Deuteronomy 4:18 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to Moses, this verse tells people not to make statues or pictures of animals or fish to worship them, because God wants us to only worship Him. It's like when you make sure to listen to your parents and not anyone pretending to be them.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:4

This verse, similar to Deuteronomy 4:18, forbids making graven images, supportively aligning rather than contradicting.

Exodus 20:4: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:

Contradiction with Isaiah 44:9

This verse condemns idol makers as useless, aligning with the prohibition against images.

Isaiah 44:9: They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. [delectable: Heb. desirable]

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 5:8

Again similar in content to Deuteronomy 4:18, it forbids the making of any graven images.

Deuteronomy 5:8: Thou shalt not make thee [any] graven image, [or] any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters beneath the earth:

Contradiction with Psalm 97:7

This verse condemns idol worship, in agreement rather than contradiction.

Psalm 97:7: Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all [ye] gods.

Paradox #1

The contradiction in Deuteronomy 4:18 could relate to the prohibition of creating images or statues of living creatures. From a scientific perspective, there's no evidence suggesting that creating representations of animals or humans is harmful or wrong, as the verse might imply from a religious or ethical viewpoint. This could be seen as a conflict between religious beliefs and scientific or artistic expression.

Paradox #2