Jeremiah 20:1-2

Jeremiah Persecuted by Pashhur

1 Now 1Pashhur the priest, the son of 2Immer, who was 3chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.
2 Then 4Pashhur beat Jeremiah the prophet, and put him 5in the stocks that were in the upper 6Benjamin Gate of the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 20:1-2 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 20

This chapter gives an account of the usage that Jeremiah met with from many for his prophecies, and the effect it had upon him. He was smitten and put in the stocks by Pashur the priest, who released him the next day, Jer 20:1-3; upon which he prophesies again of the delivery of the city of Jerusalem, with all its riches, and of the whole land, to the Chaldeans; and particularly that Pashur should be a terror to himself and all his friends; and that both he and they should be carried captive into Babylon, and die, and be buried there, Jer 20:4-6; and then he complains of his being mocked at by the people for the word of the Lord; which he therefore determined to make no more mention of, but was obliged to it; and of the defamations of him, and snares that were laid for him, Jer 20:7-10; under which he is supported with the consideration of the Lord's being with him, and that his enemies should not prevail, but be confounded; and appeals to him, and calls for vengeance from him on them; and, in the view of deliverance, not only praises the Lord himself, but calls upon others to join with him in it, Jer 20:11-13; and yet, after all, the chapter is concluded with his cursing the day of his birth, and the man that brought his father the news of it, Jer 20:14-18.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Jeremiah 21:1; Jeremiah 38:1; 1 Chronicles 9:12; [Ezra 2:38]
  • 2. 1 Chronicles 24:14; Ezra 2:37
  • 3. [Jeremiah 29:26]
  • 4. [See ver. 1 above]
  • 5. Jeremiah 29:26; Acts 16:24
  • 6. Jeremiah 37:13
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.