King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 20:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 20:5 in the King James Version says “Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof,...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 20:5 · KJV

Strength

Context

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.

7

O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. was deceived: or, was enticed

Read Jeremiah 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse expands the prophecy's scope from Pashur personally to all Jerusalem. The phrase 'all the strength of this city' (kol-yegia, כָּל־יְגִיעַ) refers to the wealth, resources, and labor accumulated in Jerusalem—everything built, created, and stored. 'All the labours thereof' emphasizes the work invested in the city's prosperity. 'All the precious things' (kol-yiqar, כָּל־יְקָר) includes treasures, valuables, and items of worth. 'All the treasures of the kings of Judah' specifies the royal wealth accumulated over generations. The fourfold 'all' (kol) emphasizes totality—complete loss, nothing spared. The phrase 'give into the hand of their enemies' uses the covenant curse language from Deuteronomy 28:25, 48. The verbs that follow—'spoil' (bazaz, בָּזַז, plunder), 'take' (laqach, לָקַח, capture), 'carry' (bo, בּוֹא, bring/transport)—describe systematic conquest and deportation. This prophecy was fulfilled precisely when Babylon looted Jerusalem's temple and palace treasuries (2 Kings 24:13, 25:13-17). The verse demonstrates that accumulating wealth, building strong cities, and trusting in material prosperity provides no security when God's judgment comes. Only covenant faithfulness offers true security.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern conquest typically involved three stages exactly as described here: military defeat, plundering of valuables, and deportation of survivors. Archaeological evidence from Jerusalem's destruction layers (circa 586 BC) confirms extensive burning and looting. The Babylonian Chronicles record Nebuchadnezzar's conquest and deportation of Judah's leadership and wealth. Jewish historical sources (Josephus, rabbinic literature) describe how Babylon systematically emptied Jerusalem's treasuries, taking even the temple's sacred vessels. These items appeared later in Babylon (Daniel 5:2-3) and some were eventually returned under Cyrus (Ezra 1:7-11). The economic devastation was comprehensive—Judah remained impoverished throughout the exile period. This historical fulfillment vindicated Jeremiah's prophecy and demonstrated the futility of trusting in material security while ignoring covenant obligations. As Jesus later taught, earthly treasures are temporary and vulnerable (Matthew 6:19-20); only treasures in heaven—faithfulness to God—endure.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the loss of "all" Jerusalem's wealth and labor challenge any assumption that material prosperity indicates God's blessing or provides security?
  2. What does this comprehensive judgment teach about the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness even when externally everything appears strong and prosperous?
  3. In what ways does Babylon's plundering of Jerusalem's treasures illustrate Jesus' teaching about storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
אֶתֵּן֙1 of 24

“Moreover I will deliver”

H5414

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

אֶת2 of 24
H853

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

כָּל3 of 24
H3605

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

חֹ֙סֶן֙4 of 24

“all the strength”

H2633

wealth

הָעִ֣יר5 of 24

“of this city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַזֹּ֔את6 of 24
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְאֶת7 of 24
H853

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

כָּל8 of 24
H3605

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

יְגִיעָ֖הּ9 of 24

“and all the labours”

H3018

toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)

וְאֶת10 of 24
H853

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

כָּל11 of 24
H3605

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

יְקָרָ֑הּ12 of 24

“thereof and all the precious things”

H3366

value, i.e., (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity

וְאֵ֨ת13 of 24
H853

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

כָּל14 of 24
H3605

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

אוֹצְר֜וֹת15 of 24

“thereof and all the treasures”

H214

a depository

מַלְכֵ֣י16 of 24

“of the kings”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֗ה17 of 24

“of Judah”

H3063

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

אֶתֵּן֙18 of 24

“Moreover I will deliver”

H5414

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

בְּיַ֣ד19 of 24

“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

אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם20 of 24

“of their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

וּבְזָזוּם֙21 of 24

“which shall spoil”

H962

to plunder

וּלְקָח֔וּם22 of 24

“them and take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וֶהֱבִיא֖וּם23 of 24

“them and carry”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בָּבֶֽלָה׃24 of 24

“them to Babylon”

H894

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

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 20:5 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 20:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 15:13Ezekiel 22:252 Kings 20:17-182 Kings 24:12-162 Kings 25:13-17Jeremiah 17:3

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 20 →

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