Contradictions and Paradoxes in Exodus 31:18

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Exodus 31:18 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Exodus 31:18. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, God gave him two special stone tablets on Mount Sinai that had rules written by God's own hand for the people to follow. These tablets were meant to help people know how to live in a way that makes God happy.

Exodus 31:18: And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:1

Exodus 31:18 says the commandments were given by God's finger, while Exodus 20:1 emphasizes God spoke all these words, implying verbal instruction.

Exodus 20:1: And God spake all these words, saying,

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 5:22

This verse indicates that the commandments were spoken by God and written by him, aligning with Exodus 31:18 but can raise questions on the nature of delivery.

Deuteronomy 5:22: These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 9:10

States the tablets were written with the finger of God and mentions the words spoken by God, echoing the same divine origin yet hinting at both spoken and written methods.

Deuteronomy 9:10: And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them [was written] according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.

Contradiction with Exodus 34:27-28

Contradicts by stating that Moses was instructed to write down the words of the covenant, implying human involvement in writing.

Exodus 34:27-28: And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

Contradiction with Exodus 32:16

Asserts the tablets were the work of God and writing his own, but given the context of being broken and rewritten by Moses, it suggests human intervention alongside divine action.

Exodus 32:16: And the tables [were] the work of God, and the writing [was] the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

Paradox #1

One possible contradiction related to this verse involves the concept of God directly giving written commandments to Moses. While Exodus describes the commandments as being written "with the finger of God," other parts of the Bible suggest human involvement in their creation and transmission. This creates a tension between divine authorship and human mediation in the biblical narrative.

← Exodus 31:17
Share
Exodus 32:1 →
Disclaimer: The content provided at PolarBible.com is for educational purposes only. Readers have the full right to agree or disagree with the interpretations and conclusions presented. We take no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken based on the information shared as Polar Verses.