Contradiction with Genesis 6:7
This verse declares God's intent to destroy all flesh, contradicting the notion of sparing cities.
Genesis 6:7: And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. [both...: Heb. from man unto beast]
Contradiction with Genesis 19:24-25
These verses describe the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, showing no sparing despite the presence of righteous individuals.
Genesis 19:24-25: Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
Contradiction with Numbers 16:32-33
These verses depict the earth swallowing Korah and his followers, contradicting sparing the wicked.
Numbers 16:32-33: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that [appertained] unto Korah, and all [their] goods.
Contradiction with Joshua 11:20
This verse shows God hardening hearts to destroy them, conflicting with sparing for righteous sake.
Joshua 11:20: For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 15:3
God commands the total destruction of Amalek, contradicting the sparing principle in Genesis 18:24.
1 Samuel 15:3: Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20
Emphasizes individual responsibility for sin, going against collective sparing found in Genesis 18:24.
Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Contradiction with 2 Peter 2:5
God did not spare the ancient world but saved Noah, a shift from sparing righteousness in a city context.
2 Peter 2:5: And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Paradox #1
The contradiction or conflict in Genesis 18:24 might involve the fairness or justice of sparing a city for the sake of a few righteous people. This could raise questions about collective punishment versus individual responsibility, as it suggests saving the entire city based on the presence of a few good individuals, which could seem unfair for the guilty ones who then avoid punishment.