Contradictions and Paradoxes in Joshua 4:7

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Joshua 4:7 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Joshua 4:7. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the Book of Joshua, this verse means that God stopped the river so the people could go across safely. The stones were meant to help everyone remember this amazing thing God did for them.

Joshua 4:7: Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:4

This verse prohibits making graven images or memorials, which seems to contrast with Joshua 4:7 where stones are set up as a memorial.

Exodus 20:4: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 12:3

This verse commands the destruction of memorials or sacred stones, conflicting with the erection and preservation of memorial stones in Joshua 4:7.

Deuteronomy 12:3: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. [overthrow: Heb. break down]

Contradiction with Isaiah 2:18

This verse speaks of abolishing idols and memorials, which appears to contradict the establishment of a stone memorial in Joshua 4:7.

Isaiah 2:18: And the idols he shall utterly abolish. [he...: or, shall utterly pass away]

Contradiction with 2 Kings 18:4

This verse recounts the destruction of bronze serpents and other religious symbols due to idolatry, contrasting with maintaining a memorial as instructed in Joshua 4:7.

2 Kings 18:4: He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. [images: Heb. statues] [Nehushtan: that is, A piece of brass]

Contradiction with Jeremiah 10:3-4

These verses criticize the practices of setting up and decorating objects made by hands, conflicting with setting stones as a memorial in Joshua 4:7.

Jeremiah 10:3-4: For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. [customs...: Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity]
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