Contradiction with Deuteronomy 23:19
Nehemiah 5:8 mentions redeeming Jewish individuals from bondage, whereas Deuteronomy 23:19 prohibits charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites, suggesting a broader prohibition against economic exploitation.
Deuteronomy 23:19: Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:
Contradiction with Leviticus 25:39
Nehemiah 5:8 is about freeing Jewish individuals from bondage, whereas Leviticus 25:39 discusses that fellow Israelites should not be treated as slaves, which contradicts the need for redemption due to prior enslavement.
Leviticus 25:39: And if thy brother [that dwelleth] by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: [compel...: Heb. serve thyself with him with the service, etc]
Contradiction with Exodus 22:25
Nehemiah 5:8 highlights redeeming fellow Jews sold into servitude, whereas Exodus 22:25 prohibits charging interest to any of God's people, which indirectly contributes to situations leading to servitude.
Exodus 22:25: If thou lend money to [any of] my people [that is] poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:8
Nehemiah 5:8 includes buying back Jews sold to other nations, yet Ezekiel 18:8 advises against lending for profit or taking excessive interest, contrary to practices leading to such bondage.
Ezekiel 18:8: He [that] hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, [that] hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
Contradiction with Proverbs 22:7
Nehemiah 5:8 demonstrates redeeming those sold into slavery, which contrasts with Proverbs 22:7, emphasizing that the borrower becomes the lender's slave, indicating financial practices leading to servitude.
Proverbs 22:7: The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender. [the lender: Heb. the man that lendeth]
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 15:7
Nehemiah 5:8 talks of redeeming Jews sold into slavery, while Deuteronomy 15:7 emphasizes aiding the poor, implying prevention of poverty-related bondage.
Deuteronomy 15:7: If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
Paradox #1
Nehemiah 5:8 raises a contradiction because it addresses the issue of Israelites selling their people into slavery and then buying them back. It highlights a conflict in how they deal with their own community, criticizing the practice of profiting from fellow Israelites' hardships. This could be seen as inconsistent with the broader biblical teachings on compassion and justice.