Contradictions and Paradoxes in Ezekiel 16:20

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Ezekiel 16:20 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Ezekiel 16:20. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Ezekiel, God is upset because the people have taken their children, who are special gifts from Him, and given them away to other gods. This makes God very sad and angry because it’s like forgetting how much He loves them.

Ezekiel 16:20: Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. [Is this] of thy whoredoms a small matter, [to be...: Heb. to devour]

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 12:31

This verse condemns the practice of burning children as sacrifices, which contradicts Ezekiel 16:20 where the practice is described without immediate condemnation.

Deuteronomy 12:31: Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. [to the: Heb. of the]

Contradiction with Jeremiah 7:31

This verse explicitly states that God did not command the sacrifice of children, which contradicts the implication in Ezekiel 16:20 of children being offered as sacrifices.

Jeremiah 7:31: And they have built the high places of Tophet, which [is] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded [them] not, neither came it into my heart. [came...: Heb. came it upon my heart]

Contradiction with Leviticus 18:21

This verse forbids giving children to Molech, which contradicts the actions described in Ezekiel 16:20 where children are sacrificed.

Leviticus 18:21: And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through [the fire] to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD. [Molech: Gr. Moloch]

Contradiction with Psalm 106:37-38

These verses condemn the practice of shedding innocent blood, contradicting the described offering of children in Ezekiel 16:20.

Psalm 106:37-38: Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,

Paradox #1

The verse in Ezekiel 16:20 can be seen as highlighting a contradiction between the practice it describes and the broader biblical teachings against child sacrifice. In other parts of the Bible, such as in the laws given in Deuteronomy and Leviticus, child sacrifice is explicitly condemned. The conflict arises if this verse is interpreted as describing an event or conduct that is in direct violation of those laws. However, the context usually clarifies that the practice is being criticized rather than endorsed, resolving the apparent contradiction.

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