Contradiction with Judges 11:30-31
These verses describe Jephthah making a vow to offer whatever comes out of his house to the Lord as a burnt offering, which resulted in sacrificing his daughter, contradicting the prohibition of child sacrifice in Leviticus 18:21.
Judges 11:30-31: And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
Contradiction with 2 Kings 16:3
King Ahaz is described as making his son pass through the fire, following the abominations of the nations, which is prohibited in Leviticus 18:21.
2 Kings 16:3: But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 21:6
Manasseh is said to have made his son pass through the fire, practicing witchcraft and idolatry, directly conflicting with the commands in Leviticus 18:21.
2 Kings 21:6: And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 20:26
God speaking of defiling the people by giving them statutes that were not good, including the giving up of their firstborn to horror, which seems in opposition to Leviticus 18:21.
Ezekiel 20:26: And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through [the fire] all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I [am] the LORD.
Contradiction with Ezra 9:1-2
The Israelites intermarrying and mingling with the people of the land, resulting in 'abominations,' which can be seen as allowing practices that Leviticus 18:21 condemns.
Ezra 9:1-2: Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, [doing] according to their abominations, [even] of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 19:5
It states people built high places to Baal to burn their sons in the fire, which is directly condemned in Leviticus 18:21.
Jeremiah 19:5: They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire [for] burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake [it], neither came [it] into my mind:
Paradox #1
One contradiction or conflict around Leviticus 18:21 could involve differing interpretations of ancient religious practices. Some scholars suggest this verse opposes certain rituals that involved child sacrifice, which might have been practiced by surrounding cultures. This creates a conflict or inconsistency with the view that ancient Israelites were strictly monotheistic and distinct from their neighbors. The tension lies in understanding how cultural interactions may have influenced religious teachings.
Paradox #2
The moral conflict in this verse could be about the historical context of sacrifices and the prohibition against sacrificing children. Some readers might find a contradiction between this specific prohibition and other passages in different contexts where sacrifice is discussed or required. However, since this verse emphasizes protecting children and condemning harmful practices, it aligns with a general ethical stance against harm, so the conflict might not seem strong. Overall, interpretations can vary.