Contradiction with Deuteronomy 12:3
This verse instructs to destroy altars and break down pillars of false gods, while Judges 6:26 instructs to build an altar for God.
Deuteronomy 12:3: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. [overthrow: Heb. break down]
Contradiction with Exodus 20:24
This verse allows altars to be built in various places, while Judges 6:26 is specific about building an altar on a certain rock to the Lord.
Exodus 20:24: An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 18:30
This verse involves repairing an existing altar of the Lord, whereas Judges 6:26 details constructing a new one.
1 Kings 18:30: And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD [that was] broken down.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 27:5-6
These verses command building an altar with unhewn stones, which might contrast with detailed instructions given in Judges 6:26 about the altar construction.
Deuteronomy 27:5-6: And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up [any] iron [tool] upon them.
Contradiction with Exodus 34:13
This verse commands the destruction of pagan altars, in contrast to Judges 6:26’s mandate to construct an altar for God.
Exodus 34:13: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: [images: Heb. statues]
Contradiction with Jeremiah 11:13
This verse critiques the proliferation of altars, contrary to the specific creation of a sacred altar in Judges 6:26.
Jeremiah 11:13: For [according to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and [according to] the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to [that] shameful thing, [even] altars to burn incense unto Baal. [shameful...: Heb. shame]
Contradiction with Isaiah 17:8
This verse talks about forsaking altars made by hands, which may counter the building instructions in Judges 6:26.
Isaiah 17:8: And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect [that] which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images. [images: or, sun images]
Paradox #1
The contradiction in Judges 6:26 could involve the instruction to build an altar to God. In the ancient context, altars were often built to multiple deities, and this directive to demolish altars to other gods and build one solely for the God of Israel contrasts with the religious practices of surrounding cultures at the time, which typically involved polytheism. This highlights the tension between the Israelite monotheistic practices and the prevailing polytheistic cultures.