Contradiction with Ezekiel 43:7
Ezekiel 43:9 calls for the removal of idols, whereas Ezekiel 43:7 describes God's desire to dwell among the Israelites forever, contrasting with the temporary toleration of idols mentioned in previous contexts.
Ezekiel 43:7: And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, [neither] they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 23:39
Ezekiel 43:9 demands the removal of idol worship, while Ezekiel 23:39 recounts the defilement of God's sanctuary with idols, illustrating ongoing idolatry.
Ezekiel 23:39: For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 11:7
Ezekiel 43:9 requires the end of idol worship, yet 1 Kings 11:7 describes Solomon building high places for idols, contradicting the removal of idolatrous practices.
1 Kings 11:7: Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that [is] before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 17:12
Ezekiel 43:9 insists on stopping idol worship, whereas 2 Kings 17:12 refers to the persistent worship of idols, demonstrating continued disobedience.
2 Kings 17:12: For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 7:30
Ezekiel 43:9 calls for purity and removal of idols, contrasting with Jeremiah 7:30 where the people set up idols in God's house.
Jeremiah 7:30: For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
Contradiction with Exodus 20:3
Ezekiel 43:9 emphasizes the removal of idols, while Exodus 20:3 commands having no other gods, highlighting that the Israelites had previously violated this and needed correction.
Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Contradiction with Judges 2:11-13
Ezekiel 43:9 demands abandonment of idols, opposing Judges 2:11-13 where Israelites repeatedly worshiped Baal and Ashtaroth, defying God's laws.
Judges 2:11-13: And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
Contradiction with Psalm 106:39
Ezekiel 43:9 requires cleansing from idol worship, as opposed to Psalm 106:39 which describes the corruption and defilement from idol practices.
Psalm 106:39: Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
Contradiction with Isaiah 2:8
Ezekiel 43:9 enjoins removal of idols, in contrast to Isaiah 2:8 where the land is filled with idols, indicating widespread idolatry.
Isaiah 2:8: Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:
Contradiction with Hosea 4:17
Ezekiel 43:9 opposes idolatry, while Hosea 4:17 shows Ephraim clinging to idols, reflecting a contradiction in behavior.
Hosea 4:17: Ephraim [is] joined to idols: let him alone.
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in Ezekiel 43:9 could stem from the tension between the demand for purity and the historical reality of the Israelites' practices. The verse calls for the removal of practices and objects that were considered detestable or idolatrous. The contradiction may arise from the fact that these practices were part of the cultural and religious life of many Israelites, leading to a conflict between traditional practices and the new standards of purity. This reflects a broader theme in religious texts where evolving moral standards clash with established cultural norms.