Contradictions in the Bible

[rlvaughn]

When I was a child, it seemed like unbelievers came up with “contradictions in the Bible” and Christians tried to answer the alleged contradictions. Nowadays it seems we have many Christians coming up with contradictions to use against other Christians. Doubtless there has always been some of that, but maybe it is just more painfully obvious now that we have the internet. Below are some samples of alleged contradictions in the Bible.

• There is a contradiction concerning David numbering Israel. 2 Samuel 24:1 says God incited David to count Israel, but 1 Chronicles 21:1 says that Satan did.
• There is a contradiction about who is the father of Joseph (Jesus’s stepfather). Matthew 1:16 says Jacob. Luke 3:23 says Eli.
• There is a contradiction about how Judas died. Matthew 27:5 says he hung himself. Acts 1:18 say he fell and his bowels spilled out.
• There is a contradiction about calling someone a fool. Jesus in Matthew 5:22 says don’t do it, lest engendering danger of hell fire. Paul does it, in 1 Corinthians 15:36.
• There is a contradiction about whether God authors confusion. Genesis 11:7-9 says he did at Babel. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says he doesn’t.
• There is a contradiction about honoring father and mother. Exodus 20:12 says to honor them. but Luke 14:26 says one who does not hate his father and mother cannot be a disciple of Jesus.

These are just some examples to illustrate the issue. How to answer those alleged contradictions is an interesting proposition. On the other hand, how to deal with alleged contradictions, generally, is a more intriguing question.

Do you answer or try to answer them, believing the Bible is inspired and inerrant, and therefore has no contradictions? Do you assume there may be a possibility of contradictions in the Bible? Do you think something else? Have a different approach?

Thanks.

 

[Alofa Atu]

When I was a child, it seemed like unbelievers came up with “contradictions in the Bible” and Christians tried to answer the alleged contradictions. Nowadays it seems we have many Christians coming up with contradictions to use against other Christians. Doubtless there has always been some of that, but maybe it is just more painfully obvious now that we have the internet. Below are some samples of alleged contradictions in the Bible.

• There is a contradiction concerning David numbering Israel. 2 Samuel 24:1 says God incited David to count Israel, but 1 Chronicles 21:1 says that Satan did.
• There is a contradiction about who is the father of Joseph (Jesus’s stepfather). Matthew 1:16 says Jacob. Luke 3:23 says Eli.
• There is a contradiction about how Judas died. Matthew 27:5 says he hung himself. Acts 1:18 say he fell and his bowels spilled out.
• There is a contradiction about calling someone a fool. Jesus in Matthew 5:22 says don’t do it, lest engendering danger of hell fire. Paul does it, in 1 Corinthians 15:36.
• There is a contradiction about whether God authors confusion. Genesis 11:7-9 says he did at Babel. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says he doesn’t.
• There is a contradiction about honoring father and mother. Exodus 20:12 says to honor them. but Luke 14:26 says one who does not hate his father and mother cannot be a disciple of Jesus.

These are just some examples to illustrate the issue. How to answer those alleged contradictions is an interesting proposition. On the other hand, how to deal with alleged contradictions, generally, is a more intriguing question.

Do you answer or try to answer them, believing the Bible is inspired and inerrant, and therefore has no contradictions? Do you assume there may be a possibility of contradictions in the Bible? Do you think something else? Have a different approach?

Thanks.

That unbelievers attempt to find 'contradictions' in the Bible (KJB) is no surprise, and even expected, but that "Christians" attempt to find 'contradictions' to use against other "Christians" is really heart breaking.

Since God is the one who inspired the people speaking forth that which would be written as the scriptures (KJB), it can only be without error, even as several texts state.

Do I answer these alleged 'contradictions', whether coming from a skeptic, and non-believer or from a Christian? Yes. To the skeptic and unbeliever that they may be without excuse and to the believer, that they may believe more fully, and come to a right mind regarding the scriptures.

For instance, the Atheist 'Bible', an online source, goes through the KJB text, and attempts to produce thousands of 'contradictions', etc. They are quite laughable, even though one or two have a serious bearing if not properly addressed.

For instance, take the material in regards the Father of Joseph (husband of Mary):

"Heli" is Mary's father, and thus Joseph becomes the "son" in law [as the two become "one flesh"], just as "David" became the "son" in law of King "Saul", having married Saul's daughter, "Michal", see:

1 Samuel 24:16 KJB - And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

1 Samuel 18:18 KJB - And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?​

Another for instance, see Naomi and Ruth:

Ruth 2:2 KJB - And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Ruth 1:22 KJB - So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.​

Scripture [KJB] does this all of the time, in regards ancestors, descendants, notice:

Adam:

Luke 3:38 KJB - Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.​

Eve:

Genesis 3:20 KJB - And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.​

Jesus:

Matthew 1:1 KJB - The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew 15:22 KJB - And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Jesus is called the "son of David" numerous times: Matthew 1:1, 9:27, 12:23, 15:22, 20:30,31, 21:9,15, 22:42; Mark 10:47,48, 12:35; Luke 18:38,39 KJB​

Zacchaeus:

Luke 19:9 KJB - And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.​

Elisabeth:

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.​

Joseph:

Matthew 1:20 KJB - But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.​

Christians:

Galatians 3:7 KJB - Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.​

It is always best, then to turn the question back around, and apply the everlasting Gospel and plan of Redemption to the questioner:

Matthew 22:41 KJB - While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

Matthew 22:42 KJB - Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

Matthew 22:43 KJB - He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

Matthew 22:44 KJB - The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Matthew 22:45 KJB - If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

Matthew 22:46 KJB - And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.​

Whose Son is Jesus?

There are 0 actual contradictions in the Bible (KJB). For other things which are called 'Bibles' (like NIV, etc) there are actual and demonstrable contradictions therein, not because they were part of an original language text, per se (unless a faulty ms, text, etc., was used), but because their translation committees added the problem into the their published text because they didn't know how to reconcile two or more places in scripture.

 

[rlvaughn]

While looking at this topic, I found the following book that looks like it might be interesting. Has anyone ever seen it?
https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Faith-Age-Reason-Contradictions/dp/1683440927

 

[Lodic]

For me, it largely depends on who is asking, and the tone of the questions. Many people claim the Bible is "full of contradictions", but can't name more than a couple (if any). They just repeat what they've heard others say. So, I offer to look at the contradictions they have in mind. When they can't think of any specifics, I try to turn this into a witnessing opportunity. If they actually do have a "contradiction" in mind, we can look at it. It still turns into a witnessing opportunity. I believe that God puts the skeptic in our path for a purpose, and we need to be ready to provide an answer.

"Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason" looks like a good resource. Another resource is this website that I discovered several years ago - BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS ANSWERED -- Biblical Errors Mistakes Difficulties Discrepancies Countered.

 

[robycop3]

That unbelievers attempt to find 'contradictions' in the Bible (KJB) is no surprise, and even expected, but that "Christians" attempt to find 'contradictions' to use against other "Christians" is really heart breaking.

Since God is the one who inspired the people speaking forth that which would be written as the scriptures (KJB), it can only be without error, even as several texts state.

Do I answer these alleged 'contradictions', whether coming from a skeptic, and non-believer or from a Christian? Yes. To the skeptic and unbeliever that they may be without excuse and to the believer, that they may believe more fully, and come to a right mind regarding the scriptures.

For instance, the Atheist 'Bible', an online source, goes through the KJB text, and attempts to produce thousands of 'contradictions', etc. They are quite laughable, even though one or two have a serious bearing if not properly addressed.

For instance, take the material in regards the Father of Joseph (husband of Mary):

"Heli" is Mary's father, and thus Joseph becomes the "son" in law [as the two become "one flesh"], just as "David" became the "son" in law of King "Saul", having married Saul's daughter, "Michal", see:

1 Samuel 24:16 KJB - And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

1 Samuel 18:18 KJB - And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?​

Another for instance, see Naomi and Ruth:

Ruth 2:2 KJB - And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Ruth 1:22 KJB - So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.​

Scripture [KJB] does this all of the time, in regards ancestors, descendants, notice:

Adam:

Luke 3:38 KJB - Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.​

Eve:

Genesis 3:20 KJB - And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.​

Jesus:

Matthew 1:1 KJB - The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew 15:22 KJB - And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Jesus is called the "son of David" numerous times: Matthew 1:1, 9:27, 12:23, 15:22, 20:30,31, 21:9,15, 22:42; Mark 10:47,48, 12:35; Luke 18:38,39 KJB​

Zacchaeus:

Luke 19:9 KJB - And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.​

Elisabeth:

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.​

Joseph:

Matthew 1:20 KJB - But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.​

Christians:

Galatians 3:7 KJB - Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.​

It is always best, then to turn the question back around, and apply the everlasting Gospel and plan of Redemption to the questioner:

Matthew 22:41 KJB - While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

Matthew 22:42 KJB - Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

Matthew 22:43 KJB - He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

Matthew 22:44 KJB - The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Matthew 22:45 KJB - If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

Matthew 22:46 KJB - And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.​

Whose Son is Jesus?

There are 0 actual contradictions in the Bible (KJB). For other things which are called 'Bibles' (like NIV, etc) there are actual and demonstrable contradictions therein, not because they were part of an original language text, per se (unless a faulty ms, text, etc., was used), but because their translation committees added the problem into the their published text because they didn't know how to reconcile two or more places in scripture.

What's a "KJB"? A new model Toyota?

 

[robycop3]

For me, it largely depends on who is asking, and the tone of the questions. Many people claim the Bible is "full of contradictions", but can't name more than a couple (if any). They just repeat what they've heard others say. So, I offer to look at the contradictions they have in mind. When they can't think of any specifics, I try to turn this into a witnessing opportunity. If they actually do have a "contradiction" in mind, we can look at it. It still turns into a witnessing opportunity. I believe that God puts the skeptic in our path for a purpose, and we need to be ready to provide an answer.

"Keeping Faith in an Age of Reason" looks like a good resource. Another resource is this website that I discovered several years ago - BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS ANSWERED -- Biblical Errors Mistakes Difficulties Discrepancies Countered.

One of the biggest ones is where Scripture says both David & Elhanan whacked Goliath, years apart. The KJV adds "the brother of" to the text for Elhanan.

The explanation is easy: "Goliath" is a HEBREW name, meaning 'splendor'.(The Philistines & israelis communicated in Aramaic, the "lingua franca" of the day.) It was likeny a handle the Israelis applied to the giant, as a 9-ft.tall man would certainly have been a 'splendor'. And they later applied it to Lahmi, his bro whom Elhanan whacked. 'Lahmi' is also a Hebrew name meaning 'my bread'.

So, almost certainly, the Israelis applied handles to those giants, same as we apply them to members of the same family.

 

[robycop3]

As for Judas, he likely hung himself in a hurry, with whatever he could find & toss over a tree limb. If it was a piece of cloth, he likely couldn't've tied it tight enough to have stayed put very long.

His body could've hung a few days, &, in the warm weather, decayed enough so that it burst open when it fell from his hastily-made "noose". But the evidence woulda been clear that he'd hanged himself.

 

[Lodic]

One of the biggest ones is where Scripture says both David & Elhanan whacked Goliath, years apart. The KJV adds "the brother of" to the text for Elhanan.

The explanation is easy: "Goliath" is a HEBREW name, meaning 'splendor'.(The Philistines & israelis communicated in Aramaic, the "lingua franca" of the day.) It was likeny a handle the Israelis applied to the giant, as a 9-ft.tall man would certainly have been a 'splendor'. And they later applied it to Lahmi, his bro whom Elhanan whacked. 'Lahmi' is also a Hebrew name meaning 'my bread'.

So, almost certainly, the Israelis applied handles to those giants, same as we apply them to members of the same family.

You are truly a Biblical scholar and a historian. I must completely agree that you've addressed that "contradiction" with a solid answer. Thank you.

 

[atpollard]

For instance, take the material in regards the Father of Joseph (husband of Mary):

"Heli" is Mary's father, and thus Joseph becomes the "son" in law [as the two become "one flesh"], just as "David" became the "son" in law of King "Saul", having married Saul's daughter, "Michal", see:

1 Samuel 24:16 KJB - And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

1 Samuel 18:18 KJB - And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
Another for instance, see Naomi and Ruth:

Ruth 2:2 KJB - And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Ruth 1:22 KJB - So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

So is Jesus really the Son of God ... or does the Bible REALLY mean Jesus is the son-in-law of God?
If the words don't really mean what they say, then how can anyone be sure of the meaning of any word?

[Your cure may be worse than the disease IMHO].

 

[Alofa Atu]

So is Jesus really the Son of God ... or does the Bible REALLY mean Jesus is the son-in-law of God?
If the words don't really mean what they say, then how can anyone be sure of the meaning of any word?

[Your cure may be worse than the disease IMHO].

You do not understand the scriptures, and thus your question is based in that ignorance (not knowing).

Internal context dictates each use of any given word in scripture, as scripture, properly defines itself (Genesis 40:8; 2 Peter 1:20, &c), even precept upon precept, line upon line (Isaiah 28:10,13) and nothing outside of it is to determine it's meaning (Isaiah 8:20).

All of the words of scripture (KJB) "mean what they say" in their proper context and self-defined definition.

My 'cure' (which comes from the Bible itself) is true, and your response is fallacious, a man-made false worry (in fact, you fit my definition of Christians attempting to fight other Christians by placing doubt in their minds (above)).

Jesus is the "son" of God in several ways (only begotten (original nature of the Father; the express image thereof), and a son of God in human nature, also), and also the "son-in-law" in another (since Jesus marries the 'daughter' (the People/Land/Kingdom) of the King (His Father)). He is both Alpha and Omega, Beginning and Ending, First and Last, Seventh-day Adventist.

 

[Marooncat79]

Judas hanged himself, the branch broke and when he landed his body cavity split causing his guts to leak out

 

[atpollard]

You do not understand the scriptures, and thus your question is based in that ignorance (not knowing).

[Matthew 1:15-16 NASB] 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

• a list of names in which each is stated as being the FATHER of the next.

[Luke 3:23-24 NASB] 23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

• a list of names in which each is stated as being the SON of the next.

In the first list, JACOB is called the father of JOSEPH and in the second list JOSEPH is called the son of ELI. Your speculation about Mary is as extrabiblical as her perpetual virginity and ascension. I am simply reading what is actually written.

If Joseph was the son-in-law of Eli, then was Eli the son-in-law of Matthat, the son-in-law of Levi, the son-in-law of Melchi, the son-in-law of Jannai, the son-in-law of Joseph ...

My assumption is that the same word repeated in a series like that is intended to convey the same meaning in each identical usage. The Mary lineage is a good HYPOTHESIS, but the actual scripture nowhere SAYS that is the lineage of Mary rather than Joseph ... it SAYS "Joseph, the son of Eli, the son of Matthat".

Do you answer or try to answer them, believing the Bible is inspired and inerrant, and therefore has no contradictions? Do you assume there may be a possibility of contradictions in the Bible? Do you think something else? Have a different approach?

I do not bend scripture to fit my preferred interpretation. I accept what it says, the easy and the hard. The TRUTHS necessary for salvation are easy and impossible to miss and taught by God, anyway ... so there is no need to worry about them. The HARD TRUTHS are related to mysteries of God, revealed by the Holy Spirit on an "AS Needed" basis, and non-essential for salvation or a life of service to the King of Kings or His Body, the Church.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

I tend to be a bit more circumspect in addressing personal inquiries, that is, my response would depend much on the one asking. Being skeptical is commendable, provided the skepticism is consistent. Ultimately, the question boils down to one of truth, whether we are really interested in it or not.

But there can be emotional considerations, for example, prior abuse at the hands of others, that may have to be dealt with first. Perhaps it will sound strange to some, but I would put all of this in the category of context. I’m reminded of CS Lewis writing that you don’t study men, you get to know them.

 

[robycop3]

Judas hanged himself, the branch broke and when he landed his body cavity split causing his guts to leak out

That's why I believe he hung a few days; it takes a pretty hard impact to bust a gut open on a freshly-dead body. (I was a Navy coprsman, so I know.)

 

[Alex2165]

I do not believe that Bible has any contradictions, because it must be taken to account that a certain statement or event may been recorder or repeated by two or more different persons, and at different periods of time.


Translations also must be taken to account, because far not all Bible versions translate their texts in the same way.


Even those authors who wrote a certain event in one point of time, later could write the same event a little bit differently than the first account.


Perhaps the best example of such differences in texts are the accounts of Gospel writers, each of them describes the same event in their own way, slightly different from one another.


If we recall something from the past in writing or in a verbal form, it is not always exactly the same as we described it before.


Personally, I do not see any "contradictions" in the Bible, but to better understand the true meaning of that is written, I do cross-reference with other Bibles to see how majority of the Bibles presented the questionable passage or event.

 

[robycop3]

When I was a cop, I might've gotten four eyewitness accounts of the same traffic accident from four different honest, literate, well-meaning witnesses. Each would be at least slightly-different.

Or, I sometimes got accounts from each driver involved, & passengers from each vehicle involved, and from those in other vehicles in the immediate proximity. Every one would be different!

So, my job became to examine all the evidence for myself, especially the physical evidence such as the vehicles themselves, skid marks, driver impairment,(if any) types of vehicles involved, road & weather conditions...the list is long. For my part, I tried to make as accurate & comprehensive reports as I could, calling in experts in case of fatality or severe injury, or significant property damage.

We should do the same for Scripture. we have some of what appear to be contradicting reports in places. We should consider who wrote each account, how long after the actual events they were written, etc, etc. & make our conclusions with a big dose of PRAYER included in the mix.

A quick look at the "fool" question: In the KJV's account of Jesus' parable about the rich farmer, God said to him,"Thou fool" The Greek word for 'fool' here is 'aphron, whose English translations pretty well line up with out noun 'fool'. But in Matt. 5:22, the Greek word for fool is 'moros', whose best English meaning is "impious or godless". But in the sentence above, Jesus mentions calling a brother Jew "raca", which was from Aramaic, & a term of reproach or an ad-hominem among the Jews of that time. So, actually, Jesus is warning to not call someone godless or a heretic without cause. And where Paul is quoted in the KJV as saying thou fool, the Greek here for fool is the above-mentioned aphron. (Note: a dictionary definition of 'fool' is a stupid person lacking judgment, prudence, & common sense.)

JESUS' warning is against godlessness, not for calling someone stupid, even though He warns that calling another Jew raca could land one before the Sanhedrin. landing in fronta GOD'S "sanhedrin" is far-worse! So, there's no contradiction here between Jesus & Paul! It's just the KJV's lack of word variety.

 

[rlvaughn]

There are some people who search through the Bible (or web sites) just to see how big a list of contradictions they can come up with. They are against the Bible and not interested in the truth. Some of the alleged contradictions are so silly that children can see through them. Most of the time there is little profit in engaging with these people, since they will not be satisfied with even the most excellent of explanations. Others run across certain passages they cannot understand or explain, and are looking for and need serious and sincere answers.

I think some people do not understand what a contradiction is. For example, telling a story twice that has some different information is not necessarily contradictory. Often the information is complementary. For example, it can serve to fill out details of a story that was that was often told succinctly.

Here is another example, of something slightly different. We might say the same thing twice in different words that mean the same thing. I might say that Johnny did not stop at the red light. Later I might say that Johnny sped through the traffic signal when it was yellow. Someone who does not understand might see a contradiction. First you said the light was red, then you said it was yellow! No, first I said the "red light" -- as in stoplight, traffic light, traffic signal -- not that the light was red.

 

[rlvaughn]

So, there's no contradiction here between Jesus & Paul! It's just the KJV's lack of word variety.

If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. The use of fool in Matthew 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 15:36 is not a KJV issue. Most translations use that word in those two places.