Tyndale Open Study NotesJeremiah 20

Pashhur, the head of the police maintaining order in the Temple area, was second in authority to the high priest. He had heard Jeremiah announce the Lord's decree about the destruction of Jerusalem, including the Temple. He considered it such blasphemy that he believed Jeremiah should be punished.

The persecution Jeremiah faced escalated from words to actions. He was whipped and put in stocks overnight for allegedly blaspheming the Temple. Upon his release, Jeremiah delivered a message of personal condemnation from the Lord to his jailer.

Magor-missabib: In Hebrew, this means "surrounded by terror." Compare Jeremiah 46:5; Psalm 31:13.

This is the first time Jeremiah names Babylon as the country whose armies will invade Judah and take the people into exile. The invaders will take the precious jewels, gold, and silver, leaving Judah without resources.

Pashhur would face evidence showing he was a false prophet.

you have deceived me: Jeremiah talked about his calling from the Lord (Jeremiah 1:5–10) using the same Hebrew word that in other places means sexual seduction (Exodus 22:16).

Jeremiah could not stop speaking God's judgment, even though people mocked him for it (see also Job 32:18–20; Psalm 39:1–3; Acts 4:18–20).

The people mockingly called Jeremiah by the name he had given to Pashhur, Terror is on every side (Jeremiah 20:3). Even Jeremiah’s old friends tried to twist his words and trap him.

Jeremiah realized that God was like a powerful warrior by his side. Jeremiah's enemies were at a disadvantage and would completely fail.

Jeremiah fully trusted the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (see Jeremiah 5:14), who could take revenge on the prophet’s enemies.

Suddenly, relief and joy filled Jeremiah's soul. He remembered that when he was poor and needy, the Lord had saved him from his oppressors.

Jeremiah hoped for rescue, but he still faced harsh realities. Surprised by his persecution, he wished he were dead or had never been born (see Jeremiah 16:3–4; Job 3).

The ancient cities were likely Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24–29).

Jeremiah felt his life had no purpose.