History of the Rechabites

The History of the Rechabites is an ancient apocryphal account of an island nation led by Jonadab, the son of Rechab, which appears to be based on a brief account in the Book of Jeremiah.

The book shows heavy Hellenic influence, and the narrative is much like a typical Hellenic myth, particularly showing similarity to the tales of the Therapeutae. It begins with Zosimus, a hermit, continually begging God to show him the land of the Rechabites, until God finally relents and sends an angel to him to lead him there. The Rechabites are described as living without the benefit of human technology, enjoying the company of angels, leading an ascetic life, and eating only the luxurious fruits that grow on their fragrant island, and wearing no clothes.

References
  • Knights, Chris (December 1993). ""The Story of Zosimus" or "The History of the Rechabites"?". Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman Period. Brill. 24 (2): 235–245. JSTOR 24659935.
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