Contradictions and Paradoxes in Deuteronomy 4:42

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Deuteronomy 4:42 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Deuteronomy 4:42. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, who is believed to have written this book, God wanted to give a safe place for someone who accidentally hurt another person to run away to. This way, if they did not mean to do it and were not angry with the person before, they could stay safe and not get into trouble.

Deuteronomy 4:42: That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

Contradiction with Exodus 21:12

This verse states that anyone who smites a man so that he dies shall be put to death, not allowing for a distinction between intentional and unintentional killing as implied in Deuteronomy 4:42.

Exodus 21:12: He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

Contradiction with Numbers 35:16

This verse declares that if a person strikes another with an iron object and the person dies, they are considered a murderer and should be put to death, which contrasts with the refuge for unintentional killing.

Numbers 35:16: And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he [is] a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Contradiction with Leviticus 24:17

This verse asserts that anyone who kills any human shall surely be put to death, without making a provision for unintentional killing like the cities of refuge mentioned in Deuteronomy 4:42.

Leviticus 24:17: And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. [killeth...: Heb. smiteth the life of a man]

Contradiction with Genesis 9:6

This verse proclaims that "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed," presenting a general rule for shedding blood without an exception for unintentional acts, unlike the provision given in Deuteronomy 4:42.

Genesis 9:6: Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Paradox #1

The moral conflict could be in providing a place of refuge for someone who has killed another accidentally, which might seem to conflict with the idea of justice for the victim and their family. Some might see this as unfair to the victim, as it prioritizes protection for the person who caused harm, albeit unintentionally.

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