For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Who was Libni’s father?
Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:
Gershon
“The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families.” (Exodus 6:17)
“These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei;” (Numbers 3:18)
“These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.” (1 Chronicles 6:17)
Mahli
“The sons of Merari were Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,” (1 Chronicles 6:29)
(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 website’s track record of inaccurate handling of biblical passages. See the many examples of their error we have responded to here in this post: Collection of Posts Responding to Bible Contradictions. Of course that does not take away the need to respond to this post, which is what the remainder of the post will do. But this observation should caution us to slow down and look more closely at the passages the Skeptic Annotated Bible cited and see if they interpreted the passages properly to support their conclusion that it is a Bible contradiction.
- The skeptic tries to pit three passages (Exodus 6:17, Numbers 3:18 and 1 Chronicles 6:17) as claiming “Libni’s father was Gershon” against 1 Chronicles 6:29 as claiming “Libni’s father was Mahli.“
- The skeptics here did rightly interpreted all four verses.
- However one must remember that there can be more than person with the same name. It seems this is what is going on here.
- Note the chapter of 1 Chronicles 6 is mentioned in both the case for “Libni’s father was Gershon” and “Libni’s father was Mahli.” In the context 1 Chronicles 6:16 it says “The sons of Levi were Gershom, Kohath and Merari” and we see this is talking about the descendants of the tribe of Levi. Likewise we know its talking about the tribe of Levi looking at the context of Numbers 3:18 and Exodus 6:17.
- Again looking at 1 Chronicles 6:16 it says “The sons of Levi were Gershom, Kohath and Merari” we see who were the three sons of Levi.
- 1 Chronicles 6:29 focuses on the descendants of Mahli (one of the three sons of Levi). 1 Chronicles 6:17 focuses on Gershon’s descendants (one of the three sons of Levi).
- Two different sons of Levi having a son name Libni is logically speaking not a contradiction.
- Consider how in history people can have the same names but that does not mean they are the same person especially if they live during different time period with different genealogical background.
- I think of the example of how we have a fifteen century German monk name Martin Luther and how there’s also Martin Luther King in Twentieth Century United States. They are examples of two different persons, with the same name.
- I think also the example in my wife’s family genealogy where there’s a lot of Sarah, and Mary in each generations (and sometimes within one generation group multiple individuals with that name, as different aunts and uncles name their own kids name Mary and Sarah!).
- There is no contradiction here. Seems the skeptic needs to learn of How to Handle Bible Contradictions.
- 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.”
This is a rather weak attempt by the Skeptic, a bit desperate really. You really don’t need to go far in the Old Testament account before you find folk with the same name within extended families.
It’s a weak one! And it’s crazy the skeptic Steve Wells who have this on his site would think this is a legitimate contradiction!!! How is your day going so far?
I am a lot better now from my Cellulitis outbreak praise God. I am still quite tired and lacking in strength from it, but that will improve I am sure. Thank you for your concern and prayers brother. 👍😁
Excellent refutation. He uses the same canard in other locations. Different people, same name.
Blessings.
Exactly Michael, it is different people but with the same name! It shouldn’t be rocket science, but it seems like a skeptic who has an ax to grind, what should be simple is now something they miss, making fools of themselves. How are you today?
Excellent. Spent a lot of time on the commentary.
You made a good point from your family having a lot of Mary and Sarah. We have a lot of John and Anne
Thanks for your own example affirming that
I can think of more examples after this
Good reminder: “one must remember that there can be more than person with the same name”
Indeed that’s what it boils down to!
I think skeptics non-believers go looking for contradictions in scripture to try and prove their case for non-belief. Poor creatures going to the source they deny to prove their case and thereby, demonstrate their own contradictory state. I don’t have the mind or heart to debate them, not what I’m geared for, so I pray for them. They’re just lost.
Praying for them might be better than debating them; though there’s places to answer them. I try not to get into wrangling these days and try to write these posts answering them rigorously but avoid comment wars. How goes your day?
I’m doing well, Jim. I wasn’t criticizing. I’m not good at digging out all of the facts at the right time. It’s not my calling but some are gifted in refuting the lies people hold onto. Still, their minds won’t change until Jesus changes their heart. The thing about scripture is you have to believe to be able to comprehend it; all scripture is spiritually discerned. Still it’s very good to have guys like you around who are able to back it up with scriptural fact. I think I’m probably just a little toe in the body of Christ. lol
Oh don’t worry I didn’t take it as criticism at all! Hope your day is going well?
Yes…wet and dreary in Missouri, but I’m warm and happy lol very blessed.
How are you, Jim?
I am doing well! Things are so different this past year compared to everything after 2020… I am blessed!
Yes, very different for me too but still not the normalacy I’d like to see. There’s a billboard by the highway here that says “Normal isn’t coming back but Jesus is!” That’s good enough for me. Happiness and an abundant life is my prayer for you in 2024
It’s laughable what the nonbelievers have to make up to lie about the Bible
Funny the skeptics annotated Bible won’t touch the Hindu Vedas and Buddhist sutra
He should think about taking on the contradiction within his own atheist worldview! See my last point
Thanks for refuting another one of Steve/Stephen Wells’ same-name false contradictions. I did some googling and discovered there are 1400+ “Stephen Wells” listed in LinkedIn’s database. Wells better contact LinkedIn and let them know there’s a lot of people out there masquerading as himself!
Wow good work: “ I did some googling and discovered there are 1400+ “Stephen Wells” listed in LinkedIn’s database. Wells better contact LinkedIn and let them know there’s a lot of people out there masquerading as himself!” could I use this in a future post and giving you the credit???
Thanks! You may surely use and no need to credit me. 🧐
[…] Who was Libni’s father? […]
This is an absolute farce/joke from Wells. If I was a skeptic I would honestly be embarrassed on this one. There’s how many James, Mary, Anne, Andrew’s in the world?! Honestly, for any skeptic that thinks this is a mic drop moment may God open their deceived minds/hearts!!!!!!
Like you said “There’s how many James, Mary, Anne, Andrew’s in the world?!”
It’s embarrassing how many of these types of alleged Bible contradictions the Skeptic Annotated Bible has, and I’m surprised as I work through these slowly, how many of them still pop up!
PS: I hope you are able to get the book you wanted!
Yes and Baker’s new Numbers book http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/numbers/284110 do you happen to have any of their OT commentaries?! They are very good!!!
I have the one on Ecclesiastes!
[…] 4.) Bible Contradiction? Who was Libni’s father? […]
Thank you for smoothing out any possible contradictions. As you have pointed out, different generations may use the same name, whether in Scripture or in man’s world.
Thank you for reading this explanation!
[…] Who was Libni’s father? […]