Contradiction with Genesis 14:14
Joshua 21:34 states specific cities for the tribe of Naphtali, but Genesis 14:14 references an earlier time with Abram's allies in different regions, reflecting differing narrative contexts.
Genesis 14:14: And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan. [armed: or, led forth] [trained: or, instructed]
Contradiction with Numbers 1:50
While Joshua 21:34 specifies cities given to the Levites, Numbers 1:50 gives responsibilities of the Levites without mentioning these cities, indicating different roles and focuses.
Numbers 1:50: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that [belong] to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Contradiction with Joshua 13:8-9
Joshua 21:34 assigns cities to the Levites, whereas Joshua 13:8-9 discusses land divisions among other tribes, showing a variation in territorial distributions.
Joshua 13:8-9: With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, [even] as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them;
Contradiction with Judges 1:33
Joshua 21:34 describes specific allotments for Levites, while Judges 1:33 mentions Naphtali's inability to drive out inhabitants, reflecting challenges in claiming different territories.
Judges 1:33: Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.
Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 6:77
This verse provides a list of cities for Levites, including some differences in the cities compared to Joshua 21:34, indicating discrepancies in the tribal allocations.
1 Chronicles 6:77: Unto the rest of the children of Merari [were given] out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: