King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 20:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 20:4 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by th...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 20:4 · KJV

Context

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.

3

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib. Magormissabib: that is, Fear round about

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.

5

Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.

6

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.

Read Jeremiah 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's judgment on Pashur is comprehensive and ironic. The phrase 'I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends' reveals that Pashur's name (Magor-missabib, 'terror on every side') will be fulfilled personally—he will experience the very fear he should have felt when opposing God's word. The Hebrew 'terror' (magor, מָגוֹר) speaks of dread and horror. Instead of being a source of security as a temple official, Pashur will become a source of disaster to those around him. The prophecy specifies: 'they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it'—Pashur will witness his friends' deaths, experiencing survivor's guilt and trauma. The declaration 'I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon' directly contradicts the temple theology Pashur defended. The false prophets promised peace and security; God promises conquest. The specificity—'carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword'—describes exactly what happened in 586 BC. This verse demonstrates that opposing God's word doesn't change reality; it only ensures you experience judgment unprepared.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy was delivered around 605-604 BC, during King Jehoiakim's reign. At this time, Babylon was rising but hadn't yet conquered Jerusalem. The false prophets assured Judah that God would protect His city and temple regardless of their covenant unfaithfulness. This theology was based on misapplied promises from Isaiah's time, when God did miraculously deliver Jerusalem from Assyria (2 Kings 19). But circumstances had changed—Isaiah's generation had godly King Hezekiah and genuine repentance; Jeremiah's generation had wicked kings and persistent idolatry. Approximately 20 years after this prophecy, Babylon conquered Jerusalem (586 BC), burned the temple, slaughtered many, and exiled the survivors—exactly as Jeremiah prophesied. Pashur, as a prominent priest, would have been prime candidate for execution or exile. Historical records from Babylon show that temple personnel and nobility were specifically targeted in the conquest. The vindication of Jeremiah's word came at terrible cost, but it established that true prophecy must be heeded regardless of how unwelcome.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Pashur becoming "a terror to himself and his friends" illustrate the principle that sin brings consequences often affecting those around us?
  2. What does this judgment reveal about the danger of defending theological positions that contradict God's revealed word, even when those positions are popular and protect our interests?
  3. In what ways does God's specific, verifiable prophecy about Babylon demonstrate His sovereignty over history and the certainty of His word?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
כִּ֣י1 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֣ה2 of 26
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר3 of 26

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֡ה4 of 26

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הִנְנִי֩5 of 26
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֶתֵּן֙6 of 26

“Behold I will make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְמָג֜וֹר7 of 26

“thee a terror”

H4032

a fright (objective or subjective)

לְךָ֣8 of 26
H0
וּלְכָל9 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֹהֲבֶ֗יךָ10 of 26

“to thyself and to all thy friends”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וְנָֽפְל֛וּ11 of 26

“and they shall fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

בֶּחָֽרֶב׃12 of 26

“by the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם13 of 26

“of their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

וְעֵינֶ֣יךָ14 of 26

“and thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

רֹא֑וֹת15 of 26

“shall behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְאֶת16 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל17 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְהוּדָ֗ה18 of 26

“all Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֶתֵּן֙19 of 26

“Behold I will make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּיַ֣ד20 of 26

“into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֶֽלֶךְ21 of 26

“of the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֖לָה22 of 26

“into Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וְהִגְלָ֥ם23 of 26

“and he shall carry them captive”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

בָּבֶ֖לָה24 of 26

“into Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וְהִכָּ֥ם25 of 26

“and shall slay”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בֶּחָֽרֶב׃26 of 26

“by the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 20:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 20:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 29:21Jeremiah 25:9Jeremiah 39:6-7Jeremiah 32:27-31Jeremiah 21:4-10Deuteronomy 28:65-67

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 20 →

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