Contradictions and Paradoxes in Deuteronomy 2:9

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Deuteronomy 2:9 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Deuteronomy 2:9. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, God told him not to fight the Moabite people because He promised that land to Lot's family. God wanted Moses and his people to respect His promise and not take what was given to someone else.

Deuteronomy 2:9: And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land [for] a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot [for] a possession. [Distress...: or, Use no hostility against Moab]

Contradiction with Genesis 15:18-21

God promises Abraham the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates, including the land of the Moabites.

Genesis 15:18-21: In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 20:16-17

God commands the Israelites to utterly destroy several nations, which could include the Moabites, contradicting the instruction not to distress Moab.

Deuteronomy 20:16-17: But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

Contradiction with Numbers 21:34-35

God instructs Israel to oppose and conquer the Amorite king, similar to conquering Moab, which contradicts not engaging Moab in battle.

Numbers 21:34-35: And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

Contradiction with Joshua 3:10

Lists the nations God will drive out before Israel, although Moab is excluded, it's inconsistent with the absolute non-aggression towards them.

Joshua 3:10: And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God [is] among you, and [that] he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

Paradox #1

Deuteronomy 2:9 tells the Israelites not to disturb the Moabites because God gave them their land. A potential contradiction might be seen when considering other passages where God commands the Israelites to conquer other lands occupied by different people. This can appear inconsistent because it raises questions about why some groups were spared and others were not, despite all these lands being occupied by non-Israelites.

Paradox #2

The moral conflict in this verse might arise from the idea of divine favor and land allocation. It suggests that God grants specific lands to certain groups and denies others, which could be seen as unfair or unjust. This might conflict with modern views on equality and the fair distribution of resources.

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