פַּשְׁחוּר (pash.chur)
pash.chur
Pashhur
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Pashhur, meaning "freedom," appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily within lists of priests and temple officials during the periods of Judah’s monarchy and the post-exilic restoration. The sources identify several distinct individuals bearing this title, all connected to the Levitical priesthood. One prominent figure served as a chief officer under King Zedekiah, while another, identified as the son of Immer, held the position of governor over the house of God.
Historical records in Jeremiah describe this second Pashhur as the official who imprisoned the prophet Jeremiah by placing him in stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin (Jeremiah 20:1-2). Despite his opposition to the prophetic message, the lineage continues into the return from exile. A descendant named Pashhur, son of Malchijah, is listed among the ancestors of temple workers who served under Nehemiah (Ezra 2:36; Nehemiah 7:39), demonstrating how families with complex histories remained integral to religious life in Jerusalem.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Pashhur appears in Scripture as both a person and a lineage, carrying a meaning that points toward freedom or breaking open. In the Old Testament, this name is attached to several individuals within the priestly orders of Judah. One prominent figure, Pashhur son of Immer, served as an official in the temple and famously imprisoned the prophet Jeremiah for speaking God’s hard truths about Jerusalem’s coming judgment.
Yet the story does not end with opposition. The biblical record shows that descendants of this family, including a Pashhur son of Malchijah, remained part of the religious community even after the exile. They returned to rebuild the temple and serve in Jerusalem under Nehemiah. This persistence reminds us that God’s plan for restoration often works through complex human histories, using imperfect people to fulfill His purposes.
For your faith life, this word highlights that our roles in God’s house are not defined by perfect consistency but by continued participation in His work. Even when we face correction or conflict, as Pashhur did with Jeremiah, there is room for redemption and ongoing service. The legacy of these priests shows that faithful presence in the community matters deeply to God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Pashhur11×
- and/ Pashhur1×
- O Pashhur1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַשְׁח֔וּר3×
- פַּשְׁחוּר֙2×
- פַּשְׁח֖וּר2×
- פַּשְׁח֔וּר1×
- פַּשְׁח֑וּר1×
- פַשְׁחוּר֙1×
- פַשְׁח֛וּר1×
- פַשְׁח֗וּר1×
- וּ/פַשְׁח֖וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 20:1
Now Pashhur, the son of Immer the priest, who was chief officer in Yahweh’s house, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.
This verse introduces Pashhur as a chief officer who actively opposes Jeremiah’s prophecy, establishing his role as an antagonist in the narrative.
-
Jeremiah 20:3
On the next day, Pashhur released Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, “Yahweh has not called your name Pashhur, but Magormissabib.
Here Jeremiah pronounces a name change to Magormissabib, symbolizing that Pashhur’s authority will result in terror rather than freedom.
-
Ezra 2:38
The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.
This census lists the descendants of Pashhur returning from exile, showing the family’s continued presence in post-exilic Judah.
-
Nehemiah 11:12
and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,
Adaiah, a descendant of Pashhur, is listed among those who performed temple work, indicating the family’s restored role in worship.