RECENT PERIOD (Lat. reeens. fresh. new). In geology, the name given to the epoch that has elapsed since the Pleistocene and the beginning of history. Many geologist now include it under the Pleistocene period (q-v-)• trace with any definiteness either their origin or history. According to II. Kings x. I5-2S, Jehonadab, the sun of Reehab, displayed great zeal for the Yahweh worship in the days of Jain In the days of Jeremiah the Rechabites are found in Judah and they took refuge in Jeru salem when Nebuchadnezzar invaded the land (Jer. xxxv.). In Nehemiah iii. 14, Malehialt, the son of Recital), is mentioned as one of those who assisted in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The Reehabites represent the extreme conserva tive element of the Hebrew and allied clans which maintained the old nomadic customs and rites and opposed the higher forms; of culture. They con tinued to live in tents, and their antagonism to agriculture manifests itself in their scruples about drinking wine (Jer. xxxv. 6-10). which in
the ancient Orient was a symbol of agricultural fertility. This element was probably not limited to any single clan; the same conservative tend ency appears in various incidents in the Old Tes tament. For example, in the narrative of Cain and Abel a distinct preference is shown for Abel, the pastoral nomad. over Cain. the agriculturist. And again in Genesis ix. 20-27 the Rechabite point of view is represented in the story of Noah and the vineyard which he planted. Consult the Old Testament theologies of Oehler, Schultz, and Dillmann; also Smend, 0lestunicntliche gionsgeschirhlc (Freiburg.. 1S93) ; Robertson Smith, Re/igion of the i:emites (2d ed., London, 1894) ; Bennett. Commentary on Jeremiah (ib., 1895) ; Budde. The Religion of Israel to the Exile (New York, 1899).