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Apparent Biblical Contradictions

There are a number of scriptures that appear to contradict other statements in God’s word, and these apparent contradictions are often used by those who wish to discredit God by making the Bible appear unreliable. In reality, there are various reasons for apparent contradictions and these will be examined in this section of the website. It will be seen that any contradiction can be solved with a correct understanding of God’s nature, His plan of salvation for all who have sinned, and a humble, respectful attitude toward Almighty God. However, if the approach is to discredit God, those engaged in such an exercise will never come to a correct understanding of His truth. Some keys to correctly understanding apparent contradictions in scripture are as follows:

1)    When the word “God” is used, which member of the heavenly host is being referred to? There are many gods (divine, created spirit-beings), but only One True God who was never created and has always existed. All other gods were created, including the one known as Jesus Christ (Ex. 18:11; Dt. 10:17; Josh. 22:22; 1Chr. 16:25; 2Chr. 2:5; Ps. 96:4; 136:2; Isa. 42:5-9; Dan. 2:47; 11:36; Mal. 2:10; Jn. 10:35-36; 17:3; 1Tim. 2:5; 6:16).

2)    When descriptive words are used, are they meant literally or figuratively?

God’s word is replete with figurative and symbolic language as well as literal statements, but if the reader is unable to distinguish the difference, the real meaning will be hidden (see: Symbolism section of this website).

3)    Some scriptures include the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the writers and therefore should not be considered as commandments from God but are still helpful in living a godly life (1Cor. 7:6; 2Cor. 11:17; 2Tim. 3:16). When witnessing events such as those involving Christ’s life and ministry, the original writers commented on different aspects of the same events. Therefore, the details varied even though the main lessons were maintained.

4)    Because the Bible has been translated into different versions at different times in history, the translators have sometimes added or changed certain sections of scripture to reflect their particular beliefs. This can create problems for the reader and more comprehensive research is often required to come to an accurate understanding of what God originally intended (Isa. 28:10-13; 2Tim. 2:15).

5)    The context in which a teaching is given must be correctly understood. If the reader already has a misunderstanding or a bias regarding a Biblical subject, there is a higher likelihood that the context will also be misunderstood or ignored in an attempt to support a particular theory or doctrine. For instance, many of Paul’s writings are misapplied because readers assume that Paul taught against keeping God’s law and commandments, when in reality the context was usually referring to a change regarding the Levitical priesthood or some aspect of the animal sacrificial system (Heb. 7:12; 2Pet. 3:15-16).

6)    Depending on the circumstances at the time, God can extend mercy or He can temporarily withhold His mercy. If He chooses to withhold or postpone His mercy, He is entitled to do so without being accused of contradicting Himself. This principle is explained in many scriptures but is ignored by those who wish to discredit God (Ecc. 3:1-8; Isa. 45:9-13; Jer. 18:1-11; Rom. 9:14-24).

7)    God’s wisdom is required to correctly understand many apparent contradictions in scripture, but God does not give His wisdom to those who wish to live contrary to His law and commandments. Therefore, without repentance of sin and living in newness of life (cf. Rom. 6:4), the majority of mankind will misunderstand God’s word and never come to a correct understanding of apparent Biblical contradictions (cf. Dt. 4:5-9; Job 28:28; Mt. 13:10-15; Mk. 4:10-12; Lk. 8:9-10; Jn. 12:37-40; Ac. 2:38; 5:32b; Eph. 4:17-19; 1Pet. 1:2),


The fear (proper respect) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and a good understanding have all those who do His commandments… (Ps. 111:10a; Ed. note in parenthesis; emphasis added).

A List of Apparent Biblical Contradictions:
God's Satisfaction with His Works
Is God Seen and Heard?
Does God Dwell in Light?
Does God Rest?
Does God Know The Heart?
Is The Sabbath To Be Observed?
Is God Everywhere?
God Is All Powerful
God Is Unchangeable
God Is Just and Impartial
God Is Not The Author of Evil
God Can Be Found by Those Who Seek Him
God Is Warlike
God Is Cruel
God's Anger Is Fierce
God Gives Freely
God Delights in Burnt Offerings, Sacrifices, and Holy Days
God Tempts Men
God Accepts Human Sacrifice
God Cannot Lie
God Destroys Wicked Men
God's Attributes Cannot Be Discovered
Robbery Is Commanded
Lying Is Approved and Sanctioned
Hatred of the Edomites is Sanctioned
Whoever Sheds Man's Blood Must Not Die
The Making Of Images Is Commanded
Killing Is Commanded
Improvidence Condemned
Good Works to Be Seen of Men
Slavery and Oppression Ordained
Angered Approved
Christ Taught Non-resistance
Judging Of Others Is Approved
Public Prayer Sanctioned
Christ Warned His Followers To Not Fear Being Killed
Importunity in Prayer Condemned
The Wearing of Long Hair By Men Sanctioned
Circumcision Instituted
Sabbath Instituted Because Israel Left Egypt
Jesus Broke The Sabbath
Taking of Oaths Forbidden
Marriage Disapproved
Freedom of Divorce Permitted
It Is Our Duty to Obey Our Rulers
Adultery Allowed
Marry Your Brother's Widow
Marry Your Sister
Hatred of Kindred Enjoined
Intoxicating Beverages Recommended
Women's Rights Affirmed
There Is An Unpardonable Sin
Obedience to Masters Enjoined
Seed Time and Harvest Were Never to Cease
God Hardened Pharaoh's Heart
All Horses In Egypt Did Not Die
Moses Feared Pharaoh
There Died In The Plague Twenty-Four Thousand
The Father Of Mary's Husband Was Heli
John The Baptist Was Elias
The Father of Salah Was Arphaxed
There Were Fourteen Generations From Abraham to David
The Infant Christ Was Taken Into Egypt
John Was In Prison When Jesus Went Into Galilee
Christ Preached His First Sermon On The Plain
Every Kind Of Animal Allowed For Food
Christ Was Crucified At the Third Hour
A Woman of Canaan Besought Jesus
Baptism Not Commanded
Two Blind Men Besought Jesus
Disciples Commanded to Go With A Staff and Sandals
There Is A Plurality of gods
The Two Thieves Reviled Christ
Two Women Who Came to the Sepulcher (Part 1)
More Than Three Women Came to the Sepulcher (Part 2)
Satan Entered Judas Before Supper
Judas Committed Suicide By Hanging
The Potter's Field Was Purchased by Judas
It Was Sunrise When They Came To The Sepulcher
There Were Two Angels In The Sepulcher
Christ Was But Two Days and Two Nights In The Grave
God's Holy Spirit Bestowed Before Pentecost
Jesus Appeared to the Eleven on a Mountain In Galilee
The Disciples Were Commanded To Go Tarry At Jerusalem
Christ Ascended from Bethany
Paul's Attendants Heard Not the Voice and Were Prostrate
Abraham Went Not Knowing Where
Abraham Had But One Son
Abraham, His Seed Never Received The Promised Land
Keturah Was Abraham's Concubine
Michal Had Five Children
David Was Tempted By Satan to Number the People
Fighting Men of Israel 1,100,000 and Judah 470,000
Ahaziah Began to Reign in the Eleventh Year of Joram
David Took Seven Thousand Horsemen
David Never Sinned, Except in the Matter of Uriah
It Was Not Seven Years, but Three Years Famine
David Bought the Threshing Floor for Six Hundred Shekels
David's Throne Was Cast Down
Christ Is Not Equal With God
Jesus Was Not All-Powerful
The Law Was Not Superseded by Christian Dispensation
Children Are Not Punished for the Sins of the Parents
It Was Not Lawful for the Jews to Put Christ to Death
Christ Laid Down His Life for His Enemies
Christ's Witness of Himself is Not True
Christ Did Receive Testimony from Man
Christ's Mission Was Not Peace
It Is Possible to Fall From Grace
Man Is Not Justified By Faith Alone
There Is To Be No Resurrection of the Dead
Christians Are Sinless
Reward and Punishment to Be Bestowed in the Next World
Endless Misery the Portion of All Mankind
Longevity Denied to the Wicked
Worldly Prosperity a Curse and a Bar to Future Reward
Worldly Misery and Destitution the Lot of the Godly
The Christian Yoke Is Not Easy
The Fruit of God's Spirit is Vengeance & Fury
There's Is No Remedy for Foolishness
Wisdom a Source of Vexation, Grief, and Sorrow
A Good Name Is A Curse
Laughter Condemned
Man's Life is But Seventy Years
The Fear of Man Is Not Upon the Lion
Temptation Not to Be Desired
Prophecy Is Not Sure
A Fool Should Not Be Answered According to His Folly
None but Christ Ever Ascended Into Heaven
Moses Was a Very Cruel Man
Miracles a Proof of Divine Mission
The Lord Repented of the Evil Which He Thought to Do
Where God Dwells
Some Scripture is Not Inspired
Do Not Resist an Evil Person, Turn Your Cheek
The Cloud Vanishes, He Does Not Return From the Grave
Concerning Burnt Offerings or Sacrifices
One Person Esteems One Day Above Another
Those That Chew the Cud or Have Cloven Hooves
Sojourn of the Children of Israel Was 430 Years
Sons Are Not Held Accountable for Sins of Their Fathers
And They Gave Him to Drink, Wine Mingled With Myrrh
Let Not Many of You Become Teachers
Three Days and Three Nights Contradiction
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