Contradictions and Paradoxes in 2 Samuel 21:20

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 2 Samuel 21:20 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 2 Samuel 21:20. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 2 Samuel, this verse tells about a huge man who was very big and different because he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, making him special. Christians may see this story as showing that even big challenges can be faced with faith and bravery.

2 Samuel 21:20: And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of [great] stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. [the giant: or, Rapha]

Contradiction with Genesis 6:4

Describes that giants existed before the flood, not implying their existence post-flood like in 2 Samuel 21:20.

Genesis 6:4: There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.

Contradiction with Numbers 13:33

Implies giants were dwelling in Canaan, before the timeline described in 2 Samuel 21:20.

Numbers 13:33: And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, [which come] of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 3:11

States Og was the last of the giants, contradicting the presence of giants later in 2 Samuel 21:20.

Deuteronomy 3:11: For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead [was] a bedstead of iron; [is] it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits [was] the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

Contradiction with Joshua 11:21-22

Claims Joshua destroyed the Anakim giants, suggesting none should remain as seen in 2 Samuel 21:20.

Joshua 11:21-22: And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 17:4

Describes Goliath from Gath as a giant, implying individual giants existed but not multiple as suggested in 2 Samuel 21:20.

1 Samuel 17:4: And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height [was] six cubits and a span.

Paradox #1

There might be a contradiction regarding the physical description of the character mentioned in this verse. Having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot is an unusual genetic trait, and some might find it hard to believe or reconcile with other descriptions of people in the Bible. Additionally, there could be inconsistencies within historical or scientific understanding of such genetic conditions.

Paradox #2

One potential contradiction in that verse could be the description of a person having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. While it is possible for humans to have polydactyly, a condition where extra fingers or toes are present, having six on each hand and each foot is extremely rare. The depiction might seem more mythical or exaggerated, which could conflict with common biological exceptions.

Paradox #3

The contradiction in 2 Samuel 21:20 is that it describes a giant warrior who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, which totals to 24 digits. This may seem unusual or conflicting compared to the normal human anatomy of 20 digits. However, this detail could be interpreted as emphasizing the extraordinary nature of this warrior rather than a contradiction.

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