Contradiction with Exodus 30:9
While Numbers 19:6 mentions burning cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet, Exodus 30:9 prohibits burning strange incense, which could potentially be interpreted as including substances not typically used in temple rituals.
Exodus 30:9: Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.
Contradiction with Leviticus 10:1-2
Numbers 19:6 involves precise rituals with specific elements, but Leviticus 10:1-2 shows how offering strange fire, not commanded by God, led to severe consequences, further highlighting potential risks of deviations.
Leviticus 10:1-2: And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
Contradiction with Isaiah 1:11
Numbers 19:6 involves sacrifices and burnt offerings, whereas Isaiah 1:11 questions the necessity and value of such offerings, indicating a contradiction in the perceived importance of these rituals.
Isaiah 1:11: To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. [he goats: Heb. great he goats]
Contradiction with Jeremiah 7:22
While Numbers 19:6 prescribes elaborate offerings and rituals, Jeremiah 7:22 mentions that God did not speak concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices when He brought the Israelites out of Egypt, suggesting a fundamental contradiction.
Jeremiah 7:22: For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: [concerning: Heb. concerning the matter of]
Contradiction with Hebrews 10:8
Numbers 19:6 involves sacrifices for purification, yet Hebrews 10:8 implies God has no pleasure in burnt offerings and the rituals of the law, suggesting the redundancy of the practices prescribed in Numbers.
Hebrews 10:8: Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law;
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in this verse could be related to the use of burning certain substances for purification. Scientifically, burning hyssop, cedarwood, and scarlet wool might not have any real cleansing or purifying effects as understood by modern chemistry and medicine. Today, purification is based on understanding germs and bacteria, which cannot be effectively managed by burning these substances.