Bible Contradiction? Were the Israelites to spare the trees in the countries they invaded?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked:Were the Israelites to spare the trees in the countries they invaded?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and cut down every good tree and stop up all the springs of water, and spoil every good plot of land with stones.’”” (2 Kings 3:19)

No

“When you besiege a city for a long time, to make war against it in order to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them; for you may eat from them, so you shall not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a human, that it should ^[b]be besieged by you?” (Deuteronomy 20:19)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Who bought the sepulcher in Shechem from the sons of Hamor?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Who bought the sepulcher in Shechem from the sons of Hamor?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Jacob

“Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the plot of land which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph’s sons.” (Joshua 24:32)

Abraham

“And they were brought back from there to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.” (Acts 7:16)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? What animals must you sacrifice each day?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: What animals must you sacrifice each day?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

A bullock and two lambs

“Each day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement, and you shall purify the altar when you make atonement for it, and you shall anoint it to consecrate it. 37 For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it; then the altar shall be most holy, and whatever touches the altar shall be holy. 38 “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two one-year-old lambs each day, continuously. 39 The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight;” (Exodus 29:36-39)

Two lambs (without a bullock)

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be careful to present to Me My offering, My food for My offerings by fire, of a soothing aroma to Me, at their appointed time.’ 3 And you shall say to them, ‘This is the offering by fire which you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs one year old without defect as a continual burnt offering every day. 4 You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight;” (Numbers 28:1-4)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Is it OK to use perfume?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Is it OK to use perfume?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes

Perfume rejoices the heart.

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, And a person’s advice is sweet to his friend.” (Proverbs 27:9)

Esther used it to impress the king. (And she was one of God’s favorite women.)

“So it came about, when the command and decree of the king were heard and many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king’s palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. 9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice female attendants from the king’s palace, and transferred her and her attendants to the best place in the harem. 10 Esther did not reveal her people or her kindred, because Mordecai had instructed her that she was not to reveal them. 11 And every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the courtyard of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her. 12 Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beauty treatment were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with balsam oil and the cosmetics for women” (Esther 2:8-12)

The author of the Song of Solomon was a big fan of perfume.

“What is this coming up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the scented powders of the merchant?” (Song of Solomon 3:6)

“How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much [a]sweeter is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than that of all kinds of balsam oils!” ( Song of Solomon 4:10)

“I arose to open to my beloved; And my hands dripped with myrrh, And my fingers with drops of myrrh, On the handles of the bolt.” (Song of Solomon 5:5)

And perfume was poured on Jesus’s feet.

“Mary then took a ^[a]pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3)

No, they are unclean

Perfume is for God, not you.

“And the incense which you shall make, you shall not make in the same proportions for yourselves; it shall be holy to you for the Lord.” (Exodus 30:37)

Only whores use perfume

“I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.” (Proverbs 7:17)

The daughters of Zion used perfume. (So God discovered their secret parts.)

“Moreover, the Lord said, “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty And walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, And go along with mincing steps And jingle the anklets on their feet, 17 The Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, And the Lord will make their foreheads bare.” 18 On that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, 19 dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, 20 headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets, 21 finger rings, nose rings, 22 festive robes, outer garments, shawls, purses, 23 papyrus garments, undergarments, headbands, and veils. 24 Now it will come about that instead of balsam oil there will be a stench; Instead of a belt, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; Instead of fine clothes, a robe of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty.” (Isaiah 3:16-24)

“You have journeyed to the king with oil And increased your perfumes; You have sent your messengers a great distance And made them go down to Sheol.” (Isaiah 57:9)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Is it OK to marry unbelievers?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Is it OK to marry unbelievers?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not [c]divorce her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through [d]her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.” (1 Corinthians 7:12-14)

No, they are unclean

“Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 15 Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial, or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are [e]the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Resolving 54 Bible Contradictions from Jesus’ Final Week to His Ascension

This last year I tried to put out more posts resolving Bible contradictions concerning the final week of Christ through His Ascension to add to the list I put out last year.  It takes some time on my part to go through them to provide exegetically sound refutations; Lord willing I will add more to this lists next year.  See my post I wrote on why refuting Bible Contradictions Takes Time.  As of Passion Week 2023 I have responded to fifty four alleged Bible contradictions that took place during the final week of Jesus’ life up to His Ascension.  These posts are arranged below roughly in chronological order in the Gospel with additions we wrote after last Resurrection Sunday labeled “NEW” in red:

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Bible Contradiction? When was the Holy Ghost given?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: When was the Holy Ghost given?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

After the resurrection of Jesus

“But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39)

“And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” ( John 20:22)

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.” (Acts 2:1-4)

Before resurrection of Jesus

“David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies under Your feet.’” (Mark 12:36)

“For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15)

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41)

“And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying:” (Luke 1:67)

“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (Luke 2:25)

“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.” (Acts 1:16)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus when he first appeared to her?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus when he first appeared to her?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes, she recognized him.

“And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9)

No, she didn’t recognize him.

“When she had said this, she turned around and *saw Jesus standing there, and yet she did not know that it was Jesus.” (John 20:14)

Jesus didn’t appear to her; she had a vision of angels who told her that he was alive.

“and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.” (Luke 24:23)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did the eleven disciples believe the two men who claimed to see Jesus?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did the eleven disciples believe the two men who claimed to see Jesus?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes, since he had already appeared to Simon.

“And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon!”” (Luke 24:33-34)

No.

“Now after that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 And they went away and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them, either.” (Mark 16:12-13)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Where did Jesus tell his disciples to go after his resurrection?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Where did Jesus tell his disciples to go after his resurrection?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

He told them to go to Galilee.

“Then Jesus *said to them, “Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:10)

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” (Mark 16:7)

He told them to tarry in Jerusalem.

“And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”” (Luke 24:49)

“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;” (Acts 1:4)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Review: Can We Trust the Gospels?

Peter Williams. Can We Trust the Gospels?  Wheaton, IL: Crossway, November 30, 2018.  153 pp

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Want a good book that summarize the apologetics for the Gospels being trustworthy by a reputable New Testament scholar?  Consider picking up Peter Williams’ book Can We Trust the Gospels?  The author is a principle of Tyndale House at Cambridge that leads in biblical research.  The publisher Crossway has provided Christians a great resource and the author was able to summarize the case for the Gospels within the one hundred fifty page range and still gives us readers great food for thoughts and summary of new arguments by other apologists, and scholars.

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Resolving 50 Bible Contradictions from Jesus’ Final Week to His Ascension

This last year I tried to put out more posts resolving Bible contradictions concerning the final week of Christ through His Ascension to add to the list I put out last year.  It takes some time on my part to go through them to provide exegetically sound refutations; Lord willing I will add more to this lists next year.  See my post I wrote on why refuting Bible Contradictions Takes Time.  As of Passion Week 2022 I have responded to fifty alleged Bible contradictions that took place during the final week of Jesus’ life up to His Ascension.  These posts are arranged below roughly in chronological order in the Gospel with additions we wrote after last Resurrection Sunday labeled “NEW” in red:

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Is this a Good Argument for Islamic Allah in the Bible?

I have a Muslim troll th blog’s Facebook page with an argument from Ezra 5:1 for Islam’s god of Allah.  He shared this photo of the verse in Hebrew:

This isn’t the first time I heard of a similar argument.  I first heard them from reputable Islamic apologists; I believe I heard it from Shabir Ally.

Is this a good argument? I don’t think so, here’s why:

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30 Day Quick Bible Devotional from the Gospel of Matthew (Observations from the Greek)

Here’s a compilation of thirty of our blog’s quick devotional with each post on a verse from the first seven chapters on Matthew.  I think they are ideal for daily reading as a project for a month.  Readers might also want to read my post on “The Benefit of Morning and Evening Bible Devotions.”  If you enjoyed what you read you might also consider our Free and Now in Top 5 Languages: 31 Day Quick Bible Devotional from Paul’s Epistles.

I want each to interpret the verse well with observation from the Greek but also to apply it practically well too.

Here’s the listing:

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Resolving 47 Bible Contradictions from Jesus’ Final Week to His Ascension

This last year I tried to put out more posts resolving Bible contradictions concerning the final week of Christ through His Ascension to add to the list I put out last year.  It takes some time on my part to go through them to provide exegetically sound refutations; Lord willing I will add more to this lists next year.  See my post I wrote on why refuting Bible Contradictions Takes Time.  As of Passion Week 2021 I have responded to forty-seven alleged Bible contradictions that took place during the final week of Jesus’ life up to His Ascension.  These posts are arranged below roughly in chronological order in the Gospel with additions we wrote after last Resurrection Sunday labeled “NEW” in red:

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