Contradictions and Paradoxes in Joshua 3:15

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Joshua 3:15 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Joshua 3:15. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the Book of Joshua, God helped the Israelites when the priests carrying the special holy box stepped into the overflowing river. The river stopped flowing so everyone could cross safely to the other side.

Joshua 3:15: And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

Contradiction with Isaiah 43:2

Contradicts the miraculous parting of the waters in Joshua 3:15 by reassuring that God will be with you through waters, implying you will go through them, not part them.

Isaiah 43:2: When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Contradiction with Amos 5:24

Contradicts Joshua 3:15 as it uses the metaphor that justice and righteousness should flow continuously, unlike the physical waters halting in the story of Joshua.

Amos 5:24: But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. [run: Heb. roll]

Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 1:7

Contradicts by emphasizing the natural, continuous flow of rivers into the sea, unlike the damming of the Jordan River described in Joshua 3:15.

Ecclesiastes 1:7: All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea [is] not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. [return...: Heb. return to go]

Contradiction with Jeremiah 5:22

Contradicts by highlighting God's provision that the sea’s waters are contained by perpetual decree, opposing the temporary halt of the Jordan River.

Jeremiah 5:22: Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand [for] the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

Contradiction with Genesis 8:22

Contradicts with the concept of a natural order, including seasons and cycles, suggesting that such an interruption as in Joshua 3:15 is an anomaly.

Genesis 8:22: While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. [While...: Heb. As yet all the days of the earth]

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction could be related to the description of water behavior, as it might describe a phenomenon that doesn't align with our understanding of natural water flow and physics, particularly the stopping or piling up of water in a river.

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