Contradictions Of The Bible
If the Bible was divinely inspired, then why would it have so many really obvious contradictions? Here is a short and incomplete list of the contradictions in the bible:
1. God is satisfied with his works
Gen 1:31 God is dissatisfied with his works. Gen 6:6 2. God dwells in chosen temples 2 Chron 7:12,16 God dwells not in temples Acts 7:48 3. God dwells in light Tim 6:16 God dwells in darkness 1 Kings 8:12/ Ps 18:11/ Ps 97:2 4. God is seen and heard Ex 33:23/ Ex 33:11/ Gen 3:9,10/ Gen 32:30/ Is 6:1/ Ex 24:9-11 God is invisible and cannot be heard John 1:18/ John 5:37/ Ex 33:20/ 1 Tim 6:16 5. God is tired and rests Ex 31:17 God is never tired and never rests Is 40:28 6. God is everywhere present, sees and knows all things Prov 15:3/ Ps 139:7-10/ Job 34:22,21 God is not everywhere present, neither sees nor knows all things Gen 11:5/ Gen 18:20,21/ Gen 3:8 7. God knows the hearts of men Acts 1:24/ Ps 139:2,3 God tries men to find out what is in their heart Deut 13:3/ Deut 8:2/ Gen 22:12 8. God is all powerful Jer 32:27/ Matt 19:26 God is not all powerful Judg 1:19 9. God is unchangeable James 1:17/ Mal 3:6/ Ezek 24:14/ Num 23:19 God is changeable Gen 6:6/ Jonah 3:10/ 1 Sam 2:30,31/ 2 Kings 20:1,4,5,6/ Ex 33:1,3,17,14 10. God is just and impartial Ps 92:15/ Gen 18:25/ Deut 32:4/ Rom 2:11/ Ezek 18:25 God is unjust and partial Gen 9:25/ Ex 20:5/ Rom 9:11-13/ Matt 13:12 11. God is the author of evil Lam 3:38/ Jer 18:11/ Is 45:7/ Amos 3:6/ Ezek 20:25 God is not the author of evil 1 Cor 14:33/ Deut 32:4/ James 1:13 12. God gives freely to those who ask James 1:5/ Luke 11:10 God withholds his blessings and prevents men from receiving them John 12:40/ Josh 11:20/ Is 63:17 13. God is to be found by those who seek him Matt 7:8/ Prov 8:17 God is not to be found by those who seek him Prov 1:28 14. God is warlike Ex 15:3/ Is 51:15 God is peaceful Rom 15:33/ 1 Cor 14:33 15. God is cruel, unmerciful, destructive, and ferocious Jer 13:14/ Deut 7:16/ 1 Sam 15:2,3/ 1 Sam 6:19 God is kind, merciful, and good James 5:11/ Lam 3:33/ 1 Chron 16:34/ Ezek 18:32/ Ps 145:9/ 1 Tim 2:4/ 1 John 4:16/ Ps 25:8 16. God's anger is fierce and endures long Num 32:13/ Num 25:4/ Jer 17:4 God's anger is slow and endures but for a minute Ps 103:8/ Ps 30:5 17. God commands, approves of, and delights in burnt offerings, sacrifices ,and holy days Ex 29:36/ Lev 23:27/ Ex 29:18/ Lev 1:9 God disapproves of and has no pleasure in burnt offerings, sacrifices, and holy days. Jer 7:22/ Jer 6:20/ Ps 50:13,4/ Is 1:13,11,12 18. God accepts human sacrifices 2 Sam 21:8,9,14/ Gen 22:2/ Judg 11:30-32,34,38,39 God forbids human sacrifice Deut 12:30,31 19. God tempts men Gen 22:1/ 2 Sam 24:1/ Jer 20:7/ Matt 6:13 God tempts no man James 1:13 20. God cannot lie Heb 6:18 God lies by proxy; he sends forth lying spirits t deceive 2 Thes 2:11/ 1 Kings 22:23/ Ezek 14:9 21. Because of man's wickedness God destroys him Gen 6:5,7 Because of man's wickedness God will not destroy him Gen 8:21 22. God's attributes are revealed in his works. Rom 1:20 God's attributes cannot be discovered Job 11:7/ Is 40:28 23. There is but one God Deut 6:4 There is a plurality of gods Gen 1:26/ Gen 3:22/ Gen 18:1-3/ 1 John 5:7 24. Robbery commanded Ex 3:21,22/ Ex 12:35,36 Robbery forbidden Lev 19:13/ Ex 20:15 25. Lying approved and sanctioned Josh 2:4-6/ James 2:25/ Ex 1:18-20/ 1 Kings 22:21,22 Lying forbidden Ex 20:16/ Prov 12:22/ Rev 21:8 26. Hatred to the Edomite sanctioned 2 Kings 14:7,3 Hatred to the Edomite forbidden Deut 23:7 27. Killing commanded Ex 32:27 Killing forbidden Ex 20:13 28. The blood-shedder must die Gen 9:5,6 The blood-shedder must not die Gen 4:15 29. The making of images forbidden Ex 20:4 The making of images commanded Ex 25:18,20 30. Slavery and oppression ordained Gen 9:25/ Lev 25:45,46/ Joel 3:8 Slavery and oppression forbidden Is 58:6/ Ex 22:21/ Ex 21:16/ Matt 23:10 61. All the cattle and horses in Egypt died
Ex 9:3,6/ 14:9 All the horses of Egypt did not die Ex 14:9 62. Moses feared Pharaoh Ex 2:14,15,23; 4:19 Moses did not fear Pharaoh Heb 11:27 63. There died of the plague twenty-four thousand Num 25:9 There died of the plague but twenty-three thousand 1 Cor 10:8 64. John the Baptist was Elias Matt 11:14 John the Baptist was not Elias John 1:21 65. The father of Joseph, Mary's husband was Jacob Matt 1:16 The father of Mary's husband was Heli Luke 3:23 66. The father of Salah was Arphaxad Gen 11:12 The father of Salah was Cainan Luke 3:35,36 67. There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David Matt 1:17 There were but thirteen generations from Abraham to David Matt 1:2-6 68. There were fourteen generations from the Babylonian captivity to Christ. Matt 1:17 There were but thirteen generations from the Babylonian captivity to Christ Matt 1:12-16 69. The infant Christ was taken into Egypt Matt 2:14,15,19,21,23 The infant Christ was not taken into Egypt Luke 2:22, 39 70. Christ was tempted in the wilderness Mark 1:12,13 Christ was not tempted in the wilderness John 2:1,2 71. Christ preached his first sermon on the mount Matt 5:1,2 Christ preached his first sermon on the plain Luke 6:17,20 72. John was in prison when Jesus went into Galilee Mark 1:14 John was not in prison when Jesus went into Galilee John 1:43/ John 3:22-24 73. Christ's disciples were commanded to go forth with a staff and sandals Mark 6:8,9 Christ's disciples were commanded to go forth with neither staffs nor sandals. Matt 10:9,10 74. A woman of Canaan besought Jesus Matt 15:22 It was a Greek woman who besought Him Mark 7:26 75. Two blind men besought Jesus Matt 20:30 Only one blind man besought Him Luke 18:35,38 76. Christ was crucified at the third hour Mark 15:25 Christ was not crucified until the sixth hour John 19:14,15 77. The two thieves reviled Christ. Matt 27:44/ Mark 15:32 Only one of the thieves reviled Christ Luke 23:39,40 78. Satan entered into Judas while at supper John 13:27 Satan entered into him before the supper Luke 22:3,4,7 79. Judas committed suicide by hanging Matt 27:5 Judas did not hang himself, but died another way Acts 1:18 80. The potter's field was purchased by Judas Acts 1:18 The potter's field was purchased by the Chief Priests Matt 27:6,7 81. There was but one woman who came to the sepulchre John 20:1 There were two women who came to the sepulchre Matt 28:1 82. There were three women who came to the sepulchre Mark 16:1 There were more than three women who came to the sepulchre Luke 24:10 83. It was at sunrise when they came to the sepulchre Mark 16:2 It was some time before sunrise when they came. John 20:1 84. There were two angels seen by the women at the sepulchre, and they were standing up. Luke 24:4 There was but one angel seen, and he was sitting down. Matt 28:2,5 85. There were two angels seen within the sepulchre. John 20:11,12 There was but one angel seen within the sepulchre Mark 16:5 86. Christ was to be three days and three nights in the grave Matt 12:40 Christ was but two days and two nights in the grave Mark 15:25,42,44,45,46; 16:9> 87. Holy ghost bestowed at pentecost Acts 1:8,5 Holy ghost bestowed before pentecost John 20:22 88. The disciples were commanded immediately after the resurrection to go into Galilee Matt 28:10 The disciples were commanded immediately after the resurrection to go tarry at Jerusalem Luke 24:49 89. Jesus first appeared to the eleven disciples in a room at Jerusalem Luke 24:33,36,37/ John 20:19 Jesus first appeared to the eleven on a mountain in Galilee Matt 28:16,17 121. Reward and punishment to be bestowed in this world
Prov 11:31 Reward and punishment to be bestowed in the next world Rev 20:12/ Matt 16:27/ 2 Cor 5:10 122. Annihilation the portion of all mankind Job 3: 11,13-17,19-22/ Eccl 9:5,10/ Eccl 3:19,20 Endless misery the portion of all mankind Matt 25:46/ Rev 20:10,15/ Rev 14:11/ Dan 12:2 123. The Earth is to be destroyed 2 Pet 3:10/ Heb 1:11/ Rev 20:11 The Earth is never to be destroyed Ps 104:5/ Eccl 1:4 124. No evil shall happen to the godly Prov 12:21/ 1 Pet 3:13 Evil does happen to the godly Heb 12:6/ Job 2:3,7 125. Worldly good and prosperity are the lot of the godly Prov 12:21/ Ps 37:28,32,33,37/ Ps 1:1,3/ Gen 39:2/ Job 42:12 Worldly misery and destitution the lot of the godly Heb 11:37,38/ Rev 7:14/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Luke 21:17 126. Worldly prosperity a reward of righteousness and a blessing Mark 10:29,30/ Ps 37:25/ Ps 112:1,3/ Job 22:23,24/ Prov 15:6 Worldly prosperity a curse and a bar to future reward Luke 6:20,24/ Matt 6:19,21/ Luke 16:22/ Matt 19:24/ Luke 6:24 127. The Christian yoke is easy Matt 11:28,29,30 The Christian yoke is not easy John 16:33/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Heb 12:6,8 128. The fruit of God's spirit is love and gentleness Gal 5:22 The fruit of God's spirit is vengeance and fury Judg 15:14/ 1 Sam 18:10,11 129. Longevity enjoyed by the wicked Job 21:7,8/ Ps 17:14/ Eccl 8:12/ Is 65:20 Longevity denied to the wicked Eccl 8:13/ Ps 55:23/ Prov 10:27/ Job 36:14/ Eccl 7:17 130. Poverty a blessing Luke 6:20,24/ Jams 2:5 Riches a blessing Prov 10:15/ Job 22:23,24/ Job 42:12 Neither poverty nor riches a blessing Prov 30:8,9 141. Moses was a very meek man
Num 12:3 Moses was a very cruel man Num 31:15,17 142. Elijah went up to heaven 2 Kings 2:11 None but Christ ever ascended into heaven John 3:13 |
31. Improvidence enjoyed
Matt 6:28,31,34/ Luke 6:30,35/ Luke 12:3 Improvidence condemned 1 Tim 5:8/ Prov 13:22 32. Anger approved Eph 4:26 Anger disapproved Eccl 7:9/ Prov 22:24/ James 1:20 33. Good works to be seen of men Matt 5:16 Good works not to be seen of men Matt 6:1 34. Judging of others forbidden Matt 7:1,2 Judging of others approved 1 Cor 6:2-4/ 1 Cor 5:12 35. Christ taught non-resistance Matt 5:39/ Matt 26:52 Christ taught and practiced physical resistance Luke 22:36/ John 2:15 36. Christ warned his followers not to fear being killed Luke 12:4 Christ himself avoided the Jews for fear of being killed John 7:1 37. Public prayer sanctioned 1 Kings 8:22,54, 9:3 Public prayer disapproved Matt 6:5,6 38. Importunity in prayer commended Luke 18:5,7 Importunity in prayer condemned Matt 6:7,8 39. The wearing of long hair by men sanctioned Judg 13:5/ Num 6:5 The wearing of long hair by men condemned 1 Cor 11:14 40. Circumcision instituted Gen 17:10 Circumcision condemned Gal 5:2 41. The Sabbath instituted Ex 20:8 The Sabbath repudiated Is 1:13/ Rom 14:5/ Col 2:16 42. The Sabbath instituted because God rested on the seventh day Ex 20:11 The Sabbath instituted because God brought the Israelites out of Egypt Deut 5:15 43. No work to be done on the Sabbath under penalty of death Ex 31:15/ Num 15:32,36 Jesus Christ broke the Sabbath and justified his disciples in the same John 5:16/ Matt 12:1-3,5 44. Baptism commanded Matt 28:19 Baptism not commanded 1 Cor 1:17,14 45. Every kind of animal allowed for food. Gen 9:3/ 1 Cor 10:25/ Rom 14:14 Certain kinds of animals prohibited for food. Deut 14:7,8 46. Taking of oaths sanctioned Num 30:2/ Gen 21:23-24,31/ Gen 31:53/ Heb 6:13 Taking of oaths forbidden Matt 5:34 47. Marriage approved Gen 2:18/ Gen 1:28/ Matt 19:5/ Heb 13:4 Marriage disapproved 1 Cor 7:1/ 1 Cor 7:7,8 48. Freedom of divorce permitted Deut 24:1/ Deut 21:10,11,14 Divorce restricted Matt 5:32 49. Adultery forbidden Ex 20:14/ Heb 13:4 Adultery allowed Num 31:18/ Hos 1:2; 2:1-3 50. Marriage or cohabitation with a sister denounced Deut 27:22/ Lev 20:17 Abraham married his sister and God blessed the union Gen 20:11,12/ Gen 17:16 51. A man may marry his brother's widow Deut 25:5 A man may not marry his brother's widow Lev 20:21 52. Hatred to kindred enjoined Luke 14:26 Hatred to kindred condemned Eph 6:2/ Eph 5:25,29 53. Intoxicating beverages recommended Prov 31:6,7/ 1 Tim 5:23/ Ps 104:15 Intoxicating beverages discountenanced Prov 20:1/ Prov 23:31,32 54. It is our duty to obey our rulers, who are God's ministers and punish evil doers only Rom 13:1-3,6 It is not our duty to obey rulers, who sometimes punish the good and receive unto themselves damnation therefor Ex 1:17,20/ Dan 3:16,18/ Dan 6:9,7,10/ Acts 4:26,27/ Mark 12:38,39,40/ Luke 23:11,24,33,35 55. Women's rights denied Gen 3:16/ 1 Tim 2:12/ 1 Cor 14:34/ 1 Pet 3:6 Women's rights affirmed Judg 4:4,14,15/ Judg 5:7/ Acts 2:18/ Acts 21:9 56. Obedience to masters enjoined Col 3:22,23/ 1 Pet 2:18 Obedience due to God only Matt 4:10/ 1 Cor 7:23/ Matt 23:10 57. There is an unpardonable sin Mark 3:29 There is not unpardonable sin Acts 13:39 58. Man was created after the other animals Gen 1:25,26,27 Man was created before the other animals Gen 2:18,19 59. Seed time and harvest were never to cease Gen 8:22 Seed time and harvest did cease for seven years Gen 41:54,56/ Gen 45:6 60. God hardened Pharaoh's heart Ex 4:21/ Ed 9:12 Pharaoh hardened his own heart Ex 8:15 90. Christ ascended from Mount Olivet
Acts 1:9,12 Christ ascended from Bethany Luke 24:50,51 91. Paul's attendants heard the miraculous voice, and stood speechless Acts 9:7 Paul's attendants heard not the voice and were prostrate Acts 26:14 92. Abraham departed to go into Canaan Gen 12:5 Abraham went not knowing where Heb 11:8 93. Abraham had two sons Gal 4:22 Abraham had but one son Heb 11:17 94. Keturah was Abraham's wife Gen 25:1 Keturah was Abraham's concubine 1 Chron 1:32 95. Abraham begat a son when he was a hundred years old, by the interposition of Providence Gen 21:2/ Rom 4:19/ Heb 11:12 Abraham begat six children more after he was a hundred years old without any interposition of providence Gen 25:1,2 96. Jacob bought a sepulchre from Hamor Josh 24:32 Abraham bought it of Hamor Acts 7:16 97. God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his seed forever Gen 13:14,15,17; 17:8 Abraham and his seed never received the promised land Acts 7:5/ Heb 11:9,13 98. Goliath was slain by Elhanan 2 Sam 21:19 *note, was changed in translation to be correct. Original manuscript was incorrect> The brother of Goliath was slain by Elhanan 1 Chron 20:5 99. Ahaziah began to reign in the twelfth year of Joram 2 Kings 8:25 Ahaziah began to reign in the eleventh year of Joram 2 Kings 9:29 100. Michal had no child 2 Sam 6:23 Michal had five children 2 Sam 21:8 101. David was tempted by the Lord to number Israel 2 Sam 24:1 David was tempted by Satan to number the people 1 Chron 21:1 102. The number of fighting men of Israel was 800,000; and of Judah 500,000 2 Sam 24:9 The number of fighting men of Israel was 1,100,000; and of Judah 470,000 1 Chron 21:5 103. David sinned in numbering the people 2 Sam 24:10 David never sinned, except in the matter of Uriah 1 Kings 15:5 104. One of the penalties of David's sin was seven years of famine. 2 Sam 24:13 It was not seven years, but three years of famine 1 Chron 21:11,12 105. David took seven hundred horsemen 2 Sam 8:4 David took seven thousand horsemen 1 Chron 18:4 106. David bought a threshing floor for fifty shekels of silver 2 Sam 24:24 David bought the threshing floor for six hundred shekels of gold 1 Chron 21:25 107. David's throne was to endure forever. Ps 89:35-37 David's throne was cast down Ps 89:44 108. Christ is equal with God John 10:30/ Phil 2:5 Christ is not equal with God John 14:28/ Matt 24:36 109. Jesus was all-powerful Matt 28:18/ John 3:35 Jesus was not all-powerful Mark 6:5 110. The law was superseded by the Christian dispensation Luke 16:16/ Eph 2:15/ Rom 7:6 The law was not superseded by the Christian dispensation Matt 5:17-19 111. Christ's mission was peace Luke 2:13,14 Christ's mission was not peace Matt 10:34 112. Christ received not testimony from man John 5:33,34 Christ did receive testimony from man John 15:27 113. Christ's witness of himself is true. John 8:18,14 Christ's witness of himself is not true. John 5:31 114. Christ laid down his life for his friends John 15:13/ John 10:11 Christ laid down his life for his enemies Rom 5:10 115. It was lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death John 19:7 It was not lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death John 18:31 116. Children are punished for the sins of the parents Ex 20:5 Children are not punished for the sins of the parents Ezek 18:20 117. Man is justified by faith alone Rom 3:20/ Gal 2:16/ Gal 3:11,12/ Rom 4:2 Man is not justified by faith alone James 2:21,24/ Rom 2:13 118. It is impossible to fall from grace John 10:28/ Rom 8:38,39 It is possible to fall from grace Ezek 18:24/ Heb 6:4-6, 2 Pet 2:20,21 119. No man is without sin 1 Kings 8:46/ Prov 20:9/ Eccl 7:20/ Rom 3:10 Christians are sinless 1 John 3: 9,6,8 120. There is to be a resurrection of the dead 1 Cor 15:52/ Rev 20:12,13/ Luke 20:37/ 1 Cor 15:16 There is to be no resurrection of the dead Job 7:9/ Eccl 9:5/ Is 26:14 131. Wisdom a source of enjoyment
Prov 3:13,17 Wisdom a source of vexation, grief and sorrow Eccl 1:17,18 132. A good name is a blessing Eccl 7:1/ Prov 22:1 A good name is a curse Luke 6:26 133. Laughter commended Eccl 3:1,4/ Eccl 8:15 Laughter condemned Luke 6:25/ Eccl 7:3,4 134. The rod of correction a remedy for foolishness Prov 22:15 There is no remedy for foolishness Prov 27:22 135. A fool should be answered according to his folly Prov 26:5 A fool should not be answered according to his folly Prov 26:4 136. Temptation to be desired James 1:2 Temptation not to be desired Matt 6:13 137. Prophecy is sure 2 Pet 1:19 Prophecy is not sure Jer 18:7-10 138. Man's life was to be one hundred and twenty years Gen 6:3/ Ps 90:10 Man's life is but seventy years Ps 90:10 139. The fear of man was to be upon every beast Gen 9:2 The fear of man is not upon the lion Prov 30:30 140. Miracles a proof of divine mission Matt 11:2-5/ John 3:2/ Ex 14:31 Miracles not a proof of divine mission Ex 7:10-12/ Deut 13:1-3/ Luke 11:19 143. All scripture is inspired
2 Tim 3:16 Some scripture is not inspired 1 Cor 7:6/ 1 Cor 7:12/ 2 Cor 11:17 |
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