Contradiction with Genesis 23:17-18
Acts 7:16 states that Jacob bought a tomb from the sons of Emmor, but Genesis 23:17-18 records that Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite.
Genesis 23:17-18: And the field of Ephron, which [was] in Machpelah, which [was] before Mamre, the field, and the cave which [was] therein, and all the trees that [were] in the field, that [were] in all the borders round about, were made sure
Contradiction with Genesis 50:13
Acts 7:16 implies Jacob was buried in Sychem, but Genesis 50:13 states that he was buried in the cave of the field of Machpelah.
Genesis 50:13: For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.
Paradox #1
Acts 7:16 might seem to have a contradiction because it mentions that the bodies of the patriarchs were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham bought. However, in Genesis, it is recorded that Abraham bought a cave in Hebron, not Shechem. Additionally, the tomb in Shechem was bought by Jacob, not Abraham. This inconsistency in details might cause confusion about who bought the burial site and its location.
Paradox #2
The potential contradiction in Acts 7:16 is related to the burial location of the patriarchs. It seems to conflict with earlier passages in the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically in Genesis and Joshua, about where these patriarchs were buried. In Genesis and Joshua, there are different accounts about who bought the burial site and where they were laid to rest, leading to some confusion and inconsistency between the two versions.
Paradox #3
Acts 7:16 presents a potential contradiction related to the burial places of Jacob and the patriarchs. In this verse, Stephen is describing their burial, but it seems to confuse the locations mentioned in Genesis and Joshua. The inconsistency lies in the identification of Shechem, which does not align neatly with other biblical accounts about burial sites belonging to Abraham's family, which are usually linked to the cave of Machpelah in Hebron. This can cause confusion about where exactly these important figures were buried according to different biblical texts.
Paradox #4
It is noted that Acts 7:16 mentions that the bodies of Jacob and the patriarchs were brought to Shechem and buried in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money. However, in Genesis, it is actually Jacob who bought a plot of land in Shechem. Abraham is said to have bought the cave of Machpelah near Hebron. This discrepancy can be considered an inconsistency in the biblical accounts of who bought the land and where the patriarchs are buried.
Paradox #5
The contradiction or inconsistency might relate to differing accounts regarding where the patriarchs were buried. In Acts 7:16, it mentions that they were brought back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought. However, according to other parts of the Bible, like Genesis 23:17-18, Abraham purchased a burial site in Hebron, not Shechem. This can create confusion about the location and the person who made the purchase, leading to what seems like an inconsistency in the text.