Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 20:1-6

"Now Pashhur, the son of Immer the priest, who was chief officer in the house of Jehovah, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. Then Pashhur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of Jehovah. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashhur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, Jehovah hath not called thy name Pashhur, but Magor-missabib. For thus saith Jehovah, 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 to Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword. Moreover I will give all the riches of this city, and all the gains thereof, and all the precious things thereof, yea, all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies; and they shall make them a prey, and take them, and carry them to Babylon. And thou, Pashhur, and all that dwell in thy house shall go into captivity; and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and there shalt thou be buried, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied falsely." — Jeremiah 20:1-6 (ASV)

Having finished the threat against the people, he begins the threat against the rulers.

First, the prophet’s threat against the rulers is given.

Second, the conspiracy of the rulers against the prophet is described, as it says below: in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, king of Judah (Jeremiah 26:1).

Regarding the first point, there are two parts.

First, he makes a threat against the rulers of the Judean people.

Second, he makes a threat against them and others, as it says below: the word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord (Jeremiah 25:1).

The first point divides into two parts.

First, he makes a threat against the rulers, as those established in the highest rank of dignity.

Second, he makes a threat against everyone, as it says below: woe to the shepherds who scatter and tear in pieces the flock (Jeremiah 23:1).

Regarding the first point, there are two parts.

First, he makes a threat against the highest in spiritual dignity, namely, the high priest.

Second, he makes a threat against the highest in temporal dignity, namely, the king, as it says below: the word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord (Jeremiah 21:1).

Regarding the first point, there are two parts.

First, he gives the threat against the high priest.

Second, because of the danger that threatened the prophet as a result of this, he gives his own complaint: O Lord, you have deceived me (Jeremiah 20:7).

Regarding the first point, there are two parts.

First, the reason for the threat is established, arising from the prophet’s persecution. The reason for the persecution is given: prophesying these words against the city. For this was the duty of the high priest—to bring false prophets to trial, as it says below: the Lord has made you a priest in the place of Jehoiada the priest, that you may be the ruler in the house of the Lord over every madman and prophet, that you may put them in the stocks and in prison (Jeremiah 29:26).

The text describes the prophet’s persecution: and Pashhur struck . . . and put him in fetters, which was a device in a prison used for torturing captives. This happened at the gate of Benjamin, which led to the tribe of Benjamin, as the city was located on the border of both tribes (Joshua 15:8, 18:28). It is called the upper gate, perhaps because there were many gates leading to that land. The gate was in the house of the Lord, and for this reason, prophets and ministers of the temple were judged there and imprisoned. As the prophet says elsewhere, He has built against me all around that I may not go out; he has made my fetters heavy (Lamentations 3:7).

The prophet’s liberation is also described: the next day, when it was light, Pashhur brought Jeremiah from prison. It happened that next day that their princes gathered together in Jerusalem, both the elders and the scribes (Acts 4:5). Who brings forth the bound with strength (Psalms 67:7).

Second, the threat itself is given.

First, the punishment is designated by the changing of the name: and Jeremiah said to him. He speaks like a fearful man looking all around him. Terror to those who work evil (Proverbs 10:29).

Second, the threat of punishment is stated: for thus says the Lord.

• Regarding his friends: to yourself and all your friends. Their priests have fallen by the sword (Psalms 77:64).
• Regarding his subjects, speaking of the people’s captivity: and all Judah. Judah has gone away because of her affliction, and the greatness of her bondage; she has dwelt among the nations, but has found no rest (Lamentations 1:3).
• Regarding the plundering of goods: and I shall give the whole substance of this city. Everything which is in your house, and which your fathers stored up until this day, shall be carried away to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord (Isaiah 39:6).
• Regarding his own household: but you, Pashhur, and all those who dwell in your house, shall go into captivity . . . and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied a lie, by promising them prosperity. The Lord will cast you like a ball in a wide and spacious land. There, you will die (Isaiah 22:18). Your sons and your daughters will fall by the sword, and your land shall be measured by a line; and you shall die in a polluted land, and Israel shall go from his land as a captive (Amos 7:17).