Contradictions and Paradoxes in Exodus 9:18

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Exodus 9:18 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Exodus 9:18. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, God was going to make a terrible storm with hailstones in Egypt. It would be the worst storm anyone there had ever seen.

Exodus 9:18: Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

Contradiction with Genesis 8:21

After the flood, God promises not to curse the ground anymore for man's sake, unlike the plagues which continue to harm Egypt.

Genesis 8:21: And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. [a sweet...: Heb. a savour of rest or, satisfaction] [for the imagination: or, through the imagination]

Contradiction with Genesis 9:11

God establishes a covenant with Noah that a flood will not destroy the earth, which might seem contradictory when observing destructive natural events like hail.

Genesis 9:11: And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

Contradiction with Isaiah 54:9

As in the days of Noah, this verse speaks of God not being angry or rebuking forever, contrasting with the repeated plagues in Exodus.

Isaiah 54:9: For this [is as] the waters of Noah unto me: for [as] I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

Contradiction with James 1:13

God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone, which contrasts with the narrative of God hardening Pharaoh's heart to facilitate the plagues.

James 1:13: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: [evil: or, evils]

Paradox #1

Some scholars and historians point out that the Bible describes a severe hailstorm in Egypt around the time of the Exodus, an event not confirmed by Egyptian records. This discrepancy between biblical narratives and historical or archaeological evidence could be seen as an inconsistency or conflict regarding the occurrence of such natural disasters in Egyptian history.

Paradox #2

The contradiction is with the concept of weather. Historically, extreme weather like hail in ancient Egypt is rare because its climate is generally hot and dry, making the occurrence of severe hail as described unusual.

Paradox #3

Exodus 9:18 describes a situation where God warns of a severe hailstorm as a consequence for Pharaoh's refusal to free the Israelites. A potential contradiction here could be the suffering caused to people and animals who might not have had any control over the decision-making yet are affected by the disaster. This might seem inconsistent with the idea of a just and merciful God.

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