10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
10 We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab commanded us.
10 but we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
10 We live in tents as nomads. We've listened to our ancestor Jonadab and we've done everything he commanded us.
10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
10 We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed all the commands of Jehonadab, our ancestor.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 35:10
Commentary on Jeremiah 35:1-11
(Read Jeremiah 35:1-11)
Jonadab was famous for wisdom and piety. He lived nearly 300 years before, 2 Kings 10:15. Jonadab charged his posterity not to drink wine. He also appointed them to dwell in tents, or movable dwelling: this would teach them not to think of settling any where in this world. To keep low, would be the way to continue long in the land where they were strangers. Humility and contentment are always the best policy, and men's surest protection. Also, that they might not run into unlawful pleasures, they were to deny themselves even lawful delights. The consideration that we are strangers and pilgrims should oblige us to abstain from all fleshly lusts. Let them have little to lose, and then losing times would be the less dreadful: let them sit loose to what they had, and then they might with less pain be stript of it. Those are in the best frame to meet sufferings who live a life of self-denial, and who despise the vanities of the world. Jonadab's posterity observed these rules strictly, only using proper means for their safety in a time of general suffering.