Bible Chapter Summary
Jeremiah 20 Summary
Persecution of Jeremiah and Trust in God
Pashur, a priest and chief governor of the house of the LORD, hears Jeremiah's prophecy and beats him, putting him in stocks at the high gate of Benjamin. Upon release, Jeremiah tells Pashur that God has renamed him Magor-missabib (terror round about), for he shall be a terror to himself and his friends. They will fall by the sword of enemies, and Jeremiah will cause Pashur's eyes to behold it. God will deliver all Judah into Babylon's hand, where Pashur will die and be buried, along with his false-prophesying friends. Jeremiah laments that God has deceived and prevailed over him, making him a derision daily; yet God's word burns in his bones and he cannot forbear. He hears many defaming him, yet the LORD stands with him as a mighty terrible one, and his persecutors shall stumble, be ashamed, and not prosper. He curses the day of his birth.
Key themes
Key verses
Jeremiah 20:3
“And 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 Magor-missabib.”
Jeremiah 20:4
“For 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.”
Jeremiah 20:9
“Then 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.”
Jeremiah 20:11
“But 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.”
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