Topical Encyclopedia Background:Pashhur, the son of Immer, served as a priest and chief officer in the house of the LORD during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. His encounter with Jeremiah is a significant moment in the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah, highlighting the tension between the prophetic message and the established religious authority of the time. This event is recorded in the Book of Jeremiah, specifically in chapter 20. The Confrontation: Jeremiah had been prophesying the impending judgment of God upon Judah and Jerusalem due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. His messages were often met with hostility and rejection by the leaders and people of Judah. Pashhur, as a representative of the religious establishment, took offense at Jeremiah's prophecies. In Jeremiah 20:1-2 , it is recorded: "When Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, the chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things, he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the house of the LORD." Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Pashhur: The following day, after being released from the stocks, Jeremiah delivered a direct and personal prophecy against Pashhur. This prophecy is a divine pronouncement of judgment, not only upon Pashhur but also upon the nation he represents. Jeremiah 20:3-6 states: "The next day, when Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, 'The LORD does not call you Pashhur, but Magor-missabib. For this is what the LORD says: I will make you a terror to yourself and all your friends. They will fall by the sword of their enemies before your very eyes. I will hand all Judah over to the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon and put them to the sword. I will give away all the wealth of this city, all its products and valuables, and the treasures of the kings of Judah. I will give it all into the hands of their enemies, who will plunder them, seize them, and carry them off to Babylon. And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into captivity. You will go to Babylon, and there you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.'" Significance: Jeremiah's prophecy against Pashhur serves as a powerful testament to the authority of God's word over human institutions and leaders. Pashhur's new name, "Magor-missabib," meaning "terror on every side," symbolizes the fear and destruction that would come upon him and the nation due to their rejection of God's message. This encounter underscores the theme of divine judgment and the consequences of false prophecy and leadership that leads people away from the truth. The prophecy also foreshadows the Babylonian exile, a pivotal event in the history of Israel, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's warnings through His prophets. Jeremiah's steadfastness in delivering God's message, despite persecution, exemplifies the role of a true prophet who remains faithful to God's call, regardless of opposition. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, this narrative highlights the sovereignty of God in executing judgment and the importance of obedience to His word. It serves as a warning against complacency and the dangers of aligning with falsehoods. The account of Pashhur and Jeremiah is a reminder of the ultimate accountability of leaders and individuals before God and the necessity of heeding His prophetic voice. Subtopics Jeremiah: An Israelite Who Joined David at Ziklag Jeremiah: of Libnah, Grandfather of Jehoahaz Jeremiah: The Prophet by Johanan and all the People Jeremiah: The Prophet by Zedekiah Jeremiah: The Prophet: A Priest Jeremiah: The Prophet: A Rechabite Jeremiah: The Prophet: Book of Lamentations Jeremiah: The Prophet: Book of the Prophecies of, Delivered to Seraiah, With a Charge from Jeremiah Jeremiah: The Prophet: Call of Jeremiah: The Prophet: Celibacy of Jeremiah: The Prophet: Conspiracy Against Jeremiah: The Prophet: Denounces Pashur Jeremiah: The Prophet: Foretells the Conquest of Egypt by Babylon Jeremiah: The Prophet: Foretells the Desolation of Jerusalem Jeremiah: The Prophet: Has a Friend in Ahikam Jeremiah: The Prophet: His Melancholy and Complaints Against God, in Consequence of Persecution Jeremiah: The Prophet: Imprisoned by Zedekiah Jeremiah: The Prophet: Johanan Transports Jeremiah Into Egypt Jeremiah: The Prophet: Letter to the Captives in Babylon Jeremiah: The Prophet: Lives at Mizpah Jeremiah: The Prophet: Nebuchadnezzar Directs the Release of Jeremiah: The Prophet: Over Jerusalem Jeremiah: The Prophet: Over Josiah Jeremiah: The Prophet: Over the Desolation of God's Heritage Jeremiah: The Prophet: Over the Prosperity of the Wicked Jeremiah: The Prophet: Pashur, the Governor of the Temple, Scourges and Casts Him Into Prison Jeremiah: The Prophet: Prayers of Jeremiah: The Prophet: Prophecies of, Destroyed by Jehoiakim Jeremiah: The Prophet: Prophecies of, Studied by Daniel Jeremiah: The Prophet: Prophecies of, Written by Baruch Jeremiah: The Prophet: Purchases a Field Jeremiah: The Prophet: Sorrow of, Under Persecution Jeremiah: The Prophet: Time of his Prophecies Jeremiah: The Prophet: Zeal of Jeremiah: The Prophet: Zedekiah Seeks Counsel from God By Jeremiah: Two Gadites Who Joined David at Ziklag Related Terms |