Contradictions and Paradoxes in Numbers 31:42

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Numbers 31:42 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Numbers 31:42. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, God told him to share the things they won after a battle. Half was for the people who stayed safe at home.

Numbers 31:42: And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,

Contradiction with Exodus 20:13

"Thou shalt not kill." This verse presents a commandment against killing, which contrasts with the context of Numbers 31, where war and its spoils are discussed.

Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.

Contradiction with Matthew 5:44

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." This teaching of Jesus about loving one's enemies contrasts with the events of war in Numbers 31.

Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Contradiction with Romans 12:19

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." This verse advises against personal vengeance, which can be seen as contradicting the directive for warfare in Numbers 31.

Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Contradiction with James 4:1-2

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not." These verses question the source of wars and fights, contrasting with divinely-sanctioned warfare.

James 4:1-2: From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members? [fightings: or, brawlings] [lusts: or, pleasures]

Contradiction with Isaiah 2:4

"And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." This future vision of peace contradicts the wartime activities described in Numbers 31.

Isaiah 2:4: And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. [pruninghooks: or, scythes]
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