Contradictions and Paradoxes in Jeremiah 23:13

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Jeremiah 23:13 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Jeremiah 23:13. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Jeremiah, God is upset because the prophets in Samaria made big mistakes by listening to and talking about a false god named Baal. This caused the people of Israel to go the wrong way and make bad choices.

Jeremiah 23:13: And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. [folly: or, an absurd thing: Heb. unsavoury]

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 18:20

This verse states that a prophet who speaks presumptuously in God's name should die, whereas Jeremiah 23:13 speaks of false prophets without indicating immediate judgment.

Deuteronomy 18:20: But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 18:21

Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal directly, suggesting immediate confrontation and resolution, unlike the ongoing deceit mentioned in Jeremiah 23:13.

1 Kings 18:21: And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word. [opinions: or, thoughts]

Contradiction with Ezekiel 13:3

Ezekiel declares that those who prophesy from their own hearts are foolish, while Jeremiah 23:13 describes false prophets misleading the people but does not label them as foolish directly.

Ezekiel 13:3: Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! [follow: Heb. walk after] [and...: or, and things which they have not seen]

Contradiction with Hosea 4:6

This verse emphasizes destruction due to lack of knowledge, which contrasts with Jeremiah 23:13 focusing on spiritual adultery and false visions as the main issues.

Hosea 4:6: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. [destroyed: Heb. cut off]

Contradiction with 2 Peter 2:1

This verse warns of false teachers who bring in destructive heresies, reflecting an eventual consequence, while Jeremiah 23:13 does not discuss the outcome of the false prophets' actions on themselves.

2 Peter 2:1: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Paradox #1

Jeremiah 23:13 criticizes prophets of Samaria, yet historically, at the time Jeremiah was active, prophets in Samaria would have been less relevant because the northern kingdom of Israel, where Samaria is located, had already fallen to Assyria. This timing issue could be seen as an inconsistency.

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