Contradiction with Deuteronomy 12:2-3
These verses instruct the Israelites to destroy all the places where other nations worshipped their gods, contradicting 2 Kings 21:5, where altars for other gods were built in the house of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 12:2-3: Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: [possess: or, inherit]
Contradiction with Exodus 20:3
This verse commands not to have any gods before the Lord, which contradicts the practice of placing altars for other heavenly hosts in the house of the Lord as described in 2 Kings 21:5.
Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Contradiction with Leviticus 26:1
Prohibits the making of idols or setting up of sacred stones, which is in opposition to the establishment of altars for other deities within the Lord's house as depicted in 2 Kings 21:5.
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 Exodus 34:14
States that God is a jealous God and worship is due to Him alone, which is contradicted by setting up altars to other entities in the house of the Lord as mentioned in 2 Kings 21:5.
Exodus 34:14: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God:
Contradiction with 2 Kings 23:12
This verse describes King Josiah removing altars that had been built for other deities, showing a reversal of what was done in 2 Kings 21:5.
2 Kings 23:12: And the altars that [were] on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake [them] down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron. [brake...: or, ran from thence]
Contradiction with 1 Kings 8:60
Declares that the Lord is God and there is no other, contrasting with the actions in 2 Kings 21:5 where altars for other entities are established in His house.
1 Kings 8:60: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD [is] God, [and that there is] none else.
Paradox #1
2 Kings 21:5 could be seen as a contradiction or inconsistency in light of earlier biblical passages that strictly prohibit idol worship. The verse describes the construction of altars for celestial bodies in the temple, which opposes commands in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy that forbid idolatry and the worship of other gods. This reflects a conflict between some actions taken by the kings of Israel and Judah and the laws given to the Israelites.
Paradox #2
The contradiction might arise from the fact that this verse describes actions that are against earlier biblical teachings that prohibit idolatry. The inconsistency is that despite strong warnings against worshiping other gods, these actions are described in this context. This creates a conflict between the teachings on faithfulness to one God and the actions described.