Contradiction with Joshua 11:23
Joshua 11:23 states that Joshua took the whole land, suggesting a more complete conquest than the battles described in Joshua 10:42.
Joshua 11:23: So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
Contradiction with Judges 1:27-28
These verses mention that the Israelites did not drive out all the inhabitants of the land, contradicting the complete subjugation implied in Joshua 10:42.
Judges 1:27-28: Neither did Manasseh drive out [the inhabitants of] Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
Contradiction with Joshua 13:1
This verse acknowledges that much land still remains to be possessed, contradicting the implication of total conquest in Joshua 10:42.
Joshua 13:1: Now Joshua was old [and] stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old [and] stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. [to...: Heb. to possess it]
Contradiction with Judges 2:21-23
These verses indicate that the Lord left some nations to test Israel, contradicting the idea that Joshua took control of all lands at once in Joshua 10:42.
Judges 2:21-23: I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:
Contradiction with Joshua 17:12-13
It states that the Israelites did not fully drive out the Canaanites, contradicting the complete dominance suggested by Joshua 10:42.
Joshua 17:12-13: Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out [the inhabitants of] those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
Paradox #1
Some people see a contradiction in this verse because it describes Joshua and the Israelites defeating and destroying multiple kings and their lands, which involved a lot of violence and killing. This may seem inconsistent with the idea of a loving and merciful God. It raises questions about the morality of war and violence being portrayed as divinely sanctioned.