Contradiction with Deuteronomy 15:7
In this verse, Israelites are encouraged to lend and not be hardhearted towards the poor, which contrasts with Genesis 47:23 where the Egyptians must give up their land and freedom due to famine rather than receive aid.
Deuteronomy 15:7: If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
Contradiction with Leviticus 25:23
Here, God commands that land must not be sold perpetually because it belongs to Him, differing from Genesis 47:23 where Joseph buys all Egyptian land for Pharaoh.
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
This verse emphasizes fairness and that rulers must not seize people’s property, in contrast to Genesis 47:23 where the people sell themselves and their land to 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 1 Kings 21:3
Naboth refuses to sell his ancestral inheritance, showing a respect for property rights, which is contrary to the selling of all land in Genesis 47:23.
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.
Contradiction with Proverbs 22:22-23
These verses emphasize not exploiting the poor because God will defend them, contrasting with the mass acquisition of land and servitude in Genesis 47:23.
Proverbs 22:22-23: Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
Contradiction with Exodus 22:25
God instructs against usury and undue hardship on the poor, differing from the situation in Genesis 47:23 where Egyptians are forced to sell their land and become servants.
Exodus 22:25: If thou lend money to [any of] my people [that is] poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
Paradox #1
Genesis 47:23 involves Joseph acquiring land for Pharaoh during a famine. Some might see a theological inconsistency in the idea of an Israelite helping to consolidate power for a foreign ruler, as it contrasts with the biblical theme of Israelites being separate and distinct from other nations. This action could be viewed as conflicting with later biblical emphasis on securing and maintaining the Promised Land for Israel.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or conflict in this verse could stem from the idea of fairness and exploitation. The verse describes a situation where people are required to give up a portion of their harvest after receiving seeds, which could be seen as a form of control or continued dependency. This may raise questions about the fairness of taking a significant portion of someone's labor and whether it exploits the needy, contrasting with other biblical themes of charity and justice.