Jeremiah 20:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Paschor struck the prophet Jeremiah and imprisoned him in the treasury, specifically in the cell located at the entrance to Benjamin's residence, which was part of the esteemed house of the Most High, situated within the temple grounds. This esteemed area, referred to as the guardhouse, was called the treasury due to its appearance and was regarded as high because it was located in an open courtyard. The mention of Jeremiah being in the house of the Lord highlights Paschor's role as a priest who served in the temple, as he subsequently placed Jeremiah into confinement.

Paschor served as a priest aligned with construction, yet he harbored animosity towards Jeremiah due to the prophet's admonitions directed at his fellow priests. Paschor was disturbed by Jeremiah's bold declarations in the royal city, which defied the priests' prohibition against such teaching. Consequently, the priests and high priests of Judah rose in opposition to John, our Lord, and His disciples.

Phasuerus, the son of Emmer, who was appointed as governor in the house of the Lord, witnessed Jeremiah delivering a prophecy. In an act of aggression, Phasuerus struck the prophet Jeremiah and confined him to the stockade positioned at the upper gate of Benjamin within the Lord's house. The Seventy, instead of Phasuerus, rendered the name Faskor, which denotes darkness of countenance. They also chose to interpret the stockade differently; Seventy and Theodotion translated it as the lock, while Simmachus referred to it as the place of torment, a term that signifies suffering. Our translation uses the term stockade in accordance with common usage. This type of affliction is echoed in the experience of the apostles Paul and Silas, who were also cast into prison (Acts 16).

When Paschor, the high priest, heard this message, he not only attacked the prophet but also imprisoned him. It is recorded in Jeremiah 20:2: "And Paschor struck Jeremiah the Prophet and placed him in the stocks." This refers to a certain underground location, one of many chambers in the temple constructed by Solomon. Even the day after Jeremiah had been expelled, Paschor continued to receive further communication from him.