Contradictions and Paradoxes in Exodus 34:16

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Exodus 34:16 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Exodus 34:16. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, God is warning His people not to let their sons marry women from other groups who worship different gods because then their sons might start worshiping those gods too. This is like when a friend tries to get you to do something you're not supposed to–it's important to listen and stay true to what you know is right.

Exodus 34:16: And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 11:1-2

This verse describes King Solomon loving many foreign women, which directly led him away from God, in contradiction to the command of taking no such wives given in Exodus 34:16.

1 Kings 11:1-2: But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites; [together...: or, beside]

Contradiction with Ezra 10:11

This verse commands the Israelites to separate themselves from the foreign peoples and wives, a stark contrast to the intermarrying seen in Exodus 34:16.

Ezra 10:11: Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

Contradiction with Numbers 25:1-3

These verses depict the Israelites engaging in relationships with Moabite women, leading them to idol worship, which contradicts the prohibition seen in Exodus 34:16.

Numbers 25:1-3: And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

Paradox #1

There might be a perceived contradiction in Exodus 34:16 concerning the command against intermarriage with other nations due to different spiritual and religious practices. This conflicts with other biblical instances where intermarriage occurs without negative consequences or is even positively portrayed, such as the story of Ruth. Some see this as inconsistent with the idea of inclusivity and the universality of God's love.

Paradox #2

Exodus 34:16 might be seen as conflicting with the broader biblical theme of staying true to one's faith and avoiding influences that could lead to idolatry or turning away from God. This verse involves marrying people from different religious backgrounds, which could lead to adopting their practices and beliefs. The contradiction arises in balancing love and relationships with maintaining religious integrity.

Paradox #3

Exodus 34:16 talks about the Israelites not marrying people from other nations to avoid being led to worship other gods. The potential contradiction is that there are other parts of the Bible, like in the book of Ruth, where there are positive stories about intermarriage with non-Israelites. This can seem inconsistent with the warning in Exodus.

Paradox #4

This verse could be seen as conflicting with the idea of cultural and religious tolerance. It advises against intermarrying with people of different beliefs to prevent being led away from one's own faith. This can be seen as promoting exclusion rather than understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and beliefs.

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