Contradictions and Paradoxes in Numbers 32:33

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Numbers 32:33 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Numbers 32:33. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, he shared a special land with the families of Gad, Reuben, and part of Manasseh. This land used to belong to two kings, Sihon and Og, and it had lots of cities for them to live in.

Numbers 32:33: And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 10:9

States that Levi has no inheritance among the tribes of Israel, while Numbers 32:33 describes the inheritance given to the children of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh.

Deuteronomy 10:9: Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD [is] his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

Contradiction with Joshua 13:14

Levi does not have a tribal inheritance, yet Numbers 32:33 details territories assigned specifically to Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh.

Joshua 13:14: Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire [are] their inheritance, as he said unto them.

Contradiction with Numbers 18:20

The Lord says to Aaron, "Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land," contrasting with the distribution of land in Numbers 32:33.

Numbers 18:20: And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I [am] thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

Contradiction with Joshua 18:1-7

Describes the division of the remaining land yet excludes mention of Levi, contradicting the specific allocation in Numbers 32:33.

Joshua 18:1-7: And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

Contradiction with Ezekiel 44:28

Presents another example of Levi not receiving a portion of land, highlighting the different treatment compared to Numbers 32:33.

Ezekiel 44:28: And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I [am] their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I [am] their possession.

Paradox #1

Numbers 32:33 describes how Moses gave land to the Gadites, Reubenites, and half the tribe of Manasseh. A possible historical inconsistency is that other parts of the Bible mention that these tribes received their land after entering the Promised Land, not before. This could raise questions about the timing and sequence of events regarding which lands they inherited and when.

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