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 ]