Contradictions and Paradoxes in Isaiah 40:20

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Isaiah 40:20 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Isaiah 40:20. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Isaiah, people who are too poor to give a special gift to God look for strong wood that won't rot. They ask a skilled worker to make a statue that will stand firm and not fall over.

Isaiah 40:20: He that [is] so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree [that] will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, [that] shall not be moved. [is so...: Heb. is poor of oblation]

Contradiction with Exodus 20:4

This verse commands not to make any graven image or likeness of anything, contradicting the act of making a graven image described in Isaiah 40:20.

Exodus 20:4: 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 Deuteronomy 27:15

It declares a curse upon anyone who makes a graven image, contradicting the process of creating one as mentioned in Isaiah 40:20.

Deuteronomy 27:15: Cursed [be] the man that maketh [any] graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth [it] in [a] secret [place]. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Contradiction with Psalm 97:7

This verse shames those who worship images, in contrast to the act of making an image described in Isaiah 40:20.

Psalm 97:7: Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all [ye] gods.

Contradiction with Jeremiah 10:3-4

Criticizes idol creation and decoration, in contradiction with the detailed process of making a graven image in Isaiah 40:20.

Jeremiah 10:3-4: 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 Habakkuk 2:18

Questions the value of a graven image and calls it a teacher of lies, opposing the constructive imagery in Isaiah 40:20.

Habakkuk 2:18: What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? [maker of...: Heb. fashioner of his fashion]
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