And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.

JEREMIAH 20:6KJV
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Jeremiah 20:6 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 20:6 mean?

Jeremiah 20:6 warns Pashur, a priest, that he and everyone living in his house will be taken as captives to Babylon, where Pashur will die and be buried, along with his friends to whom he falsely prophesied. The verse declares that Pashur’s lies will not protect him or those close to him from exile and death.

Jeremiah is speaking directly to Pashur after Pashur had punished him for prophesying disaster. Jeremiah announces that Pashur’s leadership and false messages will not save him; instead, he and his household will share the fate of exile. This verse is part of a confrontation where Jeremiah exposes the consequences of misleading the people with false hope.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 20:6

  • פַּשְׁחוּר (Pashur): This is the personal name of the priest being addressed, making the warning very direct and personal.
  • יֵשֵׁב (dwell): Refers to those who live in Pashur’s house, emphasizing that the consequences extend to his entire household, not just himself.
  • שֶׁקֶר (lies; transliteration: sheqer): The word for “lies” highlights that the false prophecies Pashur gave were not just mistakes but deliberate untruths, which is why the judgment is so severe.

Why Jeremiah 20:6 matters

  • Jeremiah 20:6 clarifies that spiritual leaders are held accountable for misleading others, especially when their words contradict God’s message.
  • The verse shows that consequences for falsehood can affect not only the individual but also their family and close associates.
  • This warning fits into the larger theme of Jeremiah, where false security and denial of coming judgment are exposed as dangerous and ultimately fatal.

Where else these words appear

“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 20:2 Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

“captivity” Hebrew H7628 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Ezra 8:35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
  • Jeremiah 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.

“prophesied” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:1 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.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

“lies” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
  • Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;