Contradiction with 2 Samuel 21:19
This verse contradicts by implying that Israelites had some iron weapons, as it mentions Goliath's spear being comparable to a weaver's beam, suggesting they had access to advanced weaponry.
2 Samuel 21:19: And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew [the brother of] Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear [was] like a weaver's beam. [Jaareoregim: or, Jair]
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 27:5
This verse suggests Israelites were able to work with iron when it mentions making an altar of uncut stones and not lifting iron tools upon them, implying knowledge and access to iron tools.
Deuteronomy 27:5: And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up [any] iron [tool] upon them.
Contradiction with Joshua 17:16
It refers to Canaanites having iron chariots, implying a power dynamic issue, but it contradicts as the Israelites later face these chariots indicating survival and some level of military capability including possible iron use.
Joshua 17:16: And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, [both they] who [are] of Bethshean and her towns, and [they] who [are] of the valley of Jezreel.
Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 22:3
David is preparing iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates and for the joinings, indicating the Israelites did have access to iron despite the earlier claim they didn’t have smiths.
1 Chronicles 22:3: And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
Contradiction with Judges 4:3
Describes Sisera having nine hundred chariots of iron, indicating improbability of total Philistine domination over ironworking if neighboring regions had such technologies.
Judges 4:3: And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
Paradox #1
1 Samuel 13:19 mentions a situation where there were no blacksmiths in Israel to prevent the Hebrews from making weapons. The contradiction here could be that other parts of the Bible suggest the Israelites had the ability to produce weapons and tools at different times. This raises questions about how they managed their warfare and daily life if they truly lacked blacksmiths. The inconsistency lies in reconciling this verse with other accounts of Israelite society's technological capabilities.
Paradox #2
The verse suggests a lack of blacksmiths in Israel to prevent weapon-making. Historically, some scholars argue that a complete lack of blacksmiths is unlikely due to the need for various metal tools and farming equipment in any society, which could indicate a possible inconsistency with historical and archaeological evidence of metalwork in the region.