Contradictions and Paradoxes in Judges 2:23

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Judges 2:23 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Judges 2:23. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of Judges, God let some people stay in the land with the Israelites. He didn't help Joshua get rid of them quickly so the Israelites could learn from their actions.

Judges 2:23: Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua. [left: or, suffered]

Contradiction with Joshua 23:9

This verse states that the Lord drove out great nations before the Israelites, contradicting Judges 2:23, which says the Lord left some nations.

Joshua 23:9: For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. [For the LORD...: or, Then the LORD will drive]

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 7:22

Here, God promises to clear away nations little by little but assures their ultimate removal, contradicting the implication in Judges 2:23 of leaving them.

Deuteronomy 7:22: And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee. [put...: Heb. pluck off]

Contradiction with Numbers 33:52

This verse commands the Israelites to drive out all inhabitants of the land, which contrasts with Judges 2:23, indicating some were not driven out.

Numbers 33:52: Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:

Contradiction with Joshua 21:43

It affirms the Lord gave Israel all the land He swore to give their ancestors, contrasting with Judges 2:23, where some nations remained.

Joshua 21:43: And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

Contradiction with Judges 1:28

States that the Israelites did not drive out all the inhabitants but put them to forced labor, which contradicts the allowance in Judges 2:23 for the nations to remain.

Judges 1:28: And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.

Paradox #1

The contradiction in "Judges 2:23" could involve the idea that God allowed certain nations to remain in the land to test Israel, which might seem inconsistent with the notion of a protective and caring deity. This can create a conflict between the concepts of divine protection and allowing challenges or temptations.

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