Contradiction with Genesis 1:31
God saw everything He made, and it was very good, suggesting creation should not result in destruction or violence.
Genesis 1:31: And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. [And the evening...: Heb. And the evening was, and the morning was etc.]
Contradiction with Isaiah 2:4
Nations shall not lift sword against nation, contrasting the violence and destruction mentioned in Habakkuk 2:17.
Isaiah 2:4: And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. [pruninghooks: or, scythes]
Contradiction with Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, promoting peace over violence, in contrast to the devastation described in Habakkuk 2:17.
Matthew 5:9: Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Contradiction with Romans 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil, advising against revenge, which contrasts with the retaliatory violence in Habakkuk 2:17.
Romans 12:17: Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Contradiction with Isaiah 11:6-9
Description of peace and harmony in God's kingdom, contradicting the destruction and bloodshed in Habakkuk 2:17.
Isaiah 11:6-9: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Paradox #1
Habakkuk 2:17 could be seen as having a contradiction or conflict because it discusses divine judgment and punishment, which can seem harsh and inconsistent with other Bible teachings about God's mercy and love. Some readers might see tension between the severity of judgment described here and the more forgiving nature of God illustrated in other passages. However, others interpret these differences as showing the complexity of God's justice and mercy.
Paradox #2
The potential contradiction in Habakkuk 2:17 could lie in the difference between the consequences faced by nations for their wrongdoings and the concept of forgiveness. In the Bible, there are teachings about mercy and forgiveness, yet this verse speaks about justice and punishment for wrongdoing. This could seem inconsistent to some when trying to understand how both reward and retribution operate together in biblical teachings.