Contradiction with Exodus 12:39
This verse highlights that the Israelites left Egypt in haste, which contradicts Exodus 12:31, where Pharaoh commands them to leave immediately, suggesting urgency rather than a planned departure with detailed provisions.
Exodus 12:39: And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
Contradiction with Exodus 14:5
Pharaoh changes his mind and pursues the Israelites, contradicting his earlier command in Exodus 12:31 to let them go.
Exodus 14:5: And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
Contradiction with Exodus 13:17
God leads the Israelites on a longer route to avoid battle, contradicting Pharaoh's urgent demand in Exodus 12:31, which implies a more straightforward departure.
Exodus 13:17: And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not [through] the way of the land of the Philistines, although that [was] near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
Contradiction with Exodus 1:10
Earlier, the Egyptians feared the Israelites growing powerful, contradicting Pharaoh's sudden decision in Exodus 12:31 to let them go without resistance.
Exodus 1:10: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and [so] get them up out of the land.
Paradox #1
Exodus 12:31 describes Pharaoh finally allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt after the plagues, which may raise questions about the forced suffering endured beforehand. A moral inconsistency could be why the liberation required such drastic and painful measures, affecting innocent people, instead of being resolved more peacefully from the start.