For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Was Mahli the son of Levi?
Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction (along with the wording by the skeptics of additional thoughts):
Yes, Mahli was Levi’s son.
“According to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of insight of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, and his sons and brothers, 18 men” (Ezra 8:18)
No.
Mahli was not the son of Levi.
“The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari..” (Genesis 46:11, 1 Chronicles 6:1, 6:16)
“David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.” (1 Chronicles 23:6)
“These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon and Kohath and Merari; and the length of Levi’s life was one hundred and thirty-seven years.” (Exodus 6:16)
He was the son of Merari.
“The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.” (Numbers 3:20)
“The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.” (1 Chronicles 6:19, 23:21)
“The sons of Merari, Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah, Beno.” (1 Chronicles 24:26)
(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)
Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:
- When dealing with skeptics’ claim of Bible contradictions it seems one can never be reminded enough of what exactly is a contradiction. A contradiction occurs when two or more claims conflict with one another so that they cannot simultaneously be true in the same sense and at the same time. To put it another way, a Bible contradiction exists when there are claims within the Bible that are mutually exclusive in the same sense and at the same time.
- One should be skeptical of whether this is a Bible contradiction given the Skeptic Annotated Bible’s track record of inaccurately handling the Bible. See the many examples of their error which we have responded to in this post: Collection of Posts Responding to Bible Contradictions. Of course that does not take away the need to respond to this claim of a contradiction, which is what the remainder of this post will do. But this observation should caution us to slow down and look more closely at the passages cited by the Skeptic Annotated Bible to see if they interpreted the passages properly to support their conclusion that it is a Bible contradiction.
- The skeptic tries to pit Ezra 8:18 which affirm “Mahli was Levi’s son” against all the other verses which the skeptic thinks denies “Mahli was Levi’s son.”
- The skeptic cited Genesis 46:11, 1 Chronicles 6:1, 6:16, 1 Chronicles 23:6 and Exodus 6:16 as proof that “Mahli was not the son of Levi” (his words). But those passage doesn’t deny that Mahli was the son of Levi. There’s absence of any mention of Mahli in those verses. The absence of any mention of Mahli as the son of Levi in those verses doesn’t mean its evidence that Mahli was not the son of Levi. The skeptic seems to have a problem with remembering that the absence of evidence is not an evidence of absence.
- The skeptic then cited three verses to assert “He was the son of Merari” (his own words). These verses cited are Numbers 3:20, 1 Chronicles 6:19, 23:21 and 1 Chronicles 24:26. Those verses were properly interpreted by the skeptic and does show Mahli was the son of Merari.
- When Ezra 8:18 stated “Mahli was Levi’s son” it used the Hebrew word בֵּן. This is important in resolving this alleged Bible contradiction.
- If Levi is the father of Merari who then is also the father of Mahli then there is not a contradiction here in light of the use of Hebrew term for “son” to say Mahli was the son of Merari and the “son” of Levi. The range of meaning for בֵּן include “son” but it can also be translate in English as “grandson.”
- We see this in Genesis 31:55 where Laban kisses his grandchildren though it uses the Hebrew word בֵּן. The Hebrew word for son allows for its use to include grandson.
- We have also seen instance of this Hebrew word meaning “grandson” in the Old Testament in our previous post “Who Was Achan’s father?“
- Another example of the Hebrew word בֵּן meaning “grandson can be seen in our previous post “Who was Laban’s father?“
- Still yet another example of the Hebrew word בֵּן meaning “grandson can be seen in our previous post “
- Was Zechariah Iddo’s son or grandson?“
- Yet one more example of the Hebrew word בֵּן meaning “grandson” can be seen in our post “Was Jehu the son or grandson of Nimshi?“
- And another example: “Who was Korah’s father?“
- Finally there’s the example of the Hebrew word בֵּן meaning “grandson” in our post “Were Naaman and Ard the sons or the grandsons of Benjamin?“
- Thus there is no contradiction here if we understand that the Hebrew word בֵּן can mean both “son” and “grandson.”
- Some might object that the possible range of meaning for בֵּן meaning “son” and “grandson” is illegitimate since there’s two possible meaning of the term when one should have one meaning. But that’s a terrible objection. Terms can have more than one meaning in many languages and not just with Hebrew. For instance consider the lexical range of meaning for the English word Whoppers and the Word “Left”.
- We shouldn’t miss that worldviews are at play even with the skeptic’s objection to Christianity. The worldview of the author of the Skeptic Annotated Bible actually doesn’t even allow for such a thing as the law of non-contradiction to be meaningful and intelligible. In other words for him to try to disprove the Bible by pointing out that there’s a Bible contradiction doesn’t even make sense within his own worldview. Check out our post “Skeptic Annotated Bible Author’s Self-Defeating Worldview.”
[…] Was Mahli the son of Levi? […]
Thanks for this thorough refutation of another of Steve/Stephen Well’s alleged contradictions. I feel sorry for Wells who keeps cherry picking these son/grandson “contradictions” and thus repeatedly displaying his ignorance of the the basics of Hebrew language and culture. This is embarrassing “scholarship.”
Its crazy how many low quality handling of the biblical text are behind his alleged Bible contradictions. I saw he’s added another alleged Bible contradictions to his list recently…guess what kind it was? Another Hebrew son/grandson type of alleged contradiction! This guy is something…how is your step today brother and what’s the weather like?
Oy vey! Wells is milking the son/grandson “contradiction” for every last drop. My 8th grade grammar school teacher would have barked at him for grasping at straws. We’ve got 48F and cloudy here in ROC. Only 3.8K steps so far. I’m at the library supposedly working on my resume and need to take another long walk along the Erie Canal. How’s your steps look today and what’s the weather in LA? I actually published a post this morning that was “somewhat about” your fine city.
48 degrees?! That’s too cold to be walking by a lake lol. That’s the desert and tropic Marine part of me speaking. When does snow start usually for you guys? I’m looking forward to your post and I hope to put up a fun weekend reading review later today
We usually start to see some flurries the 1st week of November and then it’s 6 months of snow! Thanks! Got my weekend roundup already locked and loaded!
I read Genesis 31 in my morning study! Very cool explanation, my friend, thank you!
Providence! Just FYI my prep is completed though I’ll still be editing things. Thank you so
Much for your prayers. Also neat to see your post on HC.
I’m so glad to hear you finished that prep, brother, I’m praying now for your trip and for your continued strength!
If a skeptic is going to reject God because of the question of who is Mahli’s father, that’s rather trivial…and still he’s wrong with saying this is a contradiction.
Great work you have done refuting this contradiction.
Thanks! Are you still near your church and place for evangelism in your new place?
Yes I am, nothing has changed. Praise God.
If only this skeptic had the same fervor he had for preconceptions for what the Bible really says, he would be saved.
Some “contradictions”, like this one, really are laughable. Wikipedia even not only states that the accounts of Abijam’s and Asa’s parentages are contradictory, they state that “no” explanation is compelling. They don’t give an example of course, but provide a single scholarly reference:
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=d4jn8uj49RIC&pg=PA191&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
His reasoning? He can’t grasp the fact that “mother” and “grandmother” are the same word in Hebrew, as are “daughter” and granddaughter”, and then concludes that the accounts of Maacah’s parentage are contradictory (failing to fathom that “daughter of Absalom” means “granddaughter of Absalom”), and then concludes that Maacah and Michaiah are two different women.
And when I tried to correct the Wikipedia article, I was told that “you can’t dismiss scholarly opinion just because you disagree with it”. When “scholarly” opinion is that shoddy, I darn well will dismiss it!
Such a good example for explaining the essentials of the gospel!
We put a link to it on our blog. Tx
https://jesaja662.wordpress.com/the-gospel/i-want-to-share-the-gospel-but-how/
[…] 2.) Bible Contradiction? Was Mahli the son of Levi? […]
I don’t believe the skeptics when they say the Bible has a contradiction. No sir, I don’t believe it.
Hi,
I want to share some very important news that has been spreading around the internet concerning our future well being.
Throughout the Bible, God uses the number 3 as confirmation of things. Here are a few examples:
“For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one” (1 John 5:7 NKJV).
“and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4 NKJV).
“…Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8 NKJV).
“Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads” (Revelation 4:2-4).
The Bible warns us in the end times that a false prophet will rise up doing miracles to deceive many to receive this mark:
“Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image” (Revelation 19:20).
No matter the cost, DO NOT TAKE IT!
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:9-11).
The Bible tells us that the Antichrist will seat himself in this temple:
“…and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
Jesus says, “And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven'” (Luke 10:18).
Why do we need Jesus?
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 2:23).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Our good works cannot save us. If we step before a judge, being guilty of a crime, the judge will not judge us by the good that we have done, but rather the crimes we have committed. If we as fallen humanity, created in God’s image, pose this type of justice, how much more a perfect, righteous, and Holy God?
God has brought down His moral law’s through the 10 commandments given to Moses at Mt. Siani. These laws were not given so we may be justified, but so that we may see the need for a savior. They are the mirrior of God’s character of what He has put in each and every one of us, with our concious bearing witness that we know that it is wrong to steal, lie, dishonor our parents, and so forth.
We can try and follow the moral laws of the 10 commandments, but we will never catch up to them to be justified before a Holy God. That same word of the law given to Moses became flesh over 2000 years ago in the body of Jesus Christ. He came to be our justification by fullfilling the law, living a sinless perfect life that only God could fulfill.
The gap between us and the law can never be reconciled by our own merit, but the arm of Jesus is stretched out by the grace and mercy of God. And if we are to grab on, through faith in Him, He will pull us up being the one to justify us. As in the court of law, if someone steps in and pays your fine, even though you are guilty, the judge can do what is legal and just and let you go free. This is what Jesus did almost 2000 years ago on the cross. It was a legal transaction being fulfilled in the spritual realm by the shedding of His blood, with His last words being, “…It is finished!…” (John 19:30).
Now why did Jesus have to die for us?
Because God is Holy and just, the wrath that we deserve could not go unoticed. Through the perfect righteousness and justice of God’s character, it must be dealt with, it must be quenched and satisfied.
For God takes no death in the pleasure of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). This is why in Isaiah chapter 53, where it speaks of the coming Messiah and His soul being a sacrifice for our sins, why it says it pleased God to crush His only begotten Son.
This is because the wrath that we deserve was justified by being poured out upon His Son. For if it was poured out upon us who deserve it, we would all die and go to hell. God created a way of escape by pouring it out on His Son who’s soul could not be left in hades, but was raised and seated at the right hand of God in power.
So now when we put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14), God no longer see’s the person who deserves His wrath, but rather the glorious image of His perfect Son dwelling in us, justifing us as if we received the wrath we deserve, making a way of escape from the curse of death.
Now what we must do is repent and trust in the savior, confessing and forsaking our sins. This is not just a head knowledge of believing in Jesus, but rather receiving His words, taking them to heart. Where we no longer live to practice sin, but rather turn from our sins and practice righteousness:
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
By doing so we may become transformed into the image of God through faith in His Son Christ Jesus Who is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask of Him:
“Most assuredly, I(Jesus) say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:5-6).
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9).
What are you waiting for? Our Father in heaven only wants the best for us, restoring everything this world has stolen from us. This is what it means to by “holy”. To be made whole.
He is waiting to hear from you. That God given tongue to speak language, through faith, pray to Him, ask Him to forgive you by confessing your sins and be willing to forsake them; that you accept the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross, and that you want His Holy Spirit living inside you transforming you into a child of God.
Jesus says, “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him(the Holy Spirit) will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Did you know that Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else, even more than he spoke about heaven?! For this very reason He came to die for us, to rescue us from this place that we deserve.
He describes hell as a real place where,
“Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44)
And where,
“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth…” (Luke 13:28).
Jesus tells us who to fear,
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’
Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’
And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'” (Revelation 21:1-8).
The Bible is the most translated and read book in the history of the world, full of predictive prophecies, matching what we find in the book of nature. Wouldn’t you expect God’s word to be so?
God loves you!
Such a long comment I was disappointed to read this and discover it wasn’t about the post and exegesis of the passage that the article was talking about. Oh well Happy Thanksgiving!
The skeptic just got fact checked!
[…] Paying attention to the skeptics’ interpretative method helps us to refute additional alleged contradictions skeptics might give. For example the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked Was Zechariah Iddo’s son or grandson? which I refuted. I notice the skeptic’s lack of knowledge of the original language hindered the skeptics’ ability to properly interpret the passages by committing a word study fallacy. Knowing the skeptic has committed this error made it easy to see through other alleged Bible contradictions related to “son” such as Was Jehu the son or grandson of Nimshi? and Was Mahli the son of Levi? […]
[…] Was Mahli the son of Levi? […]
I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of people saying this is a contradiction come judgment day. They be in for a big surprise with their slander of God’s Word
[…] as not being contradictions at all. For instance in my response to the skeptics claim of Was Mahli the son of Levi? I argue from the Hebrew that the word בֵּן usually translated “son” can also be […]
Thank you for getting to the bottom of this. As long as the skeptics think no one is looking up the Bible for themselves and refuting them, they think they can get away with it. Sickening.
Have you notice leftist politicians and media use the same tactics? Makes you wonder who their spiritual fathers are…
Only a superficial reading would make one think its a Bible contradiction. That is because the Bible doesn’t contradict. So if a person thinks it does, I know they have taken those verses out of context and not studied them at all nor accurately.
I’m no Hebrew or Greek scholar, but I know the word translated “son” can also be grandson and progeny. I can’t read hearts but seeing the pattern one can conclude the skeptic is after the number of alleged contradictions rather than quality of alleged contradictions.
[…] CHRISTIAN: We don’t have a contradiction here at all. <Insert response> […]
[…] Was Mahli the son of Levi? […]