Contradiction with Jonah 4:2
God is described as gracious, merciful, and slow to anger, contrasting the fierce anger depicted in Nahum 1:6.
Jonah 4:2: And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
Contradiction with Psalm 103:8
This verse highlights God's merciful and patient nature, which contrasts with the portrayal of divine wrath in Nahum 1:6.
Psalm 103:8: The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. [plentious...: Heb. great in mercy]
Contradiction with Exodus 34:6
Describes God as merciful and gracious, long-suffering, which is in contrast to the intense indignation in Nahum 1:6.
Exodus 34:6: And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Contradiction with 2 Peter 3:9
Emphasizes God's patience and unwillingness that any should perish, contrasting the destructive power described in Nahum 1:6.
2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Contradiction with Isaiah 54:8
While acknowledging wrath, it underscores God's everlasting kindness, providing a contrast to the overwhelming anger in Nahum 1:6.
Isaiah 54:8: In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
Contradiction with Psalm 145:9
Speaks of God's goodness to all and mercies over all His works, which contrasts the consuming judgment in Nahum 1:6.
Psalm 145:9: The LORD [is] good to all: and his tender mercies [are] over all his works.
Contradiction with Lamentations 3:22-23
God's compassions and faithfulness are highlighted, providing a different perspective from the wrathful description in Nahum 1:6.
Lamentations 3:22-23: [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Contradiction with Joel 2:13
Urges people to return to God by highlighting His graciousness and mercy, which contrasts the destructive power in Nahum 1:6.
Joel 2:13: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Paradox #1
Nahum 1:6 describes God's intense power and anger, which might seem inconsistent with the portrayal of a loving and merciful God in other parts of the Bible. This contrast can appear contradictory to some readers because it presents different aspects of God's nature—wrath and love—that can be difficult to reconcile.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in Nahum 1:6 could be seen as the conflict between the image of a merciful and loving God and the depiction of an angry and wrathful God. This might seem inconsistent to some people because it portrays a tension between kindness and punishment in the divine character.