probably from פָּשַׁח; liberation; Pashchur, the name of four Israelites; Pashur.
Transliteration:Pashchûwr
Pronunciation:pash-khoor'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma פַּשְׁחוּר (Pashchûwr), transliterated as Pashchur, is primarily a proper noun, serving as a personal name. Its etymology is given as "probably from פָּשַׁח" (pashach, `{{H6581}}`), meaning "to tear apart, dismember." From this root, the name Pashchur is understood to signify "liberation" or "freedom." While the direct semantic link between "tearing apart" and "liberation" might not be immediately obvious, it could imply the tearing away of bonds, the breaking of chains, or the dismembering of oppressive structures to achieve freedom. As a proper name, its semantic range is fixed by its given meaning, which then takes on layers of significance based on the character and fate of the individuals bearing it in the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Pashchur appears in several contexts within the Old Testament, predominantly in the book of Jeremiah and the post-exilic historical books.
1. **Pashchur son of Immer:** This is the most prominent and significant occurrence. He is identified as a priest and "chief officer in the house of the Lord" (Jeremiah 20:1). This Pashchur violently opposed the prophet Jeremiah, striking him and putting him in the stocks for prophesying doom upon Jerusalem. In a powerful act of divine judgment and prophetic wordplay, Jeremiah declares that God would rename Pashchur "Magor-missabib" (מָגוֹר מִסָּבִיב, "Terror on Every Side"), prophesying that both Pashchur and his family would be carried into Babylonian captivity and die there (Jeremiah 20:1-6). The profound irony here is striking: a name meaning "liberation" is borne by an oppressor who ultimately faces the antithesis of liberation—terror and captivity.
2. **Pashchur son of Malchiah:** Another individual bearing this name is a prince under King Zedekiah. He is sent with Gedaliah to inquire of Jeremiah during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, seeking a word from the Lord (Jeremiah 21:1). Later, he is among the officials who urge King Zedekiah to put Jeremiah to death for demoralizing the soldiers and the people (Jeremiah 38:1-4). While distinct from Pashchur son of Immer, this figure also represents opposition to Jeremiah and God's prophetic word, albeit through political maneuvering rather than physical violence.
3. **Ancestors of Post-Exilic Families:** The name Pashchur also appears in the genealogies of those who returned from Babylonian exile. For example, "the sons of Pashchur" are listed among those who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:38, Nehemiah 7:41). Furthermore, a descendant of Pashchur is mentioned among those who had married foreign women during the time of Ezra (Ezra 10:22), and a priest named Pashchur is listed among those who sealed the covenant in Nehemiah's time (Nehemiah 10:3). These occurrences suggest the continuity of the name within priestly and prominent families, though without the dramatic narrative detail of the Jeremiah accounts.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root פָּשַׁח (pashach, `{{H6581}}`), from which Pashchur's meaning of "liberation" is derived. This root's more common usage of "to tear, dismember" provides a conceptual backdrop that can be interpreted in light of liberation as the tearing apart of bonds or oppressive forces.
Concepts related to Pashchur's biblical narrative include:
* **Prophetic Confrontation:** The encounters between Jeremiah and the various Pashchurs highlight the tension between God's truth spoken through His prophets and the resistance from religious and political authorities.
* **Divine Justice and Judgment:** The fate of Pashchur son of Immer serves as a stark example of God's punitive justice against those who persecute His messengers and reject His word.
* **Irony of Names:** Biblical names often carry significant meaning, sometimes reflecting character or destiny. The profound irony of "liberation" being the name of an oppressor who faces terror and captivity underscores a theological principle of divine reversal and the consequences of unrighteousness.
* **Captivity and Exile:** The ultimate fate of Pashchur son of Immer directly relates to the broader theme of Judah's captivity and exile, a judgment for their persistent sin and rebellion.
* **True Freedom:** The narrative implicitly contrasts the superficial or political power sought by figures like Pashchur with the spiritual liberation offered through repentance and obedience to God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Pashchur, particularly Pashchur son of Immer, lies in the powerful irony embedded in his name and his destiny. His name, "liberation," stands in stark contrast to his actions as an oppressor of God's prophet and his ultimate fate of terror and captivity. This serves as a profound theological lesson:
1. **God's Sovereignty in Judgment:** The narrative demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs, including the naming and renaming of individuals to signify their divinely ordained destiny (e.g., "Magor-missabib"). It underscores that no human authority, even a high-ranking priest, can thwart God's purposes or escape His judgment for opposing His word.
2. **The Nature of True Liberation:** Pashchur's story implicitly defines true liberation not as political power or freedom from external constraints alone, but as freedom from the bondage of sin, rebellion, and self-will. His "liberation" was a false one, leading to spiritual and physical enslavement. The divine judgment upon him highlights that genuine freedom is found in alignment with God's will and truth.
3. **The Peril of Resisting the Prophetic Word:** Pashchur's persecution of Jeremiah illustrates the severe consequences for those who reject or actively oppose God's revealed truth. His actions were not merely personal animosity but an act of rebellion against the divine message, leading to a reversal of the very concept his name embodied.
4. **Divine Reversal:** The contrast between the name "liberation" and the experience of "terror on every side" is a powerful example of divine reversal, where human pride and opposition to God are met with a destiny that utterly contradicts their expectations or perceived identity.
### Summary
Pashchur (פַּשְׁחוּר, `{{H6583}}`), meaning "liberation," is a Hebrew proper name appearing several times in the Old Testament. While found in genealogies of those returning from exile, its most significant biblical occurrences are associated with two figures in the book of Jeremiah who opposed the prophet. Most notably, Pashchur son of Immer, a chief priest, persecuted Jeremiah and was subsequently renamed "Magor-missabib" ("Terror on Every Side") by divine decree, prophesying his death in Babylonian captivity. This narrative presents a profound theological irony: a man named "liberation" became an instrument of oppression who ultimately faced the antithesis of freedom. The study of Pashchur thus offers insights into divine justice, the perils of resisting God's prophetic word, and the true nature of liberation as a spiritual state rather than mere political or personal autonomy.
TRV