Contradictions and Paradoxes in Genesis 31:38

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Genesis 31:38 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Genesis 31:38. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, the person speaking has been living with someone for twenty years, and during that time, he took good care of the animals and made sure not to harm them. They had healthy babies, and he did not eat any of the sheep.

Genesis 31:38: This twenty years [have] I [been] with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

Contradiction with Exodus 12:40

States that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years, which contrasts with the 20 years Jacob mentions in Genesis 31:38 regarding his time under Laban.

Exodus 12:40: Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, [was] four hundred and thirty years.

Contradiction with Numbers 14:34

Describes a punishment of 40 years of wandering corresponding to 40 days, unlike the period Jacob worked for Laban.

Numbers 14:34: After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, [even] forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, [even] forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. [breach...: or, altering of my purpose]

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 2:7

Indicates that God was with the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness, differing from the care Jacob says he gave to Laban's flock.

Deuteronomy 2:7: For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God [hath been] with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 2:11

Mentions David's reign of 40 years, which contrasts in duration with Jacob’s 20-year service described in Genesis 31:38.

1 Kings 2:11: And the days that David reigned over Israel [were] forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

Contradiction with Acts 7:6

Refers to 400 years of oppression in a foreign land, which differs in nature and time span from Jacob's peaceful service to Laban.

Acts 7:6: And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat [them] evil four hundred years.
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