What does Jeremiah 20:2 mean?
"Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD." - Jeremiah 20:2
Jeremiah 20:2 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads: "Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord."
This verse comes from the book of Jeremiah, which is a part of the Old Testament. The book of Jeremiah is a collection of prophecies and narratives attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who lived during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE.
In this particular verse, we see a confrontation between Jeremiah and a man named Pashur. Pashur was a priest and chief governor in the house of the Lord, and he was not pleased with Jeremiah's prophetic words. In his anger, Pashur attacks Jeremiah and puts him in the stocks at the high gate of Benjamin, near the house of the Lord.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. Jeremiah was a prophet called by God to speak to the people of Judah during a time of great turmoil. The nation was in moral and spiritual decline, and God raised up Jeremiah to warn the people of impending judgment if they did not turn from their wicked ways. However, Jeremiah's message was unpopular and met with hostility from many in authority, including Pashur.
The actions of Pashur in this verse symbolize the opposition and persecution that Jeremiah faced as a prophet of God. By putting Jeremiah in the stocks, Pashur was publicly shaming him and treating him as a criminal. This was meant to silence Jeremiah and discourage him from speaking any further.
The placing of Jeremiah in the stocks also reflects the suffering and humiliation that prophets often endured for their faithful proclamation of God's word. Jeremiah was not the only prophet to face such mistreatment; throughout the Bible, we see numerous accounts of prophets being persecuted and mistreated for their obedience to God's calling. This serves as a reminder that following God's will often comes with challenges and sacrifices.
The theme of persecution and suffering for righteousness is a prominent one in the Bible. Jesus Himself warned His disciples that they would face opposition and persecution for their faith (John 15:20). And many of the early Christian disciples, as well as believers throughout history, have faced similar mistreatment for their commitment to the Gospel.
In the larger context of the book of Jeremiah, this verse also serves as a foreshadowing of the suffering that Jeremiah would continue to endure. Throughout his ministry, Jeremiah faced rejection, imprisonment, and constant opposition. Yet, he remained faithful to his calling and continued to proclaim God's word.
Ultimately, this verse serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the reality of spiritual warfare. It encourages believers to stand firm in the face of opposition and persecution, trusting in God's strength and faithfulness. Just as Jeremiah remained steadfast in his prophetic ministry, we are called to remain unwavering in our commitment to God's truth, even in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 20:2 is a powerful depiction of the opposition and persecution that the prophet Jeremiah faced for faithfully proclaiming God's message. It serves as a reminder of the suffering endured by God's servants and the need for courage and perseverance in the face of spiritual warfare. This verse continues to be a source of encouragement and inspiration for believers today, reminding us of the ultimate victory that is found in Christ.
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Jeremiah 20:2 - "Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD."
"Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD." - Jeremiah 20:2
Jeremiah 20:4
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 2:20 - "¶ For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot."
Jeremiah 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."
Jeremiah 44:20 - "¶ Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying,"
Jeremiah 5:20 - "Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,"
Jeremiah 8:20 - "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."
Jeremiah 16:20 - "Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?"
Jeremiah 26:20 - "And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath-jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:"
Jeremiah 46:20 - "Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north."
Jeremiah 48:20 - "Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,"
Jeremiah 38:20 - "But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live."
Jeremiah 20:14 - "¶ Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed."
Jeremiah 20:16 - "And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;"
Jeremiah 20:13 - "Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers."
"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." - Jeremiah 8:20
Jeremiah 30:20 - "Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them."
Jeremiah 36:20 - "¶ And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king."
Jeremiah 14:20 - "We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee."
Jeremiah 20:18 - "Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?"
Jeremiah 4:20 - "Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment."
"Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying," - Jeremiah 5:20
Jeremiah 29:20 - "¶ Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:"
Jeremiah 51:20 - "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;"
Jeremiah 25:20 - "And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,"
Jeremiah 13:20 - "Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?"
Jeremiah 33:20 - "Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;"
Jeremiah 22:20 - "¶ Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed."