The History of the Rechabites: Volume I: The Greek Recension [Paperback]

James H. Charlesworth (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 107 pages
• Publisher: Scholars Pr (1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089130567X
• ISBN-13: 978-0891305675
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,330,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rechabites - The Link to the Essenes?, March 3, 2000

By 

George Brooks [[e-mail]] (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The History of the Rechabites: Volume I: The Greek Recension (Paperback)

In this English translation of an ancient work that has been discovered in many forms and by many titles, Prof. Charlesworth has done a marvelous job of uncovering some of the more mystical elements of the Jewish/Chrisitian mindset.

In one work we read about vegetarians, non-sexual nudity (as an indication of holiness), celibacy, and the location of a sacred island where a holy clan of Rechabites live in preparation for willingly giving up their souls so that the souls can travel to God and/or become as bright as a star in heaven.

The Rechabite "mythology" or "legend" seems to be the source of Josephus's discussion of where Essenes think souls travel after death.... to a sacred island.

A very strange story about the Rechabites.... who are an unsung undercurrent in the story of messianic and perhaps even Essenic Judaism. It is written by at least one Church Father that a Rechabite Priest was part of the inner circle of Jesus.

This is a must read for anyone interested in the Essenes or mystic ideas of our Jewish and Christian past.