Contradictions and Paradoxes in Joshua 4:13

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Joshua 4:13 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Joshua 4:13. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of Joshua, God helped around forty thousand brave soldiers get ready to fight in a big battle near Jericho. They trusted God to help them win.

Joshua 4:13: About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. [prepared: or, ready armed]

Contradiction with Numbers 1:46

Lists the total number of men of war in Israel as 603,550, which significantly differs from the 40,000 mentioned in Joshua 4:13.

Numbers 1:46: Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

Contradiction with Numbers 26:51

Provides a different total for the men of war after a census, still not matching the number 40,000.

Numbers 26:51: These [were] the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 20:1

Suggests they shouldn’t be afraid when facing enemies, while Joshua 4:13 depicts readiness for war with a specific number of armed men.

Deuteronomy 20:1: When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, [and] a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Contradiction with Exodus 12:37

States about 600,000 men journeyed along with women and children, again inconsistent with the number counted in Joshua 4:13.

Exodus 12:37: And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot [that were] men, beside children.

Contradiction with Judges 20:17

Indicates a fighting force of 400,000 from Israel, contradicting the smaller figure of 40,000 in Joshua 4:13.

Judges 20:17: And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these [were] men of war.
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