Contradictions and Paradoxes in Deuteronomy 4:21

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Deuteronomy 4:21 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Deuteronomy 4:21. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, God was upset with him because of what the people did, so God said Moses couldn't enter the special land He promised to give them. Even though God gave the land to the people, Moses wasn’t allowed to go there.

Deuteronomy 4:21: Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance:

Contradiction with Numbers 14:30

Numbers 14:30 states that Caleb and Joshua will enter the land, whereas Deuteronomy 4:21 says Moses will not enter because of the people's actions.

Numbers 14:30: Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. [sware: Heb. lifted up my hand]

Contradiction with Psalm 106:32-33

These verses indicate the people's actions at Meribah angered Moses to the point he spoke rashly, yet Deuteronomy 4:21 implies God's anger was solely due to the people's wrongdoings.

Psalm 106:32-33: They angered [him] also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 1:37

Here, it suggests that God's anger with Moses was because of the people's fault, while in Deuteronomy 4:21, it personalizes the consequence specifically to Moses, even if attributed to the people.

Deuteronomy 1:37: Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.

Contradiction with Numbers 20:12

States that Moses will not enter the promised land due to his lack of belief and failure to uphold God as holy, seemingly contrary to the blame placed on the people's actions in Deuteronomy 4:21.

Numbers 20:12: And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Paradox #1

One potential contradiction could relate to God's justice. Some might find it inconsistent that Moses is punished by not being allowed to enter the Promised Land for a sin that involved the people's actions as well. This raises questions about collective versus individual responsibility and fairness in divine judgment.

Paradox #2

The contradiction in Deuteronomy 4:21 might arise from the idea of collective punishment, where one person suffers consequences for the actions of others. This can be seen as conflicting with the concept of individual responsibility, where people should only be accountable for their own actions. This contrast can pose ethical questions about justice and fairness.

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