Contradiction with Exodus 34:7
Describes God as visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, whereas Genesis 18:25 emphasizes God judging justly.
Exodus 34:7: Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
Contradiction with Isaiah 45:7
States that God creates evil, which contradicts Genesis 18:25's portrayal of God as a fair judge.
Isaiah 45:7: I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].
Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20
Emphasizes individual responsibility for sin, contradicting the collective judgment implied in some interpretations of Genesis 18:25.
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 Romans 9:18
Indicates that God has mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardens, which can contradict the sense of fairness in Genesis 18:25.
Romans 9:18: Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth.
Paradox #1
Genesis 18:25 raises potential theological questions about the nature of God's justice and mercy. Some people might see a conflict between God's willingness to spare an entire city if there are a few righteous people within it and other parts of the Bible where punishment is more collective. This verse suggests a compassionate and just approach, which might seem at odds with other passages where groups are punished despite the presence of some innocent individuals. This inconsistency can lead to questions about how God's justice works in different situations.
Paradox #2
The potential contradiction in Genesis 18:25 could relate to the justice and fairness of God. This verse might seem inconsistent with other parts of the Bible where God's actions don't appear just or where His judgments seem severe. People might question how a just God could allow or command events that appear unjust by human standards. This can create tension between God's nature as just and instances in the Bible where His actions are difficult to understand from a human perspective.
Paradox #3
One possible contradiction related to Genesis 18:25 involves the theme of divine justice. In this verse, Abraham questions whether God would destroy the righteous along with the wicked, suggesting that it would be unjust for God to do so. This idea of divine justice might seem inconsistent compared to other biblical passages where entire cities or populations are punished collectively, regardless of individual righteousness, which can challenge the understanding of consistent divine justice throughout the Bible.
Paradox #4
The contradiction could be that this verse questions the justice of punishing the innocent along with the guilty. It suggests a moral dilemma about whether it is fair or just for a higher power to treat the righteous and the wicked in the same manner. This raises questions about the nature of divine justice and fairness.