Contradiction with Jeremiah 32:37
This verse speaks of God gathering and bringing back His people to their land, contrasting Zechariah 14:2's description of their capture and scattering.
Jeremiah 32:37: Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:
Contradiction with Isaiah 54:7
Here, God promises to gather His people with great mercies, which contradicts the perception of abandonment in Zechariah 14:2.
Isaiah 54:7: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 24:14
This verse records the exile of people from Jerusalem, reflecting historical captivity rather than a future prophecy, making it a contextual contrast to Zechariah 14:2.
2 Kings 24:14: And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, [even] ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
Contradiction with Psalm 147:2
The verse describes God building up Jerusalem and gathering the outcasts, in contrast to the destruction and captivity in Zechariah 14:2.
Psalm 147:2: The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 29:14
God promises to turn away the captivity and gather His people from all nations, which opposes the scattering mentioned in Zechariah 14:2.
Jeremiah 29:14: And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 11:17
This verse speaks of gathering and restoring the people to the land of Israel, contrasting the division and capture in Zechariah 14:2.
Ezekiel 11:17: Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.
Paradox #1
Zechariah 14:2 talks about God gathering all the nations to battle against Jerusalem. Some people might see a contradiction here with the idea of God being peaceful or protecting Jerusalem. It could be hard to understand why God would let or even cause such trouble for the city. However, others interpret this event as part of a larger divine plan, where even difficult events lead to eventual peace and restoration. Different interpretations exist, which can lead to perceived contradictions but are often reconciled within broader theological contexts.
Paradox #2
Zechariah 14:2 describes a future event involving conflict and destruction, which could seem inconsistent with the idea of a loving and just God as portrayed in other parts of the Bible. Some people might see a contradiction between this depiction of divine judgment and teachings that emphasize peace and forgiveness. However, others interpret it as a part of a larger narrative about justice and ultimate redemption.
Paradox #3
Zechariah 14:2 speaks about a future event concerning Jerusalem. The contradiction or conflict could arise from differing interpretations of the timing and nature of these events. Some see it as a prophecy of past historical events, while others interpret it as a future occurrence, creating conflict about its fulfillment. There may also be inconsistencies when comparing this with other prophetic texts which might describe similar events differently, leading to debates among scholars and theologians on its precise meaning and relevance to historical or future events.
Paradox #4
The potential conflict with the description in that verse could relate to historical or archaeological evidence. If the events described don't align with known history, or if there is no archaeological evidence supporting such events, this might be seen as a contradiction. However, interpretations can vary, and some see it as a prophetic or symbolic message rather than a historical account.
Paradox #5
The contradiction in Zechariah 14:2 could be seen in the depiction of violence and suffering, which contrasts with teachings about love and compassion found elsewhere in the Bible. This might be troubling for those who struggle to reconcile a God who allows or commands such events with the concept of a loving and merciful deity.