Contradictions and Paradoxes in Joshua 11:17

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Joshua 11:17 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Joshua 11:17. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of Joshua, God helped Joshua and the Israelites win battles against many kings from all the way south to the north. The verse shows how God was with them everywhere and helped them to be strong and courageous in defeating their enemies.

Joshua 11:17: [Even] from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them. [the mount...: or, the smooth mountain]

Contradiction with Joshua 11:16

Joshua 11:17 states the conquest was complete, but Joshua 11:16 notes there was still land yet to be taken.

Joshua 11:16: So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;

Contradiction with Judges 1:27

This verse indicates that the Israelites did not completely drive out the inhabitants from certain territories, contradicting the complete conquest described in Joshua 11:17.

Judges 1:27: 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 Judges 2:3

Here, God tells the Israelites that He will not drive out the remaining nations, implying incomplete conquest contrary to Joshua 11:17.

Judges 2:3: Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

Contradiction with Joshua 13:1

God tells Joshua that much of the land still remains to be possessed, which contradicts the account of complete conquest in Joshua 11:17.

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 3:1-3

This passage mentions nations left to test Israel, suggesting not all areas were conquered, contradicting Joshua 11:17's claim of complete control.

Judges 3:1-3: Now these [are] the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, [even] as many [of Israel] as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
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