Contradictions and Paradoxes in Jeremiah 50:17

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Jeremiah 50:17 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Jeremiah 50:17. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Jeremiah, Israel is like a lost and frightened sheep that has been chased away by lions. These lions are mean kings from other lands, like the king of Assyria and King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who have hurt Israel and taken their home.

Jeremiah 50:17: Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 20:4

Deuteronomy 20:4 speaks of God's presence and assistance in battle, suggesting the Israelites would be victorious, while Jeremiah 50:17 describes them as scattered and defeated.

Deuteronomy 20:4: For the LORD your God [is] he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Contradiction with Psalm 121:4

Psalm 121:4 emphasizes that God watches over Israel and will not let them be harmed, which contrasts with Jeremiah 50:17's depiction of Israel being devoured by enemies.

Psalm 121:4: Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Contradiction with Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41:10 assures Israel of God's protection and support, which contradicts the vulnerability and suffering of Israel mentioned in Jeremiah 50:17.

Isaiah 41:10: Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Contradiction with Ezekiel 34:11-12

Ezekiel 34:11-12 talks about God personally gathering His scattered sheep, opposing the notion that Israel remains lost and devoured as stated in Jeremiah 50:17.

Ezekiel 34:11-12: For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, [even] I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

Contradiction with Psalm 46:1

Psalm 46:1 describes God as an ever-present help in trouble, contradicting the image of Israel being helplessly torn and devoured by foreign nations in Jeremiah 50:17.

Psalm 46:1: [To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.] God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [for: or, of]

Paradox #1

Jeremiah 50:17 suggests that Israel is like scattered sheep, first attacked by Assyria and later by Babylon. A contradiction lies in the sequence of events, as historically the Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians, while the Kingdom of Judah, not Israel, fell to the Babylonians. This creates a potential mix-up in geographical and historical details about which kingdom was conquered by which empire.

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