Contradiction with Proverbs 3:19
This verse states that the Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding, suggesting the presence of divine wisdom in creation, contradicting Jeremiah 51:17's depiction of human craftsmanship as devoid of wisdom.
Proverbs 3:19: The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. [established: or, prepared]
Contradiction with Proverbs 2:6
This verse explains that the Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, implying that true wisdom comes from God, which contrasts with the portrayal of human wisdom in Jeremiah 51:17.
Proverbs 2:6: For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.
Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 1:25
This verse claims that the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, whereas Jeremiah 51:17 criticizes human craftsmen as without knowledge.
1 Corinthians 1:25: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Contradiction with Proverbs 9:10
This verse indicates that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, which contrasts with the statement in Jeremiah 51:17 about man being brutish in knowledge.
Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Paradox #1
One potential contradiction might be how Jeremiah 51:17 criticizes idol worship and human wisdom in creating idols, while other parts of the Bible acknowledge the God-given wisdom and creativity of humans. This can seem inconsistent if worshiping human creations is condemned, but human ingenuity is also celebrated elsewhere.
Paradox #2
The verse in question criticizes the wisdom of people who worship idols, stating that their knowledge is useless and foolish. A potential contradiction could be that the verse implies knowledge or wisdom gained outside of divine revelation is inherently flawed or worthless. This could conflict with the scientific method, which values empirical evidence and observation as a basis for understanding the world, regardless of its divine or secular origins. Science encourages questioning and testing, which can be seen as differing from the view presented in the verse.
Paradox #3
The contradiction in this verse could be seen as the contrast between human wisdom and divine power. The verse suggests that human wisdom is faulty compared to God's might. This can conflict with the idea that people should strive for wisdom and understanding. If human wisdom is seen as worthless, it might discourage the pursuit of knowledge or self-improvement.