Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Kings 12:28

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Kings 12:28 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Kings 12:28. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Kings, the king in the story decided to make two golden calf statues for the people to worship instead of going to a special city called Jerusalem. He told them that these golden animals were like gods who helped them a long time ago, even though they weren't really real.

1 Kings 12:28: Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:3

This verse commands that there should be no other gods before the Lord, contradicting the creation of alternate idols in 1 Kings 12:28.

Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:4

This verse prohibits making graven images, contrasting with the making of golden calves in 1 Kings 12:28.

Exodus 20:4: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:

Contradiction with Leviticus 26:1

This verse warns against making idols or standing images, which is in direct contrast to the actions in 1 Kings 12:28.

Leviticus 26:1: Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God. [standing...: or, pillar] [image of...: or, figured stone: Heb. a stone of picture]

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 5:8

This verse prohibits the creation of any images, which is contradicted by the making of calves in 1 Kings 12:28.

Deuteronomy 5:8: Thou shalt not make thee [any] graven image, [or] any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters beneath the earth:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 6:14

This verse warns against following other gods, contrasting with worship of calves in 1 Kings 12:28.

Deuteronomy 6:14: Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which [are] round about you;

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 32:21

This verse criticizes turning to idols, opposing the idolatry in 1 Kings 12:28.

Deuteronomy 32:21: They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

Contradiction with Isaiah 42:8

This verse indicates God will not share His glory with idols, contradicting Jeroboam's actions in 1 Kings 12:28.

Isaiah 42:8: I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Contradiction with Hosea 13:2

This verse condemns the making of idols, contrasting with the events in 1 Kings 12:28.

Hosea 13:2: And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, [and] idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. [they sin...: Heb. they add to sin] [the men...: or, the sacrificers of men]

Contradiction with Psalm 81:9

This verse instructs against worshipping strange gods, opposing the idol worship in 1 Kings 12:28.

Psalm 81:9: There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

Contradiction with 2 Kings 17:12

This verse condemns idolatry, which Jeroboam encouraged in 1 Kings 12:28.

2 Kings 17:12: For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.

Paradox #1

The conflict with 1 Kings 12:28 arises because it involves the making of golden calves for worship, which contradicts the commandment given to Moses in Exodus not to make or worship idols. This creates a theological inconsistency with the core belief in monotheism and the prohibition of idolatry in the Bible.

Paradox #2

The potential contradiction regarding 1 Kings 12:28 could be the worship of golden calves, which conflicts with the commandment against idolatry found in other parts of the Bible, such as the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-4. This inconsistency arises from promoting idol worship despite the clear prohibition against it in biblical teachings.

Paradox #3

1 Kings 12:28 talks about King Jeroboam making two golden calves for the Israelites to worship. A contradiction or conflict here is that this act opposes the earlier biblical commands against idolatry, especially because similar events (like the making of a golden calf in Exodus) were punished or condemned. This inconsistency highlights a tension in the narrative about the people's faithfulness and leadership choices.

Paradox #4

The verse mentions the creation of golden calves for religious worship. From a scientific viewpoint, this could be seen as conflicting because it describes the use of objects as divine or supernatural entities, which cannot be proven or tested scientifically. Science relies on evidence and testing, while religious beliefs involve faith beyond scientific explanation.

Paradox #5

1 Kings 12:28 describes how King Jeroboam made two golden calves for the Israelites to worship, leading them away from worshiping God in Jerusalem. The contradiction here is the promotion of idol worship, which goes against the core biblical teaching of worshiping only one God. This act conflicts with the commandment against idolatry, creating a tension between religious leadership and true adherence to faith.

Paradox #6

The contradiction or inconsistency could be related to the fact that setting up two golden calves for worship contradicts the unified worship of a single God in the Hebrew tradition. The worship location and method prescribed elsewhere in the scriptures do not align with this action.

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