Contradictions and Paradoxes in Joshua 23:4

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Joshua 23:4 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Joshua 23:4. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of Joshua, God is telling the people that He has given them the land of many different groups of people as a special gift. This land is for them to live in and take care of, all the way from the Jordan River to the big sea where the sun sets.

Joshua 23:4: Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward. [westward: Heb. at the sunset]

Contradiction with Numbers 34:2-12

Joshua 23:4 states that God has allotted lands to the Israelites, but Numbers 34:2-12 provides a different description of the boundaries of the lands inherited by the Israelites.

Numbers 34:2-12: Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this [is] the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, [even] the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:)

Contradiction with Judges 2:21-23

Joshua 23:4 suggests that the land was given to Israel, yet Judges 2:21-23 explains that God left some nations to test Israel, implying not all land was fully given.

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 Judges 3:1-6

Joshua 23:4 mentions the distribution of the land, but Judges 3:1-6 indicates that certain nations were left to prove Israel, suggesting the land was not fully conquered.

Judges 3:1-6: 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;

Contradiction with Joshua 13:1-7

Joshua 23:4 talks about the division of the land, yet Joshua 13:1-7 mentions that much of the land still remains to be possessed, indicating an incomplete distribution.

Joshua 13:1-7: 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]
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