Judges 11:32 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to the author of the book of Judges, Jephthah went to battle against the people of Ammon, and God helped him win the fight. This shows how God can help His people when they trust and follow Him.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:13

This verse commands not to kill, contradicting Jephthah's actions leading to the death of his daughter.

Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 15:22

This verse emphasizes obedience to God over sacrifice, conflicting with Jephthah's vow resulting in a human sacrifice.

1 Samuel 15:22: And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.

Contradiction with Matthew 5:7

This verse emphasizes mercy, contrasting with the lack of mercy in Jephthah's vow's fulfillment.

Matthew 5:7: Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Contradiction with Proverbs 21:3

This verse emphasizes doing justice and judgment over sacrifice, contrasting with Jephthah's actions.

Proverbs 21:3: To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Contradiction with Hosea 6:6

This verse espouses mercy and knowledge of God over burnt offerings, conflicting with Jephthah's human sacrifice.

Hosea 6:6: For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Paradox #1

One possible historical inconsistency in relation to Judges 11:32 is the identification and historical existence of the Ammonites as depicted in the Bible. Some scholars debate the extent and nature of the conflict between Israel and the Ammonites, as archaeological evidence for some events during this period is sparse or interpreted differently by researchers. This can lead to questions about the accuracy of the narrative concerning the battles and territorial disputes described.

Paradox #2

The contradiction in this context might arise from the broader story of Jephthah, who makes a vow to God that results in a tragic sacrifice. The conflict here is between fulfilling a vow to God and the moral implications of carrying out a harmful action. This raises questions about the nature of promises and the consequences of rash decisions.