Jeremiah 20:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God declares Pashur will experience terror, his friends will fall by the sword, and Judah will be handed to Babylon's king.
The Context of Jeremiah 20:4
God specifies how Pashur and all Judah will experience catastrophe through Babylon's conquest.
What Does Jeremiah 20:4 Mean?
This prophecy encompasses personal devastation and national calamity. Pashur's inner fear (terror to himself) will be matched by outward loss—friends falling in battle. His attempt to suppress God's word has placed him on the wrong side of history. The coming Babylonian conquest is not merely a foreign invasion but the fulfillment of God's judgment on Judah's rejection of His prophets.
The detail that Pashur's eyes will witness these events adds a layer of personal anguish. Survival becomes curse when one must watch all protective structures—friendship, national security, religious authority—collapse. God's word, rejected by Pashur, will prove entirely true.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 20:4
What does Jeremiah 20:4 mean?
God declares Pashur will experience terror, his friends will fall by the sword, and Judah will be handed to Babylon's king.
What is the context of Jeremiah 20:4?
God specifies how Pashur and all Judah will experience catastrophe through Babylon's conquest.