Contradiction with Isaiah 2:4
Isaiah 2:4 speaks of nations transforming weapons into farming tools and learning war no more, contradicting Isaiah 34:3's depiction of violence and bloodshed.
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 Psalm 46:9
Psalm 46:9 describes God making wars cease and breaking weapons, contradicting the imagery of slaughter and destruction in Isaiah 34:3.
Psalm 46:9: He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Contradiction with Hosea 2:18
Hosea 2:18 promises a covenant of peace with no more war, opposing the scene of carnage and conflict in Isaiah 34:3.
Hosea 2:18: And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and [with] the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
Contradiction with Micah 4:3
Micah 4:3 mirrors Isaiah 2:4, describing peace and disarmament, which contrasts with the gore and hostility of Isaiah 34:3.
Micah 4:3: And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. [pruninghooks: or, scythes]
Contradiction with Matthew 5:9
Matthew 5:9 blesses peacemakers, contrasting with the violent scene in Isaiah 34:3.
Matthew 5:9: Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Contradiction with Revelation 21:4
Revelation 21:4 speaks of a future with no death or sorrow, contradicting the gruesome imagery of bodies and blood in Isaiah 34:3.
Revelation 21:4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Paradox #1
Isaiah 34:3 describes scenes of intense violence and destruction. The contradiction that some might see here is that a loving and merciful God is depicted as delivering harsh punishment and wrath. This can seem inconsistent with messages of forgiveness and peace found elsewhere in the Bible.