Contradictions and Paradoxes in Ezra 2:70

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Ezra 2:70 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Ezra 2:70. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Ezra, the people who work in the temple, like priests and singers, and other helpers, went back to live in their own towns, and everyone from Israel also returned to their towns. This means they all went back home to where they belonged and started living there again.

Ezra 2:70: So the priests, and the Levites, and [some] of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

Contradiction with Nehemiah 7:73

This verse lists different numbers and details about the leaders and people dwelling in their cities compared to Ezra 2:70.

Nehemiah 7:73: So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and [some] of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel [were] in their cities.

Contradiction with Nehemiah 11:1

It mentions the casting of lots to bring one of every ten to Jerusalem, thus indicating a different situation regarding dwelling in cities compared to Ezra 2:70.

Nehemiah 11:1: And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts [to dwell] in [other] cities.

Contradiction with Nehemiah 11:3

This verse provides a distinct list and roles of those who lived in Jerusalem that contrasts with the settlement description in Ezra 2:70.

Nehemiah 11:3: Now these [are] the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, [to wit], Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.

Paradox #1

Ezra 2:70 has a list of people returning from exile. The contradiction or inconsistency is that the numbers and names in this list are different from those in Nehemiah 7:73, which describes the same event. This raises questions about which account is more accurate.

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