Jeremiah 20:1
Now Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights Pashur's title, "chief officer in the house of the LORD," which implies he wasn't just a religious leader, but also held significant authority, potentially akin to a captain of the guard, tasked with maintaining order within the Temple precincts. This official capacity is crucial because it sets up the conflict: Jeremiah's prophetic message wasn't just overheard, it was officially noted by someone with the power to act upon it, showcasing the immediate clash between divine truth and human authority.
Jeremiah has just delivered a terrifying prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, declaring that the city's treasures will be plundered and its leaders taken captive. In response, a powerful priest named Pashhur, who holds a high-ranking position as chief officer in the temple, hears Jeremiah's message. This sets the stage for a direct confrontation between the prophet and the religious establishment.
Jeremiah wasn't just speaking to the masses; he was speaking to the powers that be. Meet Pashur, a man whose title carried weight in the very heart of Jerusalem's worship.
Jeremiah 20:1 introduces us to Pashur, the son of Immer. He's not just any priest; he holds a significant position as the 'chief officer in the house of the LORD.' This title, often translated as 'governor' or 'deputy,' signifies a man of considerable authority within the temple complex. He was likely second only to the High Priest, responsible for maintaining order and ensuring the proper functioning of God's dwelling place. His role meant he had the power to enforce religious law and manage temple affairs. When Pashur heard Jeremiah's message, it wasn't just idle gossip; it was an official report about a disruption within his jurisdiction.
Jeremiah delivered a message that shook the foundations. Pashur heard it. But did he hear the heart of it, or just the disruption it caused?
The core of this encounter is the collision between Jeremiah's prophecy and Pashur's position. Jeremiah was prophesying difficult truths – likely about impending judgment and the consequences of disobedience. These weren't messages of comfort or popular appeal. Pashur, as the chief officer, was tasked with maintaining order and protecting the sanctity of the Temple. Jeremiah's prophetic words, especially if spoken publicly, would have been seen by Pashur as a direct threat to that order, a disturbance that needed to be quelled. His hearing of the prophecy is the inciting incident that sets off a dramatic confrontation, highlighting the tension between prophetic truth and institutional power.
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Understand the original words
kōhēn · Hebrew Noun
A priest is one set apart by God to serve in the sanctuary, act as a mediator between God and the people, and offer sacrifices for atonement. In the Old Testament, the priesthood was hereditary, descending through the line of Aaron.
Pashur's position as chief officer in the Temple highlights the internal opposition Jeremiah faced. Even within the religious establishment, those in authority sought to silence the prophet, revealing a deep-seated resistance to God's message of repentance.
c. 627 BC
Jeremiah Begins Prophesying
Josiah is king of Judah, and the young prophet Jeremiah receives his call from God to prophesy, likely initially to a receptive audience during a period of religious reform.
622 BC
Josiah's Reforms
A book of the law is discovered during repairs to the Temple, leading King Josiah to institute sweeping religious reforms that dismantle idolatrous practices. Jeremiah's early prophecies likely align with this climate of seeking to restore true worship.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
King Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo fighting the Egyptians. This marks a turning point, as Judah's religious and political stability begins to decline rapidly under subsequent kings.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieges Jerusalem and deports a portion of the population, including nobles and skilled individuals, to Babylon. This event heightens the sense of impending doom.
c. 605 BC - 586 BC— this verse
Jeremiah Prophesies to a Hostile Audience
During this period, Jeremiah delivers prophecies of judgment against Judah for its persistent unfaithfulness. His message becomes increasingly severe as the people and leaders ignore God's warnings.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the city and the Temple, and deports most of the remaining population to Babylon, marking the end of the kingdom of Judah.
This passage introduces another priest named Pashur, highlighting the significance and authority these officials held within the temple structure, setting the stage for the conflict with Jeremiah.
Acts 4:1This New Testament passage describes priests and a temple commander, paralleling Pashur's role as a high-ranking official responsible for maintaining order and confronting those who preached against the religious establishment.
1 Chronicles 24:14This verse details the division of priests into courses, providing context for Pashur's lineage and his position as head of a specific priestly family, indicating his established authority.
Jeremiah 38:1This passage mentions a man named Pashur who, along with others, opposed Jeremiah later in his ministry, showing a pattern of resistance from individuals holding positions of power within Jerusalem.
clarkeJeremiah 20:1: "Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things."
Pashur - chief governor - Pashur was probably one of the chief priests of the twenty-four classes.
wesleyJeremiah 20:1: "Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things."
20:1 Immer - The course of Immer was the sixteenth course of the priests, 1Chron 24:14. Pashur was his son, that is descended from him.
The verse highlights Pashur's title, "chief officer in the house of the LORD," which implies he wasn't just a religious leader, but also held significant authority, potentially akin to a captain of the guard, tasked with maintaining order within the Temple precincts. This official capacity is crucial because it sets up the conflict: Jeremiah's prophetic message wasn't just overheard, it was officially noted by someone with the power to act upon it, showcasing the immediate clash between divine truth and human authority.
Jeremiah has just delivered a terrifying prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, declaring that the city's treasures will be plundered and its leaders taken captive. In response, a powerful priest named Pashhur, who holds a high-ranking position as chief officer in the temple, hears Jeremiah's message. This sets the stage for a direct confrontation between the prophet and the religious establishment.
Jeremiah has just delivered a terrifying prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, declaring that the city's treasures will be plundered and its leaders taken captive. In response, a powerful priest named Pashhur, who holds a high-ranking position as chief officer in the temple, hears Jeremiah's message. This sets the stage for a direct confrontation between the prophet and the religious establishment.
"Now Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things." — The verse highlights Pashur's title, "chief officer in the house of the LORD," which implies he wasn't just a religious leader, but also held significant authority, potentially akin to a captain of t…
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