Contradiction with Exodus 8:18-19
These verses contradict Exodus 7:22 by showing that the magicians eventually could not replicate God's miracles, acknowledging God's power, unlike their earlier success.
Exodus 8:18-19: And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
Contradiction with 2 Timothy 3:8-9
This passage refers to the magicians' opposition to Moses, noting they are eventually exposed, indicating a limitation to their power versus God's.
2 Timothy 3:8-9: Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [reprobate: or, of no judgment]
Contradiction with Matthew 12:24-28
This passage contradicts Exodus 7:22 by emphasizing that true miraculous power belongs to God and His kingdom, unlike the deceptive signs performed by magicians.
Matthew 12:24-28: But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, This [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. [Beelzebub: Gr. Beelzebul]
Paradox #1
Some readers might point out a possible inconsistency between Exodus 7:22 and the overall narrative of the plagues in Exodus. In this verse, the magicians of Egypt replicate the plague of turning water into blood, which could raise questions about the uniqueness and supremacy of the miracles performed by God through Moses. If Egyptian magicians could also perform this miracle, it might seem like it lessens the impact or divine exclusivity of God’s actions. This could be seen as a contradiction to the idea that only God could perform such wonders to convince Pharaoh.
Paradox #2
The historical inconsistency related to Exodus 7:22 is that Egyptian magicians are said to replicate the miracle of turning water into blood. Some people find this puzzling because if all the water in Egypt had already been turned into blood by God's act, it's unclear how the magicians could find more water to perform the same feat. Additionally, this could conflict with the premise that miracles performed by God are unmatched and unique.
Paradox #3
Exodus 7:22 involves Egyptian magicians replicating a miracle performed by Moses and Aaron, specifically turning water into blood. A scientific conflict might arise because such a transformation contradicts natural laws and is not scientifically possible. Chemical reactions or illusions might be attempted as explanations, but the literal transformation of water into blood as described does not align with scientific understanding.
Paradox #4
One possible contradiction in Exodus 7:22 could be the use of magic or sorcery. While the Bible generally condemns magic and sorcery as wrong or evil, this verse shows Egyptian magicians using their own powers in response to God's miracles through Moses. This might seem inconsistent with the general biblical stance against such practices.