The Bible Says
Jeremiah 20:1-6 Meaning

In Jeremiah 20:1, we are introduced to Pashhur, a man of influence and authority: Now Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things (v. 1). He belongs to the priestly line of Immer, placing him within the spiritual leadership of Judah. Historically, Jeremiah served as a prophet during the late seventh to early sixth centuries BC, warning Judah of impending judgment, and here we see how his prophecies upset those in power who did not want to listen.

This opening verse also indicates that Pashhur hears Jeremiah’s prophetic declarations. Given Jeremiah’s consistent warnings about Babylon’s conquest, it is not surprising that these messages would draw the ire of priests and leaders in Jerusalem. The house of the LORD (v. 1) refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a spiritual center constructed by King Solomon around the 10th century BC and later renovated by various kings. Pashhur’s position as chief officer reveals that he was charged with maintaining order in the temple, a role which he uses to silence Jeremiah’s message.

The tension sets the stage for what comes next: authoritarian figures trying to stifle the word of the LORD by punishing the messenger rather than heeding the warning. God’s prophets throughout the Old Testament commonly faced resistance for speaking truth, a theme continued in the New Testament where Jesus and His followers faced persecution for proclaiming God’s kingdom (Matthew 23:37).

Next, Pashhur had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put him in the stocks that were at the upper Benjamin Gate, which was by the house of the LORD (v. 2), revealing the lengths to which the chief officer goes to suppress God’s message. The stocks were a form of public humiliation, meant to shame Jeremiah and prevent him from prophesying. The upper Benjamin Gate was an important northern entrance in Jerusalem, likely near the main public areas where onlookers could see Jeremiah’s punishment prominently.

This harsh reaction shows how deeply people opposed the warnings Jeremiah brought. Rather than repenting or seeking God’s counsel, they sought to discredit and disgrace His messenger. For Jeremiah, this was not only physical punishment but also social ridicule. We see a similar pattern in the lives of other prophets who were ridiculed by those in power (1 Kings 22). Even so, Jeremiah’s resolve to speak God’s words remained firm.

Such acts of despotic leadership reflected spiritual decline in Judah at this time. Having abandoned covenant faithfulness, the people and their leaders found Jeremiah’s calls to repentance threatening. Instead of turning from their ways, they chose to punish the one who delivered God’s warning.

Then, On the next day, when Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, "Pashhur is not the name the LORD has called you, but rather Magor-missabib" (v. 3). The name “Magor-missabib” translates to “terror on every side.” Jeremiah’s bold pronouncement indicates that instead of being a leader who brings stability, Pashhur will become a symbol of fear and calamity.

Such a renaming is a powerful prophetic device. God often changed names to reflect a new destiny or character. In this case, the new name forecasts the judgment that Pashhur will experience. It also demonstrates that no amount of human authority can stand against the word of the LORD. Jeremiah, though prisoner one day, now speaks condemnation the next, highlighting that the ultimate power lies with God.

This moment is reminiscent of times when prophets declared pointed truths to kings or priests, even in the face of harsh consequences (2 Samuel 12). It underscores God’s sovereignty: He will discipline those who stand in unrepentant defiance, and no social status or priestly position can shield one from divine judgment.

Moving on in Jeremiah 20:4, the prophet proclaims, "For thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I am going to make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and while your eyes look on, they will fall by the sword of their enemies. So I will give over all Judah to the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will carry them away as exiles to Babylon and will slay them with the sword'" (v. 4). This verse elaborates the consequences Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets frequently warned about: the Babylonian invasion and exile, which historically came in waves culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Here, God declares that judgment will be personal and national. Pashhur himself will be overwhelmed by terror, and the people he was supposed to protect will suffer the sword of their foreign enemies. The phrase “king of Babylon” refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from about 605 to 562 BC. This marked a significant turning point in Judah’s history, as many were taken captive to Babylon.

The prophecy also highlights the principle that rebellion against God leads to dire consequences. The LORD had long promised strong blessings for obedience and severe repercussions for persistent disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). Now these warnings are on the verge of fulfillment due to hardened hearts.

Then we read, "I will also give over all the wealth of this city, all its produce and all its costly things; even all the treasures of the kings of Judah I will give over to the hand of their enemies, and they will plunder them, take them away and bring them to Babylon" (v. 5). This details the economic and material consequences of judgment. Jerusalem, once filled with riches from the days of David and Solomon, would be thoroughly plundered.

Scripture often presents material loss as an outflow of spiritual decline. Because Judah had turned from God, He allows foreign powers to confiscate their treasures. This illustrates that earthly wealth provides no ultimate security when a nation breaks covenant with God.

The mention of “kings of Judah” ties this event to the broader narrative of the monarchy that started with King Saul around 1050 BC and continued through various rulers until the final fall of Jerusalem. The downfall of the city’s wealth testifies to the seriousness of disregarding God’s commands.

Concluding this passage, God says, "And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into captivity; and you will enter Babylon, and there you will die and there you will be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have falsely prophesied "(v. 6). He seals the personal fate of Pashhur. His household and associates would share the same tragic destiny in exile. Babylon would be not just a place of temporary punishment but the location of his final breath.

This direct judgment highlights the weight of false prophecy: Pashhur, instead of proclaiming the true word of the LORD, apparently gave misleading assurances of peace in the face of looming disaster. By declaring that they would perish in captivity, Jeremiah adds a final note of inevitability to God’s plan.

Jeremiah 20:6 also underscores accountability within spiritual leadership. Position and privilege do not exempt one from God’s discipline. If leaders speak contrary to God’s revealed truth, they bring judgment upon themselves and mislead those who trust them.