Contradiction with Exodus 20:4
Unlike Leviticus 26:1, which prohibits making idols or graven images to worship, Exodus 20:4 emphasizes not making any graven images at all for worship, further detailing the prohibition.
Exodus 20:4: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
Contradiction with 1 Kings 6:23-28
This passage describes the making of cherubims of olive tree in the inner sanctuary of the temple, which appears to contradict the command against graven images.
1 Kings 6:23-28: And within the oracle he made two cherubims [of] olive tree, [each] ten cubits high. [olive: or, oily: Heb. trees of oil]
Contradiction with Numbers 21:8-9
God commands Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it upon a pole, which can seem in contradiction to the prohibition in Leviticus about making graven images.
Numbers 21:8-9: And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 18:4
Hezekiah breaks the bronze serpent Moses had made because it had become an idol, demonstrating a narrative contradiction where something permissible becomes forbidden.
2 Kings 18:4: He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. [images: Heb. statues] [Nehushtan: that is, A piece of brass]
Contradiction with Exodus 25:18-20
Describes God's command to make two cherubim of gold on the Ark of the Covenant, even though Leviticus 26:1 forbids the making of idols.
Exodus 25:18-20: And thou shalt make two cherubims [of] gold, [of] beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 41:18-19
This passage describes carvings of cherubim and palm trees in the temple, which seems to contradict the prohibition in Leviticus regarding graven images.
Ezekiel 41:18-19: And [it was] made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree [was] between a cherub and a cherub; and [every] cherub had two faces;
Paradox #1
Leviticus 26:1 instructs against making idols, statues, or stone images to worship. The contradiction or inconsistency arises because, elsewhere in the Bible, particularly in Exodus and Numbers, God commands the creation of cherubim and other decorative objects for religious purposes. This can seem inconsistent with the instruction not to make graven images, as both involve crafting images or figures.
Paradox #2
Leviticus 26:1 talks about not making idols or worshipping images. The contradiction or inconsistency could arise when considering other parts of religious traditions that use statues, icons, or images in worship. Some might see this as conflicting because one part forbids it, while others incorporate it into their practices.