Contradiction with Exodus 20:4-5
While Hosea 8:6 emphasizes the futility of idols made by men, Exodus 20:4-5 condemns idol-making by stating God's commandment against creating and worshipping any graven image.
Exodus 20:4-5: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
Contradiction with Isaiah 44:9-10
Hosea 8:6 speaks of the worthlessness of Samaria's calf idol, whereas Isaiah 44:9-10 declares all idol makers as vain, reinforcing the sinfulness rather than the worthlessness.
Isaiah 44:9-10: They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. [delectable: Heb. desirable]
Contradiction with Psalm 115:4-8
Hosea 8:6 highlights the specific idol of Samaria and its demise, in contrast, Psalm 115:4-8 gives a description of idols in general, highlighting their powerless nature.
Psalm 115:4-8: Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 10:3-5
In Hosea 8:6, the idol is explicitly cast off and described as a deception, whereas Jeremiah 10:3-5 describes the creation of idols and their worthlessness to highlight their inability to act.
Jeremiah 10:3-5: For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. [customs...: Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity]
Contradiction with 1 Kings 12:28-30
Hosea 8:6 denounces the calf idol of Samaria, whereas 1 Kings 12:28-30 shows the establishment of calves in Bethel and Dan as objects of worship, indicating a contradiction in human versus divine perspective on idols.
1 Kings 12:28-30: Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Paradox #1
Hosea 8:6 may present a contradiction because it criticizes idol worship, yet other parts of the Bible include instances where objects are made and used under God's direction, like the Ark of the Covenant or the bronze serpent. The inconsistency lies in the condemnation of crafted images for worship versus God-approved items used in religious practices.
Paradox #2
Hosea 8:6 criticizes idol-making, as it says idols are not divine and will be destroyed. A contradiction might be that the Bible often acknowledges the presence of other gods while affirming the belief in one true God. This might seem inconsistent to those who interpret the acknowledgment as a contradiction to monotheism, though within the Bible's context, it's more about emphasizing the futility and wrongness of idol worship.