Contradiction with Matthew 5:44
Judges 21:7 shows the Israelites' concern over lack of wives for the Benjamites, while Matthew 5:44 teaches to love your enemies, which contrasts with the wartime actions leading to this predicament.
Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Contradiction with Exodus 20:13
The concern in Judges 21:7 arises from prior killings, whereas Exodus 20:13 commands "Thou shalt not kill," highlighting a contradiction in the adherence to this commandment.
Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.
Contradiction with Romans 12:19
Judges 21:7 deals with seeking solutions for punishment aftermath, while Romans 12:19 advises against seeking vengeance, urging to leave it to God.
Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Contradiction with Proverbs 25:21
This verse encourages providing for your enemies, contrasting with the initial actions against the Benjamites that led to the crisis in Judges 21:7.
Proverbs 25:21: If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Contradiction with Luke 6:27
Promotes doing good to those who hate you, contradictory to the conflict roots in Judges 21:7 that stem from inter-tribal hostilities.
Luke 6:27: But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Contradiction with 1 John 4:20
This verse emphasizes loving all brethren, conflicting with the intertribal strife and destruction narrated in Judges 21.
1 John 4:20: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Paradox #1
Judges 21:7 presents a moral and ethical dilemma where the Israelites face a contradiction between their oath not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites and their desire to ensure the survival of the tribe of Benjamin. This creates a conflict between keeping their vows and addressing the consequences of their civil conflict, highlighting tensions between justice, mercy, and communal responsibility.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or inconsistency related to Judges 21:7 might involve the moral and ethical conflict faced by the Israelites. They made a vow not to give their daughters to the tribe of Benjamin as wives, which later put them in a difficult position when they sought to preserve the tribe after a brutal civil conflict. The contradiction lies in their attempt to uphold an oath that led to further violence and moral dilemmas, showing the complexity of their commitments and the unintended consequences of their decisions.
Paradox #3
The contradiction in Judges 21:7 arises from the Israelites' decision to find wives for the tribe of Benjamin after having previously vowed not to give their own daughters to them. This demonstrates inconsistency in their actions, as they are trying to solve a problem that their own oath helped create, leading to a conflict between their promise and their desire to preserve the tribe.