Contradictions and Paradoxes in Ezra 4:21

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Ezra 4:21 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Ezra 4:21. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the book of Ezra, some people in charge sent a message to stop others from building a city until they say it's okay to start again. They wanted to make sure everyone listened and waited for their next instruction.

Ezra 4:21: Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until [another] commandment shall be given from me. [Give...: Chaldee, Make a decree]

Contradiction with Nehemiah 2:6

Nehemiah receives written permission from the king to rebuild Jerusalem, contrasting the halt order.

Nehemiah 2:6: And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. [queen: Heb. wife]

Contradiction with Haggai 1:8

Encourages rebuilding the temple, contradicting the stop command in Ezra 4:21.

Haggai 1:8: Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.

Contradiction with Zechariah 8:9

Urges the leaders to be strong and continue building the temple, opposing Ezra’s decree.

Zechariah 8:9: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which [were] in the day [that] the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Contradiction with Ezra 6:14

States the elders prospered through prophesying and built successfully, conflicting with the order in Ezra 4:21.

Ezra 6:14: And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished [it], according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. [commandment: Chaldee, decree]

Contradiction with Isaiah 44:28

Proclaims Cyrus will decree the rebuilding of Jerusalem, contrary to halting it as ordered in Ezra.

Isaiah 44:28: That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Paradox #1

Ezra 4:21 might be seen as having a moral conflict because it involves a command to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem, which can be viewed as obstructing a community's efforts to restore their city and culture. This action conflicts with the biblical themes of justice, restoration, and supporting one's own community.

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