Jeremiah 20:2 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 20:2 mean?

Jeremiah 20:2 describes how Pashur, an official, physically struck Jeremiah the prophet and then put him in the stocks at the high gate of Benjamin, which was near the temple of the LORD. This verse shows Jeremiah being publicly humiliated and punished for his prophetic message.

In this scene, Pashur is reacting to Jeremiah’s warnings and prophecies, which were unpopular with the religious leaders. The “stocks” were a device used to restrain and shame someone in public. The location—the high gate of Benjamin by the house of the LORD—suggests that this punishment was meant to be very visible, making an example of Jeremiah in a prominent religious setting.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 20:2

• “Stocks” (הַמַּהְפֶּכֶת, ha-mahpekhet): This word refers to a device that twisted or contorted the body, causing discomfort and public shame. It was not just a simple restraint but something meant to humiliate.
• “Smote” (נָכָה, nakhah): This word means to strike or hit, and it often carries the sense of violence or aggression. Pashur’s action was not just a symbolic gesture but a real act of physical violence.
• “High” (עֶלְיוֹן, elyon): This word means “upper” or “high,” emphasizing that the gate was an important and prominent place, increasing the public nature of Jeremiah’s punishment.

Why Jeremiah 20:2 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jeremiah’s suffering was not just emotional or verbal but included real physical abuse and public humiliation.
• The setting at the high gate by the temple highlights the opposition Jeremiah faced from religious authorities and the seriousness of his message.
• Understanding the use of the stocks and the location helps readers see how determined the leaders were to silence and shame Jeremiah, setting up the tension that continues in the following verses.