Old Testament

Jeremiah 20:1

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

Now Pashur son of Immer, a priest who served as the chief officer in the LORD's temple, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.

What Jeremiah 20:1 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, we are introduced to Pashur, the son of Immer, who is a priest and holds a significant position as the chief officer in the temple of the Lord. His role indicates that he is responsible for overseeing the temple's activities and ensuring that worship practices are conducted properly. When Pashur hears Jeremiah prophesying, it suggests that he is aware of the messages being delivered by the prophet, which often included warnings about the consequences of the people's disobedience to God. This moment sets the stage for conflict, as Pashur's authority and the prophetic messages of Jeremiah may clash. The verse highlights the tension between religious leaders and prophets, especially when the messages challenge the status quo or call for repentance. It also emphasizes the importance of listening to God's word, even when it comes from unexpected sources. Pashur's reaction to Jeremiah's prophecies will be crucial in understanding the broader narrative of Jeremiah's ministry and the challenges he faced in delivering God's messages to a resistant audience.

How to apply Jeremiah 20:1 to your life

This verse reminds us of the importance of being open to God's messages, even when they come from unexpected sources. It encourages us to listen carefully to what God may be saying through others, especially when it challenges our beliefs or practices. Staying humble and receptive can lead to growth and understanding.

Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of Jeremiah holding up a clay jar before the elders outside the walls of Jerusalem

Illustrated scene from Jeremiah's story: The Clay Jar (Jeremiah 19:1–20:6)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Jeremiah

Panoramic view across Tel Beer Sheva archaeological site and surrounding landscape.

Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Beersheba

Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Jeremiah 20:1

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Jeremiah 20:1

At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah

Author
Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
Written
Around 600 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah before and during the Babylonian exile

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jeremiah 20:1 mean?

Jeremiah 20:1 introduces Pashur, a priest and chief officer in the temple, who hears Jeremiah's prophecies. This sets up a potential conflict between Pashur's authority and Jeremiah's messages from God, highlighting the tension between religious leaders and prophets.

Who is Pashur in Jeremiah 20:1?

Pashur, the son of Immer, is a priest and the chief officer in the temple of the Lord. His role indicates he is responsible for overseeing temple activities and represents the religious authority during Jeremiah's prophetic ministry.

What themes are present in Jeremiah 20:1?

Key themes in Jeremiah 20:1 include prophecy, religious authority, conflict, and obedience to God. The verse illustrates the struggle between prophetic messages and the established religious leadership.

How does Jeremiah 20:1 relate to the broader narrative of Jeremiah's ministry?

This verse sets the stage for the challenges Jeremiah faces as a prophet, particularly in delivering messages that may conflict with the views of religious leaders like Pashur. It highlights the resistance Jeremiah encounters in his mission to call for repentance.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.