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Jeremiah 20 Explained — Pashur's Blow And Terror Around

Jeremiah is beaten, put in stocks, and renamed as fear closes in on every side. This conflict matters because it exposes the inner cost of ministry, yet also shows God's message will not be buried even when the messenger is broken.

Summary

Jeremiah 20:1–6 – Pashhur and “Terror on Every Side”

What happens: Pashhur the priest beats Jeremiah and puts him in stocks. Jeremiah renames him “Magor-missabib,” meaning terror on every side. He prophesies that Pashhur and his friends will go to Babylon and die there.

What it means: Religious power can oppose God’s truth. God names reality and judges abuse. He vindicates his prophet in due time.

Jeremiah 20:7–10 – Fire in My Bones

What happens: Jeremiah laments that he is mocked daily. When he tries to be silent, God’s word burns like fire in his bones. Friends watch for him to stumble and whisper “Terror on every side.”

What it means: God’s word compels witness even through pain. Faithfulness may bring loneliness and scorn. The fear of man yields to the fear of God.

Jeremiah 20:11–13 – Confidence and Praise

What happens: Jeremiah declares the Lord is with him like a mighty warrior. Persecutors will stumble and not prevail. He sings to the Lord who delivers the needy.

What it means: Confidence rises from God’s presence and justice. Praise strengthens faith in trial. God defends the weak.

Jeremiah 20:14–18 – Curse of the Birth Day

What happens: Jeremiah curses the day he was born and the man who announced his birth. He asks why he came out of the womb to see toil and sorrow. His lament closes the chapter.

What it means: Even faithful servants can sink into despair. God allows honest lament inside covenant faith. Hope survives because God holds his own.

Application

  • Expect pushback when you live and speak God’s truth.
  • Let God’s presence fuel courage and praise.
  • Bring your darkest laments to God and keep walking by faith.

Bible

1Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.

2Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

3And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib.

4For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.

5Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.

6And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.

7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

8For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

9Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

10For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

11But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

12But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.

13Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

14Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.

15Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.

16And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;

17Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.

18Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

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