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 20:1KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 20:1 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 20:1 mean?

Jeremiah 20:1 describes how Pashur, the son of Immer and a priest who served as the chief officer in the temple, heard about the prophecies Jeremiah was delivering. The verse sets up a confrontation by introducing Pashur’s authority and his awareness of Jeremiah’s challenging message.

In this scene, Jeremiah is not speaking; instead, the focus is on Pashur, a leading temple official, reacting to Jeremiah’s prophetic words. The verse marks a turning point, as it shows the religious leadership taking notice of Jeremiah’s warnings, which were likely critical of the temple and its leaders. This attention from Pashur foreshadows conflict and highlights the tension between Jeremiah and those in power.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 20:1

  • פשחור (Pashur): This is the personal name of the priest, and its use here identifies a specific individual with authority in the temple, not just any priest.
  • נגיד (nagid, "chief governor"): This word often means a leader or overseer, emphasizing that Pashur held a high-ranking, administrative role in the temple, not just a ceremonial one.
  • בית (bayit, "house"): Refers specifically to the temple, the central place of worship, making it clear that this confrontation is taking place in the heart of Israel’s religious life.
  • נבא (nava, "prophesied"): This verb means to speak as a prophet, highlighting that Jeremiah’s words were understood as messages from God, not just personal opinions.

Why Jeremiah 20:1 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jeremiah’s message was significant enough to reach the highest levels of temple leadership, showing the seriousness of his prophecies.
  • By naming Pashur and his position, the verse sets up the personal and institutional opposition Jeremiah would face, helping readers understand the risks involved in his ministry.
  • This introduction of Pashur connects to the following verses, where the conflict between Jeremiah and the temple authorities becomes more direct and intense.

Where else these words appear

“Immer” Hebrew H564 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:12 And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
  • Ezra 2:59 And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
  • Nehemiah 7:40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

“Pashur” Hebrew H6583 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:12 And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
  • Nehemiah 7:41 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
  • 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 Magormissabib.

“chief” Hebrew H6496 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 41:34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
  • Nehemiah 12:42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.

“governor” Hebrew H5057 · used in 44 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:2 And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.