Rechabites [N] [T] [S]

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 ( Judges 1:16 ), and Jael was the wife of "Heber the Kenite" ( 4:17 ). Saul also showed kindness to the Kenites ( 1 Samuel 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  Nehemiah 3:14 and  1 Chronicles 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.