Topical Bible: Jeremiah: The Prophet: Denounces Pashur

◄ Jeremiah: The Prophet: Denounces Pashur ►

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Jeremiah, often referred to as the "weeping prophet," was a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible who ministered during the final years of the Kingdom of Judah. His prophetic ministry was marked by warnings of impending judgment due to the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. Among the many confrontations Jeremiah faced, one significant encounter was with Pashur, a priest and chief officer in the house of the LORD.

Context and Background

Pashur, the son of Immer, held a position of authority in the temple and was responsible for maintaining order. His role was significant, as he was expected to uphold the religious and moral standards of the community. However, Pashur's response to Jeremiah's prophecies reveals a deep-seated resistance to the divine message delivered through the prophet.

Jeremiah's Prophetic Message

Jeremiah's message was one of impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem due to their unfaithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh. He warned of the coming Babylonian invasion and the subsequent exile as a consequence of the nation's sins. This message was not well-received by the leaders and people of Judah, who were often in denial about the severity of their spiritual condition.

The Confrontation with Pashur

In Jeremiah 20, the tension between Jeremiah and Pashur reaches a climax. Pashur, angered by Jeremiah's prophecies of doom, reacts with hostility. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this incident:

"Now Pashur son of Immer, the priest and chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things, so he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the house of the LORD." (Jeremiah 20:1-2)

Pashur's actions reflect a common response to prophetic truth—persecution and suppression. By physically punishing Jeremiah and placing him in stocks, Pashur sought to silence the prophet and discredit his message.

Jeremiah's Denunciation of Pashur

Despite the suffering he endured, Jeremiah remained resolute in his mission. Upon his release, he delivered a powerful denunciation against Pashur, prophesying that his name would be changed to "Magor-missabib," meaning "terror on every side." Jeremiah declared:

"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 while you look on. I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon and put them to the sword.'" (Jeremiah 20:4)

Jeremiah's words were a direct revelation of the consequences that awaited Pashur and the nation for their rejection of God's message. The prophecy underscored the certainty of divine judgment and the futility of resisting God's will.

Significance

The encounter between Jeremiah and Pashur highlights the broader theme of resistance to prophetic truth and the cost of faithfulness to God's calling. Jeremiah's unwavering commitment to his prophetic mission, despite persecution, serves as a testament to the courage required to speak truth in the face of opposition. This narrative also serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's word and the inevitable fulfillment of His divine purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 20:3-6
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah to him, The LORD has not called your name Pashur, but Magormissabib.
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The Greater Prophets.
... The prophet denounces, first upon Ephraim and then upon Judah and Jerusalem, God's
heavy judgments for their ... Jeremiah's activity as a prophet continued not ...
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