Contradiction with Genesis 1:21
Genesis 1:21 states that God created sea creatures, while Psalms 74:13 describes God dividing the sea and breaking the heads of sea dragons, suggesting destruction rather than creation.
Genesis 1:21: And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
Contradiction with Psalms 104:25-26
Psalms 104:25-26 speaks of the sea as a place teeming with countless creatures, including great sea creatures, contrasting with Psalms 74:13, which describes the breaking of sea creatures.
Psalms 104:25-26: [So is] this great and wide sea, wherein [are] things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
Contradiction with Isaiah 27:1
Isaiah 27:1 speaks of punishing Leviathan, a serpent and sea monster, similar to the event in Psalms 74:13, but emphasizes a future event, suggesting ongoing power over chaos rather than a past event of triumph.
Isaiah 27:1: In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that [is] in the sea. [piercing: or, crossing like a bar]
Paradox #1
Psalms 74:13 describes God as having power over the sea and sea creatures, portraying a victorious image over chaos. A potential theological conflict arises when compared to other biblical passages that depict God as a figure of peace and love, rather than one engaging in battle. This contrast can be seen as inconsistent with the unified image of God as solely loving and peaceful.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or inconsistency with Psalms 74:13 relates to the imagery of God defeating sea monsters or dragons. This image does not align clearly with the historical events in the Jewish tradition. Instead, it borrows from ancient Near Eastern myths, like those of Babylon and Canaan, where gods battle sea creatures. This could seem inconsistent with the idea of a monotheistic God having a conflict with mythological creatures.
Paradox #3
The contradiction in this verse could arise from the description of mythical creatures, such as dragons or sea monsters, which are not recognized by modern science as real entities. In scientific terms, there is no evidence for the existence of such creatures, so the passage might be viewed as a mythological or symbolic narrative rather than a factual account.
Paradox #4
The moral conflict in this verse might arise from the depiction of violent imagery, which can seem at odds with messages of peace and love found elsewhere in religious texts. Some may find it challenging to reconcile the portrayal of destructive power with the idea of a benevolent deity. This can lead to questions about the balance between justice and mercy.