Contradiction with Genesis 12:7
This verse says God promised the land to Abraham's descendants, not to Pharaoh.
Genesis 12:7: And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
Contradiction with Leviticus 25:23
This states the land shall not be sold permanently because it belongs to God, contradicting the permanent sale in Genesis 47:20.
Leviticus 25:23: The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land [is] mine; for ye [are] strangers and sojourners with me. [for ever: or, to be quite cut off: Heb. for cutting off]
Contradiction with Ezekiel 46:18
It prohibits rulers from taking land from people, in opposition to Joseph buying land for Pharaoh.
Ezekiel 46:18: Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; [but] he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession.
Contradiction with Psalm 24:1
Affirms that the earth belongs to the Lord, which conflicts with Pharaoh owning all the land.
Psalm 24:1: [A Psalm of David.] The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 21:3
Naboth refuses to sell his inheritance, which contrasts with the people selling their land in Genesis 47:20.
1 Kings 21:3: And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
Paradox #1
The contradiction could relate to the concepts of land ownership and fairness. In Genesis 47:20, Joseph buys all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh during a famine. This may seem inconsistent with the biblical teachings on justice and fair distribution of resources because the people are left without their land. Additionally, it could conflict with later biblical principles that emphasize returning land to original owners, as seen in the laws of Jubilee in Leviticus.
Paradox #2
Genesis 47:20 explains how Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh during a famine. A potential contradiction is that, historically, Egyptian land was mostly owned by temples and the Pharaoh, not by private individuals. This centralization of land to the Pharaoh contrasts with evidence suggesting that much of Egyptian land was already under centralized control.
Paradox #3
Genesis 47:20 describes a situation where people sold their land to the Pharaoh during a famine. The potential moral conflict here could be seen in how the concentration of land ownership into the hands of a single ruler might be viewed as unjust or exploitative, especially in desperate times. It raises questions about fairness and the balance of power in society, as well as the treatment of vulnerable populations in crisis situations.