Jeremiah 20

“Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD , heard that Jeremiah…” Naming Immer and Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by…” Naming Benjamin and Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“For thus saith the LORD , Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“O LORD , thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bones, burning, fire. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cause, heart, hosts. Its relationship to verses 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Sing unto the LORD , praise ye the LORD : for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.” Naming Sing keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.” Naming Cursed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.” Naming Cursed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cities, hear, LORD. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.