Biblical Contradictions

Biblical Contradictions

    Here is a short and incomplete list of Biblical contradictions which were obtained from postings in internet newsgroups.  Unfortunately I did not record who posted them or if they have a web site with a longer and more complete list.  If you like this page you might also like Contradictions of the Gospel and this List of Biblical Contradictions at

    If the Bible was divinely inspired, then why would it have so many really obvious contradictions?

Theological doctrines:
     1. God is satisfied with his works
         Gen 1:31
        God is dissatisfied with his works.
         Gen 6:6
     2. God dwells in chosen temples
         2 Chron 7:12,16
        God dwells not in temples
         Acts 7:48
     3. God dwells in light
         Tim 6:16
        God dwells in darkness
         1 Kings 8:12/ Ps 18:11/ Ps 97:2
     4. God is seen and heard
         Ex 33:23/ Ex 33:11/ Gen 3:9,10/ Gen 32:30/ Is 6:1/
          Ex 24:9-11
        God is invisible and cannot be heard
         John 1:18/ John 5:37/ Ex 33:20/ 1 Tim 6:16
     5. God is tired and rests
         Ex 31:17
        God is never tired and never rests
         Is 40:28
     6. God is everywhere present, sees and knows all things
         Prov 15:3/ Ps 139:7-10/ Job 34:22,21
        God is not everywhere present, neither sees nor knows all   
        things
         Gen 11:5/ Gen 18:20,21/ Gen 3:8
     7. God knows the hearts of men
         Acts 1:24/ Ps 139:2,3
        God tries men to find out what is in their heart
         Deut 13:3/ Deut 8:2/ Gen 22:12
     8. God is all powerful
         Jer 32:27/ Matt 19:26
       God is not all powerful
         Judg 1:19
     9. God is unchangeable
         James 1:17/ Mal 3:6/ Ezek 24:14/ Num 23:19

        God is changeable
         Gen 6:6/ Jonah 3:10/ 1 Sam 2:30,31/ 2 Kings 20:1,4,5,6/
          Ex 33:1,3,17,14
     10. God is just and impartial
          Ps 92:15/ Gen 18:25/ Deut 32:4/ Rom 2:11/ Ezek 18:25
         God is unjust and partial
          Gen 9:25/ Ex 20:5/ Rom 9:11-13/ Matt 13:12
     11. God is the author of evil
          Lam 3:38/ Jer 18:11/ Is 45:7/ Amos 3:6/ Ezek 20:25
         God is not the author of evil
          1 Cor 14:33/ Deut 32:4/ James 1:13
     12. God gives freely to those who ask
          James 1:5/ Luke 11:10
         God withholds his blessings and prevents men from receiving 
         them
          John 12:40/ Josh 11:20/ Is 63:17
     13. God is to be found by those who seek him
          Matt 7:8/ Prov 8:17
         God is not to be found by those who seek him
          Prov 1:28
     14. God is warlike
          Ex 15:3/ Is 51:15
         God is peaceful
          Rom 15:33/ 1 Cor 14:33
     15. God is cruel, unmerciful, destructive, and ferocious
          Jer 13:14/ Deut 7:16/ 1 Sam 15:2,3/ 1 Sam 6:19
         God is kind, merciful, and good
          James 5:11/ Lam 3:33/ 1 Chron 16:34/ Ezek 18:32/ Ps 145:9/
           1 Tim 2:4/ 1 John 4:16/ Ps 25:8
     16. God's anger is fierce and endures long
          Num 32:13/ Num 25:4/ Jer 17:4
         God's anger is slow and endures but for a minute
          Ps 103:8/ Ps 30:5
     17. God commands, approves of, and delights in burnt offerings,
         sacrifices ,and holy days
          Ex 29:36/ Lev 23:27/ Ex 29:18/ Lev 1:9
         God disapproves of and has no pleasure in burnt offerings, 
         sacrifices, and holy days.
          Jer 7:22/ Jer 6:20/ Ps 50:13,4/ Is 1:13,11,12
     18. God accepts human sacrifices
          2 Sam 21:8,9,14/ Gen 22:2/ Judg 11:30-32,34,38,39
         God forbids human sacrifice
          Deut 12:30,31
     19. God tempts men
          Gen 22:1/ 2 Sam 24:1/ Jer 20:7/ Matt 6:13
         God tempts no man
          James 1:13
     20. God cannot lie
          Heb 6:18
         God lies by proxy; he sends forth lying spirits t deceive
          2 Thes 2:11/ 1 Kings 22:23/ Ezek 14:9
     21. Because of man's wickedness God destroys him
          Gen 6:5,7
         Because of man's wickedness God will not destroy him
          Gen 8:21
     22. God's attributes are revealed in his works.
          Rom 1:20
         God's attributes cannot be discovered
          Job 11:7/ Is 40:28
     23. There is but one God
          Deut 6:4
         There is a plurality of gods
          Gen 1:26/ Gen 3:22/ Gen 18:1-3/ 1 John 5:7
 

Moral Precepts

     24. Robbery commanded
          Ex 3:21,22/ Ex 12:35,36
         Robbery forbidden
          Lev 19:13/ Ex 20:15
     25. Lying approved and sanctioned
          Josh 2:4-6/ James 2:25/ Ex 1:18-20/ 1 Kings 22:21,22
         Lying forbidden
          Ex 20:16/ Prov 12:22/ Rev 21:8
     26. Hatred to the Edomite sanctioned
          2 Kings 14:7,3
         Hatred to the Edomite forbidden
          Deut 23:7
     27. Killing commanded
          Ex 32:27
         Killing forbidden
          Ex 20:13
     28. The blood-shedder must die
          Gen 9:5,6
         The blood-shedder must not die
          Gen 4:15
     29. The making of images forbidden
           Ex 20:4
         The making of images commanded
          Ex 25:18,20
     30. Slavery and oppression ordained
          Gen 9:25/ Lev 25:45,46/ Joel 3:8
         Slavery and oppression forbidden
          Is 58:6/ Ex 22:21/ Ex 21:16/ Matt 23:10
     31. Improvidence enjoyed
          Matt 6:28,31,34/ Luke 6:30,35/ Luke 12:3
         Improvidence condemned
          1 Tim 5:8/ Prov 13:22
     32. Anger approved
          Eph 4:26
         Anger disapproved
          Eccl 7:9/ Prov 22:24/ James 1:20
     33. Good works to be seen of men
          Matt 5:16
         Good works not to be seen of men
          Matt 6:1
     34. Judging of others forbidden
          Matt 7:1,2
         Judging of others approved
          1 Cor 6:2-4/ 1 Cor 5:12
      35. Christ taught non-resistance
          Matt 5:39/ Matt 26:52
         Christ taught and practiced physical resistance
          Luke 22:36/ John 2:15
     36. Christ warned his followers not to fear being killed
          Luke 12:4
         Christ himself avoided the Jews for fear of being killed
          John 7:1
     37. Public prayer sanctioned
          1 Kings 8:22,54, 9:3
         Public prayer disapproved
          Matt 6:5,6
     38. Importunity in prayer commended
          Luke 18:5,7
         Importunity in prayer condemned
          Matt 6:7,8
     39. The wearing of long hair by men sanctioned
          Judg 13:5/ Num 6:5
         The wearing of long hair by men condemned
          1 Cor 11:14
     40. Circumcision instituted
          Gen 17:10
         Circumcision condemned
          Gal 5:2
     41. The Sabbath instituted
          Ex 20:8
         The Sabbath repudiated
          Is 1:13/ Rom 14:5/ Col 2:16
     42. The Sabbath instituted because God rested on the seventh day
          Ex 20:11
         The Sabbath instituted because God brought the Israelites  
         out of Egypt
          Deut 5:15
     43. No work to be done on the Sabbath under penalty of death
          Ex 31:15/ Num 15:32,36
         Jesus Christ broke the Sabbath and justified his disciples in
         the same
          John 5:16/ Matt 12:1-3,5
     44. Baptism commanded
          Matt 28:19
         Baptism not commanded
          1 Cor 1:17,14
     45. Every kind of animal allowed for food.
          Gen 9:3/ 1 Cor 10:25/ Rom 14:14
         Certain kinds of animals prohibited for food.
          Deut 14:7,8
      46. Taking of oaths sanctioned
          Num 30:2/ Gen 21:23-24,31/ Gen 31:53/ Heb 6:13
         Taking of oaths forbidden
          Matt 5:34
     47. Marriage approved
          Gen 2:18/ Gen 1:28/ Matt 19:5/ Heb 13:4
         Marriage disapproved
          1 Cor 7:1/ 1 Cor 7:7,8
     48. Freedom of divorce permitted
          Deut 24:1/ Deut 21:10,11,14
         Divorce restricted
          Matt 5:32
     49. Adultery forbidden
          Ex 20:14/ Heb 13:4
         Adultery allowed
          Num 31:18/ Hos 1:2; 2:1-3
     50. Marriage or cohabitation with a sister denounced
          Deut 27:22/ Lev 20:17
         Abraham married his sister and God blessed the union
          Gen 20:11,12/ Gen 17:16
     51. A man may marry his brother's widow
          Deut 25:5
         A man may not marry his brother's widow
          Lev 20:21
     52. Hatred to kindred enjoined
          Luke 14:26
         Hatred to kindred condemned
          Eph 6:2/ Eph 5:25,29
     53. Intoxicating beverages recommended
          Prov 31:6,7/ 1 Tim 5:23/ Ps 104:15
         Intoxicating beverages discountenanced
          Prov 20:1/ Prov 23:31,32
     54. It is our duty to obey our rulers, who are God's ministers 
         and punish evil doers only
          Rom 13:1-3,6
         It is not our duty to obey rulers, who sometimes punish the
         good and receive unto themselves damnation therefor
          Ex 1:17,20/ Dan 3:16,18/ Dan 6:9,7,10/ Acts 4:26,27/
           Mark 12:38,39,40/ Luke 23:11,24,33,35
     55. Women's rights denied
          Gen 3:16/ 1 Tim 2:12/ 1 Cor 14:34/ 1 Pet 3:6
         Women's rights affirmed
          Judg 4:4,14,15/ Judg 5:7/ Acts 2:18/ Acts 21:9
     56. Obedience to masters enjoined
          Col 3:22,23/ 1 Pet 2:18
         Obedience due to God only
          Matt 4:10/ 1 Cor 7:23/ Matt 23:10
     57. There is an unpardonable sin
          Mark 3:29
         There is not unpardonable sin
          Acts 13:39
 

Historical Facts

     58. Man was created after the other animals
          Gen 1:25,26,27
         Man was created before the other animals
          Gen 2:18,19
     59. Seed time and harvest were never to cease
          Gen 8:22
         Seed time and harvest did cease for seven years
          Gen 41:54,56/ Gen 45:6
     60. God hardened Pharaoh's heart
          Ex 4:21/ Ed 9:12
         Pharaoh hardened his own heart
          Ex 8:15
     61. All the cattle and horses in Egypt died
          Ex 9:3,6/ 14:9
       All the horses of Egypt did not die
          Ex 14:9
     62. Moses feared Pharaoh
          Ex 2:14,15,23; 4:19
         Moses did not fear Pharaoh
          Heb 11:27
     63. There died of the plague twenty-four thousand
          Num 25:9
         There died of the plague but twenty-three thousand
          1 Cor 10:8
     64. John the Baptist was Elias
          Matt 11:14
         John the Baptist was not Elias
          John 1:21
     65. The father of Joseph, Mary's husband was Jacob
          Matt 1:16
         The father of Mary's husband was Heli
          Luke 3:23
     66. The father of Salah was Arphaxad
          Gen 11:12
         The father of Salah was Cainan
          Luke 3:35,36
     67. There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David
          Matt 1:17
         There were but thirteen generations from Abraham to David
          Matt 1:2-6
     68. There were fourteen generations from the Babylonian captivity
         to Christ.
          Matt 1:17
         There were but thirteen generations from the Babylonian    
         captivity to Christ
          Matt 1:12-16
     69. The infant Christ was taken into Egypt
          Matt 2:14,15,19,21,23
         The infant Christ was not taken into Egypt
          Luke 2:22, 39
     70. Christ was tempted in the wilderness
          Mark 1:12,13
         Christ was not tempted in the wilderness
          John 2:1,2
     71. Christ preached his first sermon on the mount
          Matt 5:1,2
         Christ preached his first sermon on the plain
          Luke 6:17,20
     72. John was in prison when Jesus went into Galilee
          Mark 1:14
         John was not in prison when Jesus went into Galilee
          John 1:43/ John 3:22-24
     73. Christ's disciples were commanded to go forth with a staff 
         and sandals
          Mark 6:8,9
         Christ's disciples were commanded to go forth with neither
         staffs nor sandals.
          Matt 10:9,10
     74. A woman of Canaan besought Jesus
          Matt 15:22
         It was a Greek woman who besought Him
          Mark 7:26
     75. Two blind men besought Jesus
          Matt 20:30
         Only one blind man besought Him
          Luke 18:35,38
     76. Christ was crucified at the third hour
          Mark 15:25
         Christ was not crucified until the sixth hour
          John 19:14,15
     77. The two thieves reviled Christ.
          Matt 27:44/ Mark 15:32
         Only one of the thieves reviled Christ
          Luke 23:39,40
     78. Satan entered into Judas while at supper
          John 13:27
         Satan entered into him before the supper
          Luke 22:3,4,7
     79. Judas committed suicide by hanging
          Matt 27:5
         Judas did not hang himself, but died another way
          Acts 1:18
     80. The potter's field was purchased by Judas
          Acts 1:18
         The potter's field was purchased by the Chief Priests
          Matt 27:6,7
     81. There was but one woman who came to the sepulchre
          John 20:1
         There were two women who came to the sepulchre
          Matt 28:1
     82. There were three women who came to the sepulchre
          Mark 16:1
         There were more than three women who came to the sepulchre
          Luke 24:10
     83. It was at sunrise when they came to the sepulchre
          Mark 16:2
        It was some time before sunrise when they came.
          John 20:1
     84. There were two angels seen by the women at the sepulchre, and
         they were standing up.
          Luke 24:4
         There was but one angel seen, and he was sitting down.
          Matt 28:2,5
     85. There were two angels seen within the sepulchre.
          John 20:11,12
         There was but one angel seen within the sepulchre
          Mark 16:5
     86. Christ was to be three days and three nights in the grave
          Matt 12:40
         Christ was but two days and two nights in the grave
          Mark 15:25,42,44,45,46; 16:9>
     87. Holy ghost bestowed at pentecost
          Acts 1:8,5
         Holy ghost bestowed before pentecost
          John 20:22
     88. The disciples were commanded immediately after the         
         resurrection to go into Galilee
          Matt 28:10
         The disciples were commanded immediately after the         
         resurrection to go tarry at Jerusalem
          Luke 24:49
     89. Jesus first appeared to the eleven disciples in a room at  
         Jerusalem
          Luke 24:33,36,37/ John 20:19
         Jesus first appeared to the eleven on a mountain in Galilee
          Matt 28:16,17
     90. Christ ascended from Mount Olivet
          Acts 1:9,12
         Christ ascended from Bethany
          Luke 24:50,51
    91. Paul's attendants heard the miraculous voice, and stood    
         speechless
          Acts 9:7
         Paul's attendants heard not the voice and were prostrate
          Acts 26:14
     92. Abraham departed to go into Canaan
          Gen 12:5
         Abraham went not knowing where
          Heb 11:8
     93. Abraham had two sons
          Gal 4:22
         Abraham had but one son
          Heb 11:17
     94. Keturah was Abraham's wife
          Gen 25:1
         Keturah was Abraham's concubine
          1 Chron 1:32
     95. Abraham begat a son when he was a hundred years old, by the
         interposition of Providence
          Gen 21:2/ Rom 4:19/ Heb 11:12
         Abraham begat six children more after he was a hundred years
         old without any interposition of providence
          Gen 25:1,2
     96. Jacob bought a sepulchre from Hamor
          Josh 24:32
         Abraham bought it of Hamor
          Acts 7:16
     97. God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his seed    
         forever
          Gen 13:14,15,17; 17:8
         Abraham and his seed never received the promised land
          Acts 7:5/ Heb 11:9,13
     98. Goliath was slain by Elhanan
          2 Sam 21:19 *note, was changed in translation to be      
           correct.  Original manuscript was incorrect>
         The brother of Goliath was slain by Elhanan
          1 Chron 20:5
     99. Ahaziah began to reign in the twelfth year of Joram
          2 Kings 8:25
         Ahaziah began to reign in the eleventh year of Joram
          2 Kings 9:29
     100. Michal had no child
           2 Sam 6:23
          Michal had five children
           2 Sam 21:8
     101. David was tempted by the Lord to number Israel
           2 Sam 24:1
          David was tempted by Satan to number the people
           1 Chron 21:1
     102. The number of fighting men of Israel was 800,000; and of  
          Judah 500,000
           2 Sam 24:9
          The number of fighting men of Israel was 1,100,000; and of
          Judah 470,000
           1 Chron 21:5
     103. David sinned in numbering the people
           2 Sam 24:10
          David never sinned, except in the matter of Uriah
          1 Kings 15:5
     104. One of the penalties of David's sin was seven years of    
          famine.
           2 Sam 24:13
          It was not seven years, but three years of famine
           1 Chron 21:11,12
     105. David took seven hundred horsemen
           2 Sam 8:4
          David took seven thousand horsemen
           1 Chron 18:4
     106. David bought a threshing floor for fifty shekels of silver
           2 Sam 24:24
          David bought the threshing floor for six hundred shekels of
          gold
           1 Chron 21:25
     107. David's throne was to endure forever.
           Ps 89:35-37
          David's throne was cast down
           Ps 89:44
 

Speculative Doctrines

      108. Christ is equal with God
           John 10:30/ Phil 2:5
          Christ is not equal with God
           John 14:28/ Matt 24:36
     109. Jesus was all-powerful
           Matt 28:18/ John 3:35
          Jesus was not all-powerful
           Mark 6:5
     110. The law was superseded by the Christian dispensation
           Luke 16:16/ Eph 2:15/ Rom 7:6
          The law was not superseded by the Christian dispensation
           Matt 5:17-19
     111. Christ's mission was peace
           Luke 2:13,14
          Christ's mission was not peace
           Matt 10:34
     112. Christ received not testimony from man
           John 5:33,34
          Christ did receive testimony from man
           John 15:27
     113. Christ's witness of himself is true.
           John 8:18,14
          Christ's witness of himself is not true.
           John 5:31
     114. Christ laid down his life for his friends
           John 15:13/ John 10:11
          Christ laid down his life for his enemies
           Rom 5:10
     115. It was lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death
           John 19:7
          It was not lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death
           John 18:31
     116. Children are punished for the sins of the parents
           Ex 20:5
          Children are not punished for the sins of the parents
           Ezek 18:20
     117. Man is justified by faith alone
           Rom 3:20/ Gal 2:16/ Gal 3:11,12/ Rom 4:2
          Man is not justified by faith alone
           James 2:21,24/ Rom 2:13
     118. It is impossible to fall from grace
           John 10:28/ Rom 8:38,39
          It is possible to fall from grace
           Ezek 18:24/ Heb 6:4-6, 2 Pet 2:20,21
     119. No man is without sin
           1 Kings 8:46/ Prov 20:9/ Eccl 7:20/ Rom 3:10
         Christians are sinless
           1 John 3: 9,6,8
     120. There is to be a resurrection of the dead
           1 Cor 15:52/ Rev 20:12,13/ Luke 20:37/ 1 Cor 15:16
          There is to be no resurrection of the dead
           Job 7:9/ Eccl 9:5/ Is 26:14
     121. Reward and punishment to be bestowed in this world
           Prov 11:31
          Reward and punishment to be bestowed in the next world
           Rev 20:12/ Matt 16:27/ 2 Cor 5:10
     122. Annihilation the portion of all mankind
           Job 3: 11,13-17,19-22/ Eccl 9:5,10/ Eccl 3:19,20
          Endless misery the portion of all mankind
           Matt 25:46/ Rev 20:10,15/ Rev 14:11/ Dan 12:2
     123. The Earth is to be destroyed
           2 Pet 3:10/ Heb 1:11/ Rev 20:11
          The Earth is never to be destroyed
           Ps 104:5/ Eccl 1:4
     124. No evil shall happen to the godly
           Prov 12:21/ 1 Pet 3:13
          Evil does happen to the godly
           Heb 12:6/ Job 2:3,7
     125. Worldly good and prosperity are the lot of the godly
           Prov 12:21/ Ps 37:28,32,33,37/ Ps 1:1,3/ Gen 39:2/
            Job 42:12
          Worldly misery and destitution the lot of the godly
           Heb 11:37,38/ Rev 7:14/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Luke 21:17
     126. Worldly prosperity a reward of righteousness and a blessing
           Mark 10:29,30/ Ps 37:25/ Ps 112:1,3/ Job 22:23,24/
            Prov 15:6
          Worldly prosperity a curse and a bar to future reward
           Luke 6:20,24/ Matt 6:19,21/ Luke 16:22/ Matt 19:24/
            Luke 6:24
     127. The Christian yoke is easy
           Matt 11:28,29,30
          The Christian yoke is not easy
           John 16:33/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Heb 12:6,8
     128. The fruit of God's spirit is love and gentleness
           Gal 5:22
          The fruit of God's spirit is vengeance and fury
           Judg 15:14/ 1 Sam 18:10,11
     129. Longevity enjoyed by the wicked
           Job 21:7,8/ Ps 17:14/ Eccl 8:12/ Is 65:20
          Longevity denied to the wicked
           Eccl 8:13/ Ps 55:23/ Prov 10:27/ Job 36:14/ Eccl 7:17
     130. Poverty a blessing
           Luke 6:20,24/ Jams 2:5
          Riches a blessing
           Prov 10:15/ Job 22:23,24/ Job 42:12
          Neither poverty nor riches a blessing
           Prov 30:8,9
     131. Wisdom a source of enjoyment
           Prov 3:13,17
          Wisdom a source of vexation, grief and sorrow
           Eccl 1:17,18
     132. A good name is a blessing
           Eccl 7:1/ Prov 22:1
          A good name is a curse
           Luke 6:26
     133. Laughter commended
           Eccl 3:1,4/ Eccl 8:15
          Laughter condemned
           Luke 6:25/ Eccl 7:3,4
     134. The rod of correction a remedy for foolishness
           Prov 22:15
          There is no remedy for foolishness
           Prov 27:22
     135. A fool should be answered according to his folly
           Prov 26:5
       A fool should not be answered according to his folly
           Prov 26:4
     136. Temptation to be desired
           James 1:2
          Temptation not to be desired
           Matt 6:13
     137. Prophecy is sure
           2 Pet 1:19
          Prophecy is not sure
           Jer 18:7-10
     138. Man's life was to be one hundred and twenty years
           Gen 6:3/ Ps 90:10
          Man's life is but seventy years
           Ps 90:10
     139. The fear of man was to be upon every beast
           Gen 9:2
          The fear of man is not upon the lion
           Prov 30:30
     140. Miracles a proof of divine mission
           Matt 11:2-5/ John 3:2/ Ex 14:31
          Miracles not a proof of divine mission
           Ex 7:10-12/ Deut 13:1-3/ Luke 11:19
     141. Moses was a very meek man
            Num 12:3
          Moses was a very cruel man
           Num 31:15,17
     142. Elijah went up to heaven
           2 Kings 2:11
          None but Christ ever ascended into heaven
           John 3:13
     143. All scripture is inspired
           2 Tim 3:16
          Some scripture is not inspired
           1 Cor 7:6/ 1 Cor 7:12/ 2 Cor 11:17