Jeremiah 20:1

CHAPTER XX

Jeremiah, on account of his prophesying evil concerning Judah

and Jerusalem, is beaten and imprisoned by Pashur, chief

governor of the temple, 1, 2.

On the following day the prophet is released, who denounces the

awful judgments of God which should fall upon the governor and

all his house, as well as upon the whole land of Judah, in the

approaching Babylonish captivity, 3-6.

Jeremiah then bitterly complains of the reproaches continually

heaped upon him by his enemies; and, in his haste, resolves to

speak no more in the name of Jehovah; but the word of the Lord

is in his heart as a burning flame, so that he is not able to

forbear, 7-10.

The prophet professes his trust in God, whom he praises for his

late deliverance, 11-13.

The remaining verses, which appear to be out of their place,

contain Jeremiah's regret that he was ever born to a life of so

much sorrow and trouble, 14-18.

This complaint resembles that of Job; only it is milder and

more dolorous. This excites our pity, that our horror. Both are

highly poetical, and embellished with every circumstance that

can heighten the colouring. But such circumstances are not

always to be too literally understood or explained. We must

often make allowances for the strong figures of eastern poetry.

NOTES ON CHAP. XX

Verse Jeremiah 20:1. Pashur - chief governor] Pashur was probably one of the chief priests of the twenty-four classes.