Contradiction with Numbers 14:29
While Numbers 3:40 records a census of male Levites from one month old, Numbers 14:29 speaks of those counted for death: all men of 20 years and older who murmured against God.
Numbers 14:29: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
Contradiction with 2 Samuel 24:1
Numbers 3:40 is an act commanded by God, whereas 2 Samuel 24:1 involves a census that incited God's anger.
2 Samuel 24:1: And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 21:1
This verse describes a census prompted by Satan, contrasting with Numbers 3:40 where God directs Moses to count the Levites.
1 Chronicles 21:1: And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
Contradiction with Exodus 30:12
Numbers 3:40 involves counting Levites without mention of ransom money, unlike Exodus 30:12, which requires a ransom for each counted individual during a census to prevent a plague.
Exodus 30:12: When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when [thou] numberest them. [their number: Heb. them that are to be numbered]
Contradiction with Numbers 1:2
While Numbers 3:40 commands a count from one month old, Numbers 1:2 commands a census of Israelites from twenty years and up, excluding Levites.
Numbers 1:2: Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of [their] names, every male by their polls;
Paradox #1
The contradiction or conflict might arise from the view that counting firstborn males for religious duties could be seen as valuing individuals based on birth order or gender, potentially conflicting with ideas of equality or valuing all people equally regardless of their birth circumstances.