Contradictions and Paradoxes in Judges 1:17

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Judges 1:17 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Judges 1:17. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of Judges, the people from Judah and Simeon worked together to fight and win against the people living in a place called Zephath. They destroyed the city completely, and from then on, the city was called Hormah.

Judges 1:17: And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.

Contradiction with Judges 1:19

In Judges 1:17, Judah is successful against the inhabitants of Zephath, but in Judges 1:19, they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had chariots of iron.

Judges 1:19: And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out [the inhabitants of] the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. [drave...: or, possessed the mountain]

Contradiction with Numbers 33:55

Judges 1:17 describes Judah's victory, but Numbers 33:55 warns that if the Israelites do not drive out all inhabitants, those remaining will be problematic, suggesting incomplete victories.

Numbers 33:55: But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them [shall be] pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Contradiction with Joshua 1:5

Judges 1:17 shows a victory for Judah, but Joshua 1:5 promises that no one will be able to stand against Israelites, yet later verses show instances where they face resistance.

Joshua 1:5: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 7:2

According to Judges 1:17, Judah defeated Zephath, but Deuteronomy 7:2 commands the Israelites to utterly destroy the peoples they conquer, implying complete annihilation which is not always depicted.

Deuteronomy 7:2: And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Contradiction with Joshua 15:63

Judges 1:17 describes a victory over Canaanites, but Joshua 15:63 states that Judah could not drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem, showing an inconsistency in fully conquering the land.

Joshua 15:63: As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

Contradiction with Joshua 16:10

Contradicts with Judges 1:17 as it notes that the Ephraimites did not drive out the Canaanites in Gezer, showing incomplete conquest while Judah had success.

Joshua 16:10: And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.

Contradiction with Judges 2:3

Following the success in Judges 1:17, Judges 2:3 indicates that God would not drive out the nations before them, suggesting a change in divine assistance or outcome.

Judges 2:3: Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
Disclaimer: The content provided at PolarBible.com is for educational purposes only. Readers have the full right to agree or disagree with the interpretations and conclusions presented. We take no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken based on the information shared as Polar Verses.