Definition: Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 35:8. It's a pretty interesting and somewhat unusual passage about a king and his people. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very strict rule that King Josiah made for his people after a significant tragedy. Basically, he commanded them to completely abstain from drinking wine and any other alcoholic beverages – all the way through their lives. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father…” : This refers to King Josiah’s father, Jonadab, who was a leader in ancient Israel. The “voice” here is likely a command or instruction from him. “…in all that he hath charged us…” : Josiah was giving this rule as a result of the consequences of something he did – a devastating event. He was asking for permission to follow his father’s instructions, essentially saying, “Let us do this.” “to drink no wine all our days…” : This is the core of the verse. He ordered that everyone in the kingdom should never consume alcohol. “we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters” : This specifies who was supposed to follow this rule – every single member of the king’s family – men, women, and children. What's the Significance? This verse is a very unusual example of strict religious law in ancient Israel. It highlights a few things: Strict Obedience: Josiah was taking his responsibility to follow God’s commands very seriously. Consequences for Breaking the Rule: The verse suggests that breaking this rule had serious repercussions, leading to a tragic event (the disaster described in Jeremiah). Focus on God's Will: It demonstrates a strong emphasis on obeying God's instructions above all else. In short, this verse is about a king’s incredibly strict rule to abstain from alcohol, with the understanding that it was a consequence of his actions and a demonstration of absolute obedience. Do you have any specific questions about this verse that I can answer for you? For example, would you like me to: Explain its historical context? Discuss what it might symbolize?