Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 2:22

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 2:22 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 2:22. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book, the old man Eli heard about the bad things his sons were doing to the people, including being with women in a way they shouldn't have been near the special tent of meeting. This made Eli sad because his sons were not behaving well.

1 Samuel 2:22: Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. [assembled: Heb. assembled by troops]

Contradiction with Numbers 23:19

This verse states God does not lie or repent, which contrasts with human sinfulness depicted in 1 Samuel 2:22's setting of sin surrounding Eli's sons.

Numbers 23:19: God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20

Emphasizes individual responsibility for sin, differing from 1 Samuel 2:22 where the actions of Eli's sons affect the family's reputation.

Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 6:18

Advises fleeing fornication, highlighting a direct contrast to the sinful acts by Eli’s sons mentioned in 1 Samuel 2:22.

1 Corinthians 6:18: Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Contradiction with 1 Timothy 5:20

Urges rebuking sinners publicly to instill fear, differing from Eli's initial inaction towards his sons' sins as seen in 1 Samuel 2:22.

1 Timothy 5:20: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Contradiction with Genesis 39:9

Joseph's refusal of sin contrasts sharply with the behavior of Eli’s sons as described in 1 Samuel 2:22.

Genesis 39:9: [There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Paradox #1

1 Samuel 2:22 is about the misconduct of Eli's sons, who behaved improperly with women at the Tabernacle. Some see a contradiction because religious leaders are expected to be righteous and uphold God's law, but Eli's sons acted against these principles. The inconsistency lies in leaders not living according to the morals they teach.

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