Numbers 2:26 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to Moses, this verse tells us how many people there were in a big group from a family called Asher, and it was 62,700 people. It's like counting all the kids in a big school to know how many there are.

Contradiction with Exodus 12:37

Exodus describes the Israelites as "about six hundred thousand on foot that were men," a much larger total than a tribe's individual count, highlighting potential differences in census details.

Exodus 12:37: And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot [that were] men, beside children.

Contradiction with Judges 7:2

Gideon’s story shows God's preference for smaller numbers to demonstrate His power, a contrast to the census numbers' significance in Numbers 2:26.

Judges 7:2: And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that [are] with thee [are] too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 14:6

Illustrates how the Lord can save with many or few, challenging the focus on large numbers seen in Numbers 2:26.

1 Samuel 14:6: And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for [there is] no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 24:10

David's regret for taking a census reflects a negative view on counting people, opposed to the organized census in Numbers 2:26.

2 Samuel 24:10: And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

Contradiction with Matthew 10:30

Emphasizes God's intimate knowledge of individuals, contrasting the large grouped census in Numbers 2:26.

Matthew 10:30: But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Contradiction with Psalm 33:16

States that a king is not saved by a large army, contrasting the underlying value of numbers in a census like Numbers 2:26.

Psalm 33:16: There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

Contradiction with John 6:10

Jesus feeding the five thousand illustrates provision without emphasis on counting, contrasting the detailed count in Numbers 2:26.

John 6:10: And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.