Jeremiah 20:7 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. O Lord, thou hast deceived me - Thou hast promised me protection; and, lo! I am now delivered into the hands of my enemies. These words were probably spoken when Pashur smote him, and put him in prison.

I think our translation of this passage is very exceptionable. My old Bible reads, Thou laddist me aside Lord; and I was lad aside. The original word is פתיתני pittithani, thou hast persuaded me, i.e., to go and prophesy to this people. I went, faithfully declared thy message, and now I am likely to perish by their cruelty. As the root פתה pathah signifies to persuade and allure as well as to deceive, the above must be its meaning in this place. Taken as in our Version it is highly irreverent. It is used in the same sense here as in Genesis 9:27 : God shall enlarge (persuade, margin) Japheth; and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem.

Jeremiah 20:7

7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived:b thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.