Contradiction with Exodus 20:5
This verse suggests that God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, which seems to contradict the individual responsibility emphasized in Ezekiel 18:13.
Exodus 20:5: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:16
This verse, like Ezekiel 18:13, states that children should not be put to death for their fathers' sins, but it stands in contrast with Exodus 20:5 where children suffer for ancestral sins.
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 Lamentations 5:7
It suggests that the current generation suffers for the sins of their fathers, contradicting the notion of personal accountability in Ezekiel 18:13.
Lamentations 5:7: Our fathers have sinned, [and are] not; and we have borne their iniquities.
Paradox #1
Ezekiel 18:13 talks about the consequences of sin, specifically mentioning that a sinful person will die. A potential theological conflict may arise when comparing this idea with other parts of the Bible that emphasize forgiveness and repentance, such as the teachings of Jesus about mercy and salvation for sinners. Some might see a tension between the finality of punishment in Ezekiel and the possibility of redemption and forgiveness elsewhere.
Paradox #2
Ezekiel 18:13 talks about personal responsibility for sin, emphasizing that each individual is responsible for their own actions and will face consequences accordingly. A potential contradiction arises with earlier texts in the Bible, like Exodus 20:5, where it mentions God punishing children for the sins of their parents. This creates tension between the ideas of individual accountability and generational punishment.