Contradiction with Exodus 20:3
This verse commands having no other gods before the Lord, contradicting the worship of other deities found in 2 Kings 23:5.
Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Contradiction with Exodus 20:5
Prohibits bowing down to or serving other gods, which contradicts the presence of idolatrous priests in 2 Kings 23:5.
Exodus 20:5: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 4:19
Warns against worshiping celestial bodies, contrasting the worship of the sun, moon, and stars mentioned in 2 Kings 23:5.
Deuteronomy 4:19: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. [divided: or, imparted]
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 17:3
Specifically forbids serving or worshiping the sun, moon, or any heavenly host, contradicting the practices in 2 Kings 23:5.
Deuteronomy 17:3: And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
Contradiction with Jeremiah 7:9
Condemns idolatry as mentioned among the activities in 2 Kings 23:5.
Jeremiah 7:9: Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
Contradiction with Psalm 81:9
States there should be no strange god among Israelites, contradicting practices addressed in 2 Kings 23:5.
Psalm 81:9: There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
Contradiction with Isaiah 44:8-9
Speaks against idols and false gods, which the reforms in 2 Kings 23:5 also sought to dismantle.
Isaiah 44:8-9: Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any]. [God; I: Heb. rock, etc]
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in 2 Kings 23:5 could be related to the references to astrology and celestial bodies such as the sun and moon, which in ancient times were often associated with gods or spiritual practices. From a modern scientific perspective, these celestial bodies are understood in terms of astronomy rather than being deities or having spiritual significance. This shift from spiritual to scientific understanding could be seen as a point of inconsistency with contemporary science, which does not support the idea of celestial entities having divine power.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or conflict in this verse might arise from the idea of religious exclusivity versus religious freedom. The verse discusses actions taken to abolish worship practices dedicated to other deities. This could be seen as conflicting with the concept of allowing individuals the freedom to choose and practice their own religious beliefs.