Rechabite
The Rechabites it was probably originally a non-Israelite tribe, who had maintained his nomadic lifestyle among the sedentary population in the Kingdom of Judah until the time of Nebuchadnezzar II. According to Jer 35.6 EU was their ancestor Jonadab, the son of Rechab.
Since 1 Chr 2,55 EU mentions several kenitische clans who lived among the descendants of Caleb in the tribe of Judah, were descendants of Caleb or not Judah, but " of Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab ," it was apparently at the Rechabites to relatives of the Kenites. (See: Jabal, the ancestor of all " who dwell in tents and in the livestock ", and his half-brother Tubal- Cain, who " forged the devices of all ore and iron workers " )
In the period of military campaigns of Nebuchadnezzar against the kingdom of Judah, the Rechabites had sought refuge in Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah in Jer 35.1 to 19 EU praises the community of the Rechabites for their obedience to the commandments of their ancestors, who had also forbidden the use of wine as the sedentary lifestyle with agriculture and viticulture. Instead, they should live in tents, in the country where they were staying as strangers ( v. 7). For this they received from the Prophet 's promise: " Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel saith, There never Jonadab the son of Rechab, lack a progeny, which is in my service. "
Eusebius of Caesarea called the Community of the Nazarite also Rechabites.
1839 Joseph Wolff discovered in Yemen Sanaa near a tribe which referred to the offspring of Jonadab; End of the 19th century a Bedouin tribe was found in the Dead Sea with a similar claim.