Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 6:4

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 6:4 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 6:4. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, the Philistines wanted to apologize to God for doing something wrong, so they asked how to make it right. They decided to give Him five golden shapes of mice and sores, one for each of their leaders, because everyone in their land was affected by a sickness.

1 Samuel 6:4: Then said they, What [shall be] the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, [according to] the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague [was] on you all, and on your lords. [you: Heb. them]

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 5:6-9

These verses describe the suffering inflicted by God on the Philistines with tumors as a punishment for taking the Ark, whereas 1 Samuel 6:4 discusses a guilt offering to stop this punishment, suggesting a different resolution method.

1 Samuel 5:6-9: But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, [even] Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:3-4

These verses command not to make graven images or have any gods before the Lord, contradicting 1 Samuel 6:4, where the Philistines make golden images as a guilt offering.

Exodus 20:3-4: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Contradiction with Leviticus 2:1-2

This describes a proper grain offering to the Lord, differing from 1 Samuel 6:4 where the offering consists of golden images rather than traditional offerings.

Leviticus 2:1-2: And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be [of] fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:

Contradiction with Isaiah 42:8

God states He will not give His glory to another, nor His praise to graven images, contradicting the concept of the Philistines using golden images in 1 Samuel 6:4 to appease God's wrath.

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 Deuteronomy 12:31

It condemns adopting the detestable practices of other nations, which contrasts with 1 Samuel 6:4 where the Philistines use their own cultural practice of creating images to appease God.

Deuteronomy 12:31: Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. [to the: Heb. of the]
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