Contradiction with Exodus 20:3
Judges 17:12 involves setting up a personal priesthood, which contradicts Exodus 20:3 by potentially prioritizing personal religious practices over worshiping only God.
Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Contradiction with Numbers 3:10
Judges 17:12 appoints a non-Levite as a priest, which contradicts Numbers 3:10 that commands only Levites are to be priests.
Numbers 3:10: And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 12:5-6
Judges 17:12 establishes a personal shrine, contradicting the directive in Deuteronomy 12:5-6 to worship at a centralized place chosen by God.
Deuteronomy 12:5-6: But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 18:6-8
Judges 17:12 allows a different priestly practice, contradicting Deuteronomy 18:6-8 which sets the expectation for Levites specifically to serve as priests.
Deuteronomy 18:6-8: And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose;
Contradiction with 1 Kings 12:31
Judges 17:12 appoints an unauthorized priesthood, similar to the practice condemned in 1 Kings 12:31 where non-Levitical priests were appointed.
1 Kings 12:31: And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 19:8-10
The priesthood in Judges 17:12 contradicts the order in 2 Chronicles 19:8-10, which stresses adherence to God's laws and appointed officials.
2 Chronicles 19:8-10: Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and [of] the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
Paradox #1
Judges 17:12 can be seen to present a doctrinal inconsistency because it involves appointing a personal priest outside the established Levitical priesthood, which goes against the religious laws outlined in earlier biblical texts. This could be seen as a deviation from the proper religious order as prescribed in the laws given to the Israelites, where only designated Levites were supposed to serve as priests.
Paradox #2
One potential contradiction in the context of Judges 17:12 relates to the presence of a Levite serving as a priest for a private household. According to other parts of the Bible, particularly the laws given in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, the priestly duties were reserved for the descendants of Aaron, and the Levites were meant to assist them in specific roles, not to function independently as priests. This creates a conflict with the established religious order described in other biblical texts.
Paradox #3
The contradiction or inconsistency in this verse might be seen in the establishment of a personal religious practice or priesthood outside of the established guidelines that were supposed to be followed by the Israelites, according to their laws. This could raise questions about the legitimacy and authority of religious figures and practices that deviate from established norms.