Contradictions and Paradoxes in Numbers 20:16

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Numbers 20:16 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Numbers 20:16. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, when the Israelites called out to God for help, He listened and sent an angel to guide them out of Egypt. Now, they are in a place called Kadesh, right at the edge of where they are supposed to be.

Numbers 20:16: And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we [are] in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 26:7

This verse suggests that the children of Israel cried unto the Lord directly, whereas Numbers 20:16 indicates the cry was made to the Lord and then He heard their voice.

Deuteronomy 26:7: And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:

Contradiction with Exodus 2:23

Here, the children of Israel sighed and groaned because of the bondage, and their cry went up to God, contrasting with their crying unto Him in Numbers 20:16.

Exodus 2:23: And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

Contradiction with Psalm 107:6

This verse implies an immediate divine response and deliverance when they cried unto the Lord, unlike in Numbers 20:16, which emphasizes the involvement of an angel.

Psalm 107:6: Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he delivered them out of their distresses.

Contradiction with Numbers 14:45

In this verse, there is no mention of God hearing their cries or sending help when the Amalekites and Canaanites defeated them, differing from the deliverance described in Numbers 20:16.

Numbers 14:45: Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, [even] unto Hormah.

Contradiction with Exodus 14:10

When the Israelites cried out to the Lord at the Red Sea, the passage highlights their fear and desperation, differing from the organized cry followed by divine response in Numbers 20:16.

Exodus 14:10: And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

Paradox #1

The historical conflict with this verse could be the mention of the Israelites sending messengers to the king of Edom from Kadesh, which may contradict earlier accounts in Numbers about their interactions and journey through the desert. The timeline of events and locations can be challenging to reconcile with other passages.

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