Contradiction with Matthew 15:11
This verse suggests that nothing entering from outside defiles a man, while Numbers 19:21 emphasizes purification from external defilement.
Matthew 15:11: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Contradiction with Mark 7:15
Similar to Matthew 15:11, it argues that external things cannot defile, contradicting the purification needed in Numbers 19:21.
Mark 7:15: If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Contradiction with Acts 10:15
Peter is told that what God has cleansed should not be called unclean, contrasting with the complex purity procedures in Numbers 19:21.
Acts 10:15: And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.
Paradox #1
One possible theological inconsistency with Numbers 19:21 could be the rule about touching the water of purification making someone unclean. This might seem contradictory because the water is meant for purification, yet it also makes someone unclean. This could lead to confusion about how something intended to purify could also defile.
Paradox #2
One possible contradiction with the instructions in Numbers 19:21 could relate to different purity laws within the Bible. For example, while this verse lays out specific purification rituals, other parts of the Bible might have slightly different instructions for purification, leading to potential inconsistencies in practice or understanding. It can be confusing to reconcile these varied practices in a consistent way across different texts.
Paradox #3
Numbers 19:21 deals with purification rituals and states that someone who touches the water of separation will be unclean until evening. The contradiction could arise when considering the idea that an object or ritual can make someone unclean, which might conflict with the belief that moral purity is more important than physical or ritual cleanliness. This could raise questions about the emphasis on external actions versus internal moral state.