Contradictions and Paradoxes in Judges 7:8

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Judges 7:8 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Judges 7:8. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of Judges, God helped a small group of people, only 300 men, get ready to fight a big army. They took their food and trumpets, while everyone else went home, to show that God can do big things with just a few people.

Judges 7:8: So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all [the rest of] Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.

Contradiction with Judges 7:16

In Judges 7:8, Gideon keeps 300 men, whereas, in Judges 7:16, Gideon divides the 300 men into three companies which seems to contradict the instruction or understanding of keeping them as a single group.

Judges 7:16: And he divided the three hundred men [into] three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. [a trumpet...: Heb. trumpets in the hand of all of them] [lamps: or, firebrands, or, torches]

Contradiction with Numbers 31:27

Judges 7:8 speaks of sending the people home and keeping the 300 men, while Numbers 31:27 instructs dividing the spoils equally among those involved in battle, indicating a contrasting approach to handling resources and personnel.

Numbers 31:27: And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 20:8

Deuteronomy 20:8 suggests sending people home who are fearful and fainthearted, while Judges 7:8 implies a selection based on divine instruction, not solely on fear or faint-heartedness.

Deuteronomy 20:8: And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man [is there that is] fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart. [faint: Heb. melt]

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 14:6

In this verse, Jonathan speaks of achieving victory by many or by few, showing a degree of faith in God's deliverance similar to Judges 7:8, but implying any number, whereas Judges 7:8 uniquely specifies the smaller number of 300 men.

1 Samuel 14:6: And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for [there is] no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 14:11

Asa relies on a large army to feel secure, whereas Judges 7:8 indicates God's choice of using only 300 men, showcasing trust in smaller numbers.

2 Chronicles 14:11: And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee. [man: or, mortal man]
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