in the mountainous tropical coun try to the northeast of Medina. They are called Beni Khaibr, "sons of Heber," and their land is called Khaibr. They have no intercourse with their brethren, the Jews, who are dispersed over Asia, and are esteemed as "false brethren" be cause they observe not the Law.