Jeremiah 20 1

Jeremiah 20:1 kjv

Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.

Jeremiah 20:1 nkjv

Now Pashhur the son of Immer, the priest who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.

Jeremiah 20:1 niv

When the priest Pashhur son of Immer, the official in charge of the temple of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things,

Jeremiah 20:1 esv

Now Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.

Jeremiah 20:1 nlt

Now Pashhur son of Immer, the priest in charge of the Temple of the LORD, heard what Jeremiah was prophesying.

Jeremiah 20 1 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Jeremiah 20:1Now Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the LORDContext, Identified Pashur
1 Chronicles 24:14the fourteenth for Immer, the fifteenth for Hezekiah;Identified Immer as a priest
Ezra 2:37The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, were nine hundred seventy and three.Descendants of priestly families
Nehemiah 7:40the children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.Descendants of priestly families
Jeremiah 19:3Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem.Jeremiah's prophecy context
Jeremiah 19:14Then came Jeremiah from Topheth, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy;Location of prophecy
Jeremiah 1:1The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:Jeremiah's introduction
Jeremiah 2:1Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,Start of Jeremiah's prophecies
Jeremiah 7:1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,Location of prophecy (Temple courts)
Jeremiah 23:9Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake;Jeremiah's emotional response
Jeremiah 29:26The LORD hath made thee priest instead of Jehoiada, to be overseer in the house of the LORD,Role of overseer in the temple
Jeremiah 38:1Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah,Pashur's son involved in later events
Jeremiah 38:4Therefore the princes said unto the king, This man ought to be put to death:Opposition to Jeremiah
2 Kings 23:4And the priests of the high places that sacrificed unto the idols and unto the sun, and to the moon,Idolatry and corrupted priesthood
2 Kings 11:18And Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites,Temple administration
2 Chronicles 18:10and the priests and the prophets did as Ahab commanded them.False prophets aligned with power
Malachi 1:1The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.Prophetic burdens
Isaiah 30:10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things,Rejection of true prophecy
Ezekiel 3:17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel:Role of a prophet
1 Corinthians 4:1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.Stewardship and ministry roles
2 Timothy 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.Right handling of God's word

Jeremiah 20 verses

Jeremiah 20 1 Meaning

Jeremiah 20:1 identifies Pashhur, son of Immer, as a prominent priest and chief officer in the temple of the LORD. His authority is highlighted, as he was present and heard Jeremiah's prophetic message. Pashhur's role signifies the established religious and political hierarchy of Jerusalem at that time. His reaction to Jeremiah's prophecy immediately sets up a conflict within the very heart of the religious establishment.

Jeremiah 20 1 Context

This verse introduces a specific encounter between the prophet Jeremiah and a powerful figure in Jerusalem. Jeremiah had delivered a grim prophecy concerning the destruction of the city and the temple, calling for repentance. Pashhur, the chief officer of the temple, overheard this message. His position highlights the religious establishment's awareness of Jeremiah's ministry. The historical context is the impending Babylonian conquest of Judah, a period marked by deep-seated sin and unresponsiveness to divine warnings. Pashhur's name itself may carry prophetic significance, suggesting rebellion or foolishness, which becomes evident in his actions.

Jeremiah 20 1 Word analysis

  • "Now": Indicates a shift in narrative focus, moving from the general prophecy to a specific event and interaction.
  • "Pashhur": Transliteration of פַּשְׁחוּר (Pashur). Possibly related to "plentifulness" or "releasing," but in this context, his actions lead to confinement and suffering. Scholars suggest its meaning can be linked to "freedom" or "abundance," creating an ironic contrast with his future actions and the consequence he inflicts upon Jeremiah. Some interpretations link the name to "all around the boundary," indicating his jurisdictional or authoritative reach.
  • "the priest": Designation highlighting his religious office and standing within the community. This emphasizes the gravity of a religious leader opposing a prophet.
  • "son of Immer": Identifies his lineage. Immer was a priestly family mentioned in genealogical records, signifying his established heritage within the priesthood. 1 Chronicles 24:14 lists Immer as head of the fourteenth division of priests.
  • "who was chief officer": Transliteration of the Hebrew "(sar) over the house of the LORD" (נגיד בית יהוה - negid beith YHWH). "Negid" implies a commander, ruler, or principal person, indicating a position of significant authority and responsibility within the temple complex. This was not just a spiritual leader but one with oversight of temple affairs.
  • "and heard": Emphasizes Pashhur's direct awareness of Jeremiah's prophecy, removing any possibility of ignorance regarding the prophet's message.
  • "Jeremiah": The prophet himself.
  • "prophesying": Declaring the word of the LORD, particularly messages of judgment and warning.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the LORD": This entire phrase establishes Pashhur's identity, his position of significant religious and administrative authority within the temple, and his priestly lineage. His status underscores the opposition to Jeremiah coming from within the established religious hierarchy, not from an outsider.
  • "and heard Jeremiah prophesying": This highlights the immediate reception of Jeremiah's message by a key figure of authority within the temple courts, setting the stage for the ensuing confrontation.

Jeremiah 20 1 Bonus section

The confrontation in Jeremiah 20:1-6 sets a precedent for Jeremiah's suffering. Pashhur's action of striking and imprisoning Jeremiah directly illustrates the rejection and persecution a true prophet faced when delivering God's message, especially when that message condemned the religious and political elite. The prophecy against Pashhur personally in verses 3-6, where God renames him "Magor-missabib" (Terror all around), serves as a potent divine commentary on Pashhur's own future. This renaming signifies that the fate he intended for Jeremiah would, in a broader sense, come upon himself and his household, emphasizing the spiritual principle that judgment often reflects the character of the accuser or oppressor. The encounter also underscores a consistent theme in prophetic ministries: the spiritual leaders of the people are often the first and most vocal opponents of divine truth when it challenges their traditions or comfort.

Jeremiah 20 1 Commentary

Pashhur represents a critical element in understanding the resistance Jeremiah faced. As chief officer, he held significant power and likely represented the prevailing status quo that resisted Jeremiah's unpopular prophecies. His reaction to Jeremiah's warning about the devastation of Jerusalem is not one of concern for the people's spiritual welfare but of offense to his own authority and the perceived stability of the city and its worship. He acts not as a protector of God's word, but as an enforcer of human order that conflicts with divine judgment. His forceful opposition foreshadows the intensified persecution Jeremiah would endure. His name, potentially meaning "to release" or "plentiful," stands in stark contrast to the confinement and distress he will inflict on Jeremiah.