Jeremiah 20:4

For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold [it]: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Behold, I will make {H5414} thee a terror {H4032} to thyself, and to all thy friends {H157}: and they shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719} of their enemies {H341}, and thine eyes {H5869} shall behold {H7200} it: and I will give {H5414} all Judah {H3063} into the hand {H3027} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and he shall carry them captive {H1540} into Babylon {H894}, and shall slay {H5221} them with the sword {H2719}.

For this is what ADONAI says: 'I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends. They will fall by the sword of their enemies, while you watch. I will hand over all of Y'hudah to the king of Bavel, and he will carry them off captive to Bavel and put them to the sword.

For this is what the LORD says: ‘I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends. They will fall by the sword of their enemies before your very eyes. And I will hand Judah over to the king of Babylon, and he will carry them away to Babylon and put them to the sword.

For thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it; and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.

Jeremiah 20:4 delivers a powerful and chilling prophecy directly from the LORD concerning Pashur, the son of Immer the priest, who had previously struck Jeremiah and put him in stocks. This verse details the severe judgment that awaits Pashur and the nation of Judah, emphasizing God's sovereign control over their destiny.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jeremiah's release from the stocks, where he was placed by Pashur, a leading priest and temple official. Jeremiah had just delivered a message of impending doom, and Pashur's reaction was to silence and punish the prophet. In response, God renames Pashur "Magor-missabib," meaning "terror on every side," and this verse explains why. Judah, at this time, was teetering on the brink of complete collapse, facing the relentless advance of the Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah's message, though unpopular, consistently warned of this inevitable judgment due to Judah's idolatry and disobedience.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The LORD declares, "I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends." This is a direct reversal of Pashur's attempt to instill fear in Jeremiah. Instead, Pashur himself will become a source of dread, both internally and to those around him, a consequence of his opposition to God's word.
  • Inevitable Doom for Judah: The prophecy extends beyond Pashur to encompass all Judah. God explicitly states, "I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon." This highlights God's active role in orchestrating the Babylonian captivity, not merely as a passive observer but as the divine agent of judgment for the nation's persistent sin.
  • Witnessing Destruction: Pashur is condemned to witness the horrific downfall: "thine eyes shall behold [it]." This adds a layer of psychological torment to the physical destruction, emphasizing the depth of his personal suffering as he sees his friends fall and his nation led into exile or slain.
  • Sovereignty of God: Despite the power of human leaders or empires, the ultimate control rests with the LORD. He "gives" Judah into the hand of Babylon, asserting His supreme authority over nations and their destinies.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "make thee a terror to thyself" uses a form of the Hebrew root gûr, which implies being a source of dread or fear. This echoes the name "Magor-missabib" given to Pashur in the preceding verse (Jeremiah 20:3), underscoring a profound reversal of fortune and a prophetic irony. The KJV's "behold [it]" emphasizes the stark visual horror Pashur would endure.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 20:4 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of opposing God's revealed will and His messengers. It underscores the truth that God is sovereign over history and that His judgments, though sometimes delayed, are certain. For believers today, it highlights the importance of heeding divine warnings and aligning with God's purposes, rather than resisting them out of pride or self-interest. While we may not face literal sword and captivity, the principle remains: rebellion against God brings spiritual and often tangible consequences, while obedience leads to life and peace (see Deuteronomy 30:19).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 29:21

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

  • Job 18:11

    ¶ Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.

  • Job 18:21

    Surely such [are] the dwellings of the wicked, and this [is] the place [of him that] knoweth not God.

  • Jeremiah 39:6

    Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.

  • Jeremiah 39:7

    Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 21:4

    Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that [are] in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and [against] the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

  • Jeremiah 21:10

    For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

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