Contradiction with Genesis 32:30
In Genesis 32:30, Jacob sees God face to face, yet his life is preserved, whereas Numbers 22:31 depicts fear at seeing an angel.
Genesis 32:30: And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. [Peniel: that is, The face of God]
Contradiction with Exodus 33:20
God tells Moses that no one can see His face and live, contrasting with Balaam's encounter with the angel where he does see and live.
Exodus 33:20: And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Contradiction with John 1:18
States that no one has seen God at any time, conflicting with the openness of seeing a divine figure in Numbers 22:31.
John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].
Contradiction with 1 Timothy 6:16
Describes God as dwelling in unapproachable light, which no man has seen or can see, in contrast to the visible encounter in Numbers 22:31.
1 Timothy 6:16: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Paradox #1
Numbers 22:31 describes an event that involves miraculous vision and interaction with the supernatural. Historical contradictions or inconsistencies typically arise when events described in religious texts do not align with established historical or scientific knowledge. In this verse, the miraculous and supernatural elements can conflict with a naturalistic understanding of the world and its history, leading to debates among scholars about the literal versus metaphorical interpretations of such events. Thus, the conflict often lies in differing worldviews—faith-based versus empirical evidence-based perspectives.
Paradox #2
The verse involves seeing an angel, which is often considered a supernatural event. From a scientific perspective, there is no empirical evidence or scientific explanation for the existence of angels or the ability to see them, making such experiences inconsistent with scientific understanding.