Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20
Whereas Jeremiah 36:31 suggests punishment extending to descendants, Ezekiel 18:20 states that a person will be responsible only for their own sins, not their parents’ or children’s.
Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:16
Contradicts Jeremiah 36:31 by stating that parents should not be put to death for their children, nor children for their parents, each will die for their own sin.
Deuteronomy 24:16: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 14:6
Suggests that children should not be punished for their fathers' sins, opposing the collective punishment seen in Jeremiah 36:31.
2 Kings 14:6: But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 25:4
States that parents and children should not be put to death for each other's sins, in contrast to the generational punishment hinted in Jeremiah 36:31.
2 Chronicles 25:4: But he slew not their children, but [did] as [it is] written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
Paradox #1
Jeremiah 36:31 discusses the consequences of disobedience and rejecting God's words. A potential theological conflict might arise when compared to the concept of God's forgiveness. Some might see a contradiction in God punishing people despite the possibility of forgiveness. However, others argue that consequences don't negate the offer of redemption if individuals repent. The tension lies in balancing justice and mercy.
Paradox #2
One potential contradiction in Jeremiah 36:31 might be the idea of collective punishment, where the actions of one person result in consequences for many others, including those who may not be directly responsible. This could be seen as conflicting with principles of individual accountability and fairness.