Jeremiah 20
1When the priest Pashhur son of Immer, the official in charge of the temple of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things, 2he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the Lord’s temple. 3The next day, when Pashhur released him from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, “The Lord’s name for you is not Pashhur, but Terror on Every Side. 4For this is what the Lord says: ‘I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; with your own eyes you will see them fall by the sword of their enemies. I will give all Judah into the hands of the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon or put them to the sword. 5I will deliver all the wealth of this city into the hands of their enemies—all its products, all its valuables and all the treasures of the kings of Judah. They will take it away as plunder and carry it off to Babylon. 6And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into exile to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.’ ” 7You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived;you overpowered me and prevailed.I am ridiculed all day long;everyone mocks me. 8Whenever I speak, I cry outproclaiming violence and destruction.So the word of the Lord has brought meinsult and reproach all day long. 9But if I say, “I will not mention his wordor speak anymore in his name,”his word is in my heart like a fire,a fire shut up in my bones.I am weary of holding it in;indeed, I cannot. 10I hear many whispering,“Terror on every side!Denounce him! Let’s denounce him!”All my friendsare waiting for me to slip, saying,“Perhaps he will be deceived;then we will prevail over himand take our revenge on him.” 11But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior;so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;their dishonor will never be forgotten. 12Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteousand probe the heart and mind,let me see your vengeance on them,for to you I have committed my cause. 13Sing to the Lord!Give praise to the Lord!He rescues the life of the needyfrom the hands of the wicked. 14Cursed be the day I was born!May the day my mother bore me not be blessed! 15Cursed be the man who brought my father the news,who made him very glad, saying,“A child is born to you—a son!” 16May that man be like the townsthe Lord overthrew without pity.May he hear wailing in the morning,a battle cry at noon. 17For he did not kill me in the womb,with my mother as my grave,her womb enlarged forever. 18Why did I ever come out of the wombto see trouble and sorrowand to end my days in shame?
Study Context for Jeremiah 20
As you study Jeremiah 20, keep in mind the overarching themes of this old testament book: Warning, Exile, New Covenant. Observe how the specific events or teachings in this chapter contribute to the book's broader message.
WarningExileNew Covenant
Observation: What does Jeremiah 20 reveal about the character and nature of God? What does it reveal about humanity?
Application: How does the truth presented in this chapter change how you should live, think, or pray today?
Read in context:Jeremiah 19Jeremiah 21
Study introductions and prompts are supplementary aids, not Scripture. They do not replace prayerful reading, the authority of Scripture, a faithful local church, or pastoral care.
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