Contradictions and Paradoxes in Nehemiah 8:15

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Nehemiah 8:15 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Nehemiah 8:15. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Nehemiah, God wanted the people to gather branches from different trees to make little houses called booths. These booths were for a special party to remember how God took care of them in the past.

Nehemiah 8:15: And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as [it is] written.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:8-11

Nehemiah 8:15 instructs gathering branches on the Sabbath, which contradicts the command to rest on the Sabbath.

Exodus 20:8-11: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Contradiction with Numbers 15:32-36

Gathering sticks on the Sabbath is punishable by death, yet Nehemiah 8:15 describes collecting branches.

Numbers 15:32-36: And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.

Contradiction with Jeremiah 17:21-22

Nehemiah 8:15 encourages carrying burdens on the Sabbath, while this passage prohibits it.

Jeremiah 17:21-22: Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring [it] in by the gates of Jerusalem;

Contradiction with Exodus 31:14-15

Describes the Sabbath as a day of rest, punishment for working contradicts Nehemiah 8:15’s instruction to gather branches.

Exodus 31:14-15: Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it [is] holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth [any] work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Contradiction with Matthew 12:1-2

Disciples pick grain on the Sabbath and are criticized, similar to actions in Nehemiah 8:15.

Matthew 12:1-2: At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

Paradox #1

The verse instructs people to gather branches to make booths for a festival. A potential contradiction might be the environmental impact of gathering large amounts of branches, which could conflict with the value of caring for creation. However, this wasn't a concern in ancient times as it might be today. The focus on ritual versus environmental stewardship could present a minor inconsistency in a modern context.

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