Contradiction with Jeremiah 29:11
This verse suggests a specific plan and hope for the future, whereas Psalms 139:16 implies a predetermined and unchangeable course for an individual's life.
Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. [expected...: Heb. end and expectation]
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 9:11
This verse emphasizes time and chance, which implies randomness and unpredictability, contradicting the notion in Psalms 139:16 of a pre-written and ordained life.
Ecclesiastes 9:11: I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Contradiction with Proverbs 16:9
This verse indicates that humans have the ability to make their own plans, opposing the idea in Psalms 139:16 that life is already laid out before birth.
Proverbs 16:9: A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Contradiction with Isaiah 38:1-5
In this passage, God changes the predetermined fate of Hezekiah, contradicting the idea of Psalms 139:16 where everything is written beforehand.
Isaiah 38:1-5: In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. [Set...: Heb. Give charge concerning thy house]
Contradiction with Exodus 32:14
God changes His mind about a previously stated decision, challenging the notion from Psalms 139:16 of an immutable divine plan.
Exodus 32:14: And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Contradiction with Jonah 3:10
God alters His plan in response to human actions, which contradicts with Psalms 139:16's view of a life already scripted in a book.
Jonah 3:10: And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 20:1-6
God extends Hezekiah's life after he prays, showing a change in a seemingly predetermined fate, thus contradicting Psalms 139:16.
2 Kings 20:1-6: In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. [Set...: Heb. Give charge concerning thine house]
Contradiction with 2 Peter 3:9
This verse indicates God's desire for repentance and change in behavior, suggesting flexibility in outcomes, which opposes the deterministic view of Psalms 139:16.
2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Paradox #1
Some people see a contradiction because this verse implies that God knows everything about our lives before we're even born, suggesting we have no free will. But other parts of the Bible talk about humans having the ability to choose their actions, creating a tension between predestination and free will.
Paradox #2
Psalms 139:16 suggests that God knows and plans each person's life before they are born. A potential contradiction could arise in discussions about free will versus predestination. Some may argue that if God has predetermined every aspect of life, it could conflict with the belief in free will, where individuals have the power to choose their actions. This can lead to debates about the nature of God's omniscience and human autonomy.
Paradox #3
Some people find a contradiction in the idea of free will versus divine predestination. If everything about a person's life is already known or planned, as some interpret this verse to imply, it raises questions about how free will operates. Others argue that it suggests a predetermined path, which might conflict with the belief that humans can make their own choices.
Paradox #4
The contradiction in this context could be the idea of predestination or a predetermined plan for every individual before birth, which may conflict with scientific understandings of genetics, environmental factors, and free will that influence human development and life outcomes. Science generally supports the idea that multiple factors, without a predestined plan, contribute to the uniqueness of each person's life journey.
Paradox #5
One potential contradiction in Psalms 139:16 could be the conflict between the idea of predestination and the concept of free will. If everything about a person's life is already determined, it might seem to conflict with the belief that individuals have the freedom to make their own choices and be responsible for their actions.