Contradiction with Exodus 20:3
Deuteronomy 12:30 warns against following other gods, whereas Exodus 20:3 clearly commands not to have other gods, reinforcing the prohibition.
Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 11:4
Deuteronomy 12:30 advises against adopting other gods’ practices; however, Solomon's heart turned after other gods, contradicting the prohibition.
1 Kings 11:4: For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father.
Contradiction with Judges 2:12
Contradicts by showing Israel repeatedly forsaking God for other gods, which Deuteronomy 12:30 warns against.
Judges 2:12: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 7:9
Contradicts by describing Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness (stealing, murdering, committing adultery), similar to adopting other deities' customs that Deuteronomy 12:30 warns against.
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 2 Kings 17:12
Israel is described as serving idols despite the similar injunctions in Deuteronomy 12:30, directly contradicting its warning.
2 Kings 17:12: For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 11:10
Contradicts as it highlights Israel's breach of covenant through pursuit of other gods, warned against in Deuteronomy 12:30.
Jeremiah 11:10: They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 33:9
Manasseh led Judah astray contrary to the warnings of Deuteronomy 12:30 by following foreign detestable practices.
2 Chronicles 33:9: So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, [and] to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
Paradox #1
The verse warns against adopting the religious practices of other nations, which might seem inconsistent with the idea of cultural understanding and openness promoted in other parts of the Bible. While some passages encourage learning from others, this verse emphasizes strict separation, which could create a tension between exclusivity and inclusivity.
Paradox #2
Deuteronomy 12:30 advises against following the religious practices and gods of other nations. A potential doctrinal conflict could arise with the idea of religious freedom and respect for all beliefs. While this verse advocates for exclusive worship, some interpretations emphasize learning from and respecting diverse traditions, which might seem inconsistent with the verse's directive.
Paradox #3
Deuteronomy 12:30 advises against adopting the religious practices of other nations. A potential conflict or inconsistency arises when considering how parts of the Israelite culture, such as the Temple design and certain laws, may have been influenced by neighboring cultures. This raises questions about how strictly the Israelites adhered to this command in historical contexts.