Contradiction with Psalm 106:37-38
These verses describe the Israelites sacrificing their children to idols, which aligns with the condemnation seen in Jeremiah 19:5, rather than contradicting it.
Psalm 106:37-38: Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 12:31
This verse condemns the abominations, including child sacrifice, which aligns with the message in Jeremiah 19:5, reinforcing the same prohibition rather than contradicting it.
Deuteronomy 12:31: Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. [to the: Heb. of the]
Paradox #1
The main contradiction in Jeremiah 19:5 arises from the condemnation of child sacrifice, which was practiced by neighboring cultures but is clearly prohibited in this verse. Some critics argue there is inconsistency because other parts of the Bible depict God commanding the destruction of entire populations, including children, during conquests. This contrast can cause confusion about God's stance on the value of life and violence.
Paradox #2
Jeremiah 19:5 might raise questions about the consistency of God's character. In certain parts of the Bible, God condemns the act of child sacrifice and says it never entered His mind to command such a thing. However, there are other parts of the Bible, like the story of Abraham and Isaac, where God commands or tests followers with difficult tasks, which can seem contradictory to His nature as described in Jeremiah 19:5. This may lead to confusion about God's intentions and commands.
Paradox #3
Jeremiah 19:5 refers to people sacrificing their children by fire, a practice not commanded by God. The contradiction lies in other biblical passages where child sacrifice is described as being commanded by God, such as in the story of Abraham and Isaac. This creates a conflict over whether such acts were ever truly required or justified by God.
Paradox #4
The contradiction in Jeremiah 19:5 might arise from the denouncement of a practice that was previously mentioned as existing in the region. It highlights the inconsistency between what is considered acceptable or unacceptable by societal standards at different times, and how certain actions might be condemned despite their prior prevalence or acceptance. It could be seen as conflicting with the idea of unwavering divine laws if practices change in acceptability over time.