Contradictions and Paradoxes in Genesis 14:14

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Genesis 14:14 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Genesis 14:14. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, Abram found out that someone in his family was in trouble and taken by bad people. So, he got his helpers, who were like a big team living with him, ready to go on a rescue mission to help his family.

Genesis 14:14: And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan. [armed: or, led forth] [trained: or, instructed]

Contradiction with Exodus 20:13

Contradicts the act of pursuing and potentially harming others, as implied in gathering an army.

Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.

Contradiction with Matthew 5:44

Encourages love for enemies, conflicting with the pursuit of them by armed force.

Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Contradiction with Romans 12:19

Advises against taking vengeance, contrasting the pursuit to rescue Lot.

Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Contradiction with Proverbs 20:3

Promotes avoiding strife, opposing the act of assembling an army for battle.

Proverbs 20:3: [It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Contradiction with James 1:20

States that human anger does not produce righteousness, contradicting military pursuit actions.

James 1:20: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Paradox #1

Some scholars point out that in Genesis 14:14, the reference to "Dan" is seen as an inconsistency. This is because the city of Dan was not named until the time of the Judges, which is later than the time of Abraham. This could suggest that the verse was written or edited at a later date.

Paradox #2

The main conflict with Genesis 14:14 is historical and archaeological. The verse mentions "Dan" as a location. However, "Dan" as a place likely did not exist by that name during the time the events are described to have occurred. The city was later named Dan after the Israelite tribe settled there, which would have been much later than the events in Genesis. This suggests a potential anachronism, where the text refers to a place by a name it received only later, presenting an inconsistency with the historical timeline.

Paradox #3

Genesis 14:14 mentions that Abram led 318 trained men born in his household to rescue his nephew Lot. The contradiction might arise from questioning how Abram's household could have produced such a large number of trained men, considering that households at that time were not typically described in such size or capacity in earlier chapters. This could lead to questions about the plausibility of the numbers given, though interpretations vary.

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