The History of the Rechabites and the Jeremiah Literature

The article examines the cultural milieu of the History of the Rechabites. Following a comparison with early Midrash (Mekhilta de-Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai) and pointing out similarities with Hegesippus and later Chris tian writings about the Rechabites, it is the conclusion of this article that The History as we have it is a Christian composition, from the fourth cen tury CE. It originated in a monastic milieu, the work of an author who was familiar with Jeremiah literature. The apocryphon attributes to the Rechab ites features which characterize the Ten Lost Tribes. It is the first instance where such a connection is made, one that will be more and more widely spread in later centuries.