The breaking of the bottle Jeremiah 20 had been done so solemnly
before witnesses of such high position, and its meaning had been so
unmistakeably proclaimed in the temple, that those in authority could
endure such proceedings no longer. Roused therefore to anger by the
sight of the listening crowds... [ Continue Reading ]
Pashur, the father probably of the Gedaliah mentioned in Jeremiah
38:1, was the head of the 16th course (shift) of priests (marginal
reference); the other Pashur Jeremiah 21:1 belonged to the fifth
course, the sons of Melchiah. Both these houses returned in great
strength from the exile. See Ezra 2:... [ Continue Reading ]
JEREMIAH THE PROPHET - Jeremiah is nowhere so called in the first 19
chapters. In this place he thus characterizes himself, because
Pashur’s conduct was a violation of the respect due to the prophetic
office.
THE STOCKS - This instrument of torture comes from a root signifying
to “twist.” It thus i... [ Continue Reading ]
MAGOR-MISSABIB - See Jeremiah 6:25 note. Jeremiah uses it no less than
five times, having probably adopted it as his watchword from Psalms
31:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
A TERROR TO THYSELF, AND TO ALL THY FRIENDS - Jeremiah plays upon the
meaning of Magormissabib saying that Pusbur would be a terror to all
around. It is remarkable that he prophesies no evil of Pashur Jeremiah
20:6. His was to be the milder fate of being carried into captivity
with Jehoiachin, and d... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE STRENGTH - “All the stores.”
THE LABORS - The gains of the citizens.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST PROPHESIED LIES - Pushur belonged to the warlike party,
whose creed it was, that Judaea by a close alliance with Egypt might
resist the arms of Assyria.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the rest of the chapter we have an outbreak of deep emotion, of
which the first part ends in a cry of hope Jeremiah 20:13, followed
nevertheless by curses upon the day of his birth. Was this the result
of feelings wounded by the indignities of a public scourging and a
night spent in the stocks? O... [ Continue Reading ]