Contradictions and Paradoxes in Joshua 21:9

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Joshua 21:9 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Joshua 21:9. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of Joshua, this verse tells us that the people from the tribes of Judah and Simeon shared some of their cities with others. It's like giving a place to stay to friends to make sure everyone has a home.

Joshua 21:9: And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are [here] mentioned by name, [mentioned: Heb. called]

Contradiction with Joshua 10:42

Joshua 10:42 states that Joshua conquered all these kings and their lands at one time because the Lord fought for Israel, while Joshua 21:9 lists specific lands given to the Levites without mentioning conquest or divine intervention.

Joshua 10:42: And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

Contradiction with Joshua 12:7

Joshua 12:7 lists the kings defeated by Joshua and the territories taken, emphasizing military victory, whereas Joshua 21:9 focuses on the distribution of cities to the Levites, which were already designated rather than conquered.

Joshua 12:7: And these [are] the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel [for] a possession according to their divisions;

Contradiction with Judges 1:27

Judges 1:27 describes how certain tribes did not drive out the inhabitants of the land, indicating incomplete conquest, while Joshua 21:9 assumes control over these lands as cities are allocated to the Levites.

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 21:16

Judges 21:16 deals with the issue of finding wives for the Benjamites from other towns, suggesting a return to conflict and instability, which contrasts with the organized distribution and peace implied in Joshua 21:9.

Judges 21:16: Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?
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