Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20
This verse states that the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, contradicting Exodus 34:7, which mentions visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children.
Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:16
It specifies that every man shall be put to death for his own sin, opposing the generational punishment described in Exodus 34:7.
Deuteronomy 24:16: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 31:29-30
It talks about the end of the proverb where children suffer for their parents' sins, contrasting the concept in Exodus 34:7.
Jeremiah 31:29-30: In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
Paradox #1
Exodus 34:7 talks about how God forgives but also punishes future generations for the sins of their ancestors. Theological conflict arises when comparing this to passages like Ezekiel 18:20, which states that a person is responsible for their own sin and not punished for someone else's. This can seem contradictory because one verse speaks of inherited punishment, while the other emphasizes individual responsibility.
Paradox #2
The potential contradiction in this verse involves the idea of God forgiving sins but also punishing future generations for the sins of their ancestors. This can seem inconsistent with the concept of justice, as it raises questions about holding individuals accountable for actions they did not personally commit.
Paradox #3
The contradiction arises from the concept of individual responsibility for sin versus inherited guilt. Other parts of the Bible, like Ezekiel 18:20, emphasize that individuals are responsible for their own sins, not the sins of their parents. However, Exodus 34:7 suggests that consequences of sins can affect future generations, which conflicts with the idea of personal responsibility.
Paradox #4
Some people might see a moral or ethical conflict in the idea of children being punished for the actions of their parents. This goes against modern views on individual responsibility and justice, which emphasize that people should be accountable only for their own actions and not be held liable for what their ancestors did. So, it's more about ethical perspectives rather than a contradiction.
Paradox #5
The moral conflict in that verse could be seen in the idea of punishing children for the sins of their parents. This might seem unfair or inconsistent with the belief that individuals should only be accountable for their own actions.
Paradox #6
Exodus 34:7 mentions forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin but also punishing children for the sins of their parents up to the third and fourth generation. The contradiction lies in the simultaneous expression of forgiveness and ongoing punishment, which might seem inconsistent.