Contradictions and Paradoxes in Genesis 34:21

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Genesis 34:21 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Genesis 34:21. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, the people in the story say that the new visitors are friendly and they want to let them live in their land, trade with them, and marry each other’s daughters. The message is about sharing and living peacefully with others.

Genesis 34:21: These men [are] peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.

Contradiction with Genesis 34:30

Jacob was concerned that his sons' actions would cause trouble with the inhabitants of the land, fearing they would be destroyed, contradicting the idea of dwelling in peace.

Genesis 34:30: And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I [being] few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

Contradiction with Exodus 23:32

God's command not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the land contradicts the notion of making peaceful agreements and living together.

Exodus 23:32: Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.

Contradiction with 2 Corinthians 6:14

Advises against being unequally yoked with unbelievers, contradicting the concept of intermingling and making peace with other nations as suggested in Genesis 34:21.

2 Corinthians 6:14: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 7:2

God instructs the Israelites to smite and utterly destroy the nations, directly contradicting living in peace and trade as suggested in Genesis 34:21.

Deuteronomy 7:2: And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Contradiction with Joshua 23:12-13

Warns that intermarrying with other nations will lead to entanglements and snares, opposing the message of peace and unity in Genesis 34:21.

Joshua 23:12-13: Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

Contradiction with Nehemiah 13:25-26

Condemns Israelites for marrying foreign women, which opposes the idea of peacefully cohabiting and intermingling suggested in Genesis 34:21.

Nehemiah 13:25-26: And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. [cursed: or, reviled]

Paradox #1

The contradiction in that context is related to the depiction of peaceful interactions and agreements between groups while other parts of Genesis suggest ongoing tensions or conflicts between these same groups. This could be seen as inconsistent with other narratives in Genesis where relations are more strained.

Paradox #2

Genesis 34:21 involves characters who speak of living in peace and sharing the land, but the broader story reveals deceit and violent plans. The contradiction lies in the difference between their talk of friendship and their actual intentions, which involve betrayal and conflict.

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