Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 6:5

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 6:5 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 6:5. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the writer of 1 Samuel, the people were told to make models of the sores and mice that were causing trouble to say sorry to God. By doing this, they hoped God would stop the bad things happening to them and their land.

1 Samuel 6:5: Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 4:15-16

This verse warns against making graven images, which contradicts the creation of golden images mentioned in 1 Samuel 6:5.

Deuteronomy 4:15-16: Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day [that] the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:

Contradiction with Exodus 20:4

The commandment explicitly prohibits making any graven image, conflicting with the directive to make golden images in 1 Samuel 6:5.

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

It forbids making idols or graven images, which contrasts with the instruction to craft golden mice and tumors in 1 Samuel 6:5.

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 Isaiah 42:8

God asserts He will not give His glory to graven images, juxtaposing the situation in 1 Samuel 6:5 where images are used to glorify God.

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 Acts 17:29

This verse argues against thinking of the divine as similar to gold or silver art, opposing the making of golden images as a form of appeasement in 1 Samuel 6:5.

Acts 17:29: Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Paradox #1

The contradiction in 1 Samuel 6:5 might involve the use of golden images and offerings to appease God, which could conflict with the general biblical theme against idolatry and the making of graven images. It raises questions about the consistency of practices that are otherwise discouraged or forbidden.

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