Contradiction with Genesis 18:11-12
These verses describe Sarah as being old and past the age of childbearing, and she laughs at the prospect of having a child, which contrasts with the expression of faith in Hebrews 11:11.
Genesis 18:11-12: Now Abraham and Sarah [were] old [and] well stricken in age; [and] it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Contradiction with Genesis 17:17
Abraham laughs at the idea of having a child at his and Sarah's old age, reflecting skepticism rather than the faith highlighted in Hebrews 11:11.
Genesis 17:17: Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall [a child] be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
Contradiction with Genesis 16:1-2
Sarah suggests that Abraham have a child with Hagar due to her barrenness, which demonstrates a lack of faith contrary to the faith mentioned in Hebrews 11:11.
Genesis 16:1-2: Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar.
Contradiction with Genesis 18:15
Sarah denies laughing at the promise of a child due to fear, indicating doubt.
Genesis 18:15: Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Contradiction with Romans 4:19
Abraham, though old and with Sarah's womb seemingly "dead," does not waver in faith, showing a contrast in initial reactions and faith levels between him and Sarah's earlier doubt.
Romans 4:19: And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:
Paradox #1
Hebrews 11:11 could be seen as inconsistent because it credits Sarah with having faith to conceive, even though the Genesis account highlights her laughter and doubt when she first hears the promise of having a child in her old age. This might seem like a contradiction in her level of faith.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in this verse arises from the idea that a woman of advanced age could naturally conceive and bear a child, which goes against biological understanding. Typically, as women age, especially past menopause, their ability to conceive naturally diminishes significantly due to changes in reproductive physiology. This presents a conflict with established biological science.