251. Who succeeded Jehoiakim as king?
He was succeeded as king by his son. (2 Kings 24:6)
Right. His son Jehoiachin succeeded him as king.
He had no one to succeed him. (Jeremiah 36:30)
Wrong. He had. However, Jehoiakim had no son at the end of his life sitting on the throne beside him as king, and he didn’t have the opportunity to instruct him as king. He simply died too early. Jeremiah didn’t prophecy that he didn’t have an heir after him on the throne as often is supposed incorrectly. Jeremiah prophesied that Jehoiakim would die very early, long before he could think about his succession. And that happened, Jehoiakim died at the age of 36.
See the article.
No Contradiction
252. Did Jehoiakim die in Babylon or near Jerusalem?
He died in Babylon. (2 Chronicles 36:5-6)
Wrong. He was captured in chains (2 Chronicles 36:6) by Nebuchadnezzar and ready to be brought to Babylon. However, Nebuchadnezzar must have changed his mind as Jehoiakim had to fight till his death against Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, and Ammonites. (2 Kings 24:1-2)
He died near Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 22:18-19)
Right.
See the article: Who succeeded Jehoiakim as king?
No Contradiction
253. Did Jehoshaphat remove the high places?
Yes (2 Chronicles 17:5-6)
Right, he destroyed the high places of Canaanite worship
No (1 Kings 22:42-43)
Right, he didn’t destroy some high places for the worship of Jahwè that were in use before the building of the temple of Solomon.
See the article.
No Contradiction
254. Did Abraham know God's name?
Yes (Genesis 22:14)
Right. Already the name of God (Jahwè, LORD) was revealed to Abraham. He called the name of a mountain “Jahwè will provide”. Many theologians suppose, that the name of Jahwè was added into the early stories of Genesis after Moses. They take this position as they follow the mistranslation of Exodus 6:2-3 ”and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.” This is a serious mistranslation and it should be: “and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, and by My name, LORD, didn’t I make Myself known to them?”
No (Exodus 6:3)
Wrong. See above.
Compare the article: Was the name LORD obscure to Abraham?
No Contradiction
255. Was Jehu the son or grandson of Nimshi?
Jehu was the son of Nimshi. (1 Kings 19:16)
Right, Jehu was the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. According to the rule “A son of a son is a son,” Jehu could be called Jehu, the son of Nimshi.
Jehu was the grandson of Nimshi. (2 Kings 9:2 etc.)
Right. See above.
No Contradiction
256. When was the blind man (or men) healed?
After leaving Jericho. (Matthew 20:30, Mark 10:46)
Right. After Jericho three blind were healed. Among them one with the name Bartimaeus.
Before entering Jericho. (Luke 18:35)
Right. Before Jericho one blind man was healed; his name is unknown. In many headings above Luke 18:35 the name Bartimaeus is mentioned mistakenly.
See the article: How many blind men were healed near Jericho?
No Contradiction
257. Did Paul go to Jerusalem from Damascus immediately after his conversion?
Yes (Acts 9:26)
Wrong. After his conversion he left Damascus, visited Arabia and returned to Damascus (Galatians 1:17). Then he came to Jerusalem and there he met – after some time – the apostles due to Barnabas who brought the contact (Acts 9:26).
It is not necessary to take a succession of events between verse 25 and 26, due to the Greek particle ‘de’ in 26 which refers to a contrast with the foregoing, not necessarily succession. This particle is often used to introduce a new element in a narrative or even a new narrative line, which is here the case.
No (Galatians 1:16-17)
Right. After his conversion he left Damascus, visited Arabia and returned to Damascus (Galatians 1:17).
See the article: Ehrman-Contradictions
No Contradiction
258. How many sons did Jesse have?
Jesse had eight sons. (1 Samuel 16:10-11; 17:12)
Right. At the time of David’s anointment.
Jesse had seven sons. (1 Chronicles 2:13-15)
Right. This genealogy is from a later time and not for nothing; the conclusion must be that one son of Jesse died prematurely.
See the article.
No Contradiction
259. When was Jesus born?
Before 4 BC (Matthew 2:1; Luke 1:5, 31, 2:1-3)
Right. This year is connected with the death of Herod the Great in about 4 BC.
After 6 AD (Luke 2:1-4)
Wrong. The census of the year 6 AD is connected mistakenly with the birth of Jesus. The point is that there was an earlier census by Quirinius in about 4 BC. So the year 6 AD cannot be an anchor point to determine the time of Jesus’ birth at all. The first census of about 4 BC was during the end of Herod's reign when Jesus was born.
See the article.
No Contradiction
260. Was Joseph the father of Jesus?
Joseph was the father of Jesus. (Acts 2:30, 13:23, Romans 1:3, 2 Timothy 2:8, Revelation 22:16)
Wrong. The critic gives six instances that testify that the Christ would be from the “seed of David”. The critic supposes that the expression “seed of David” refers to a male descendant of David who would be the father of the Christ. This is wrong as this expression refers to all descendants of David, also the female ones. About Eve’s seed we read in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed [offspring–including men and women]; …”
Joseph was not the father of Jesus. (Matthew 1:18, 25, Luke 1:31-35)
Right. The critic gives two instances that testify that Jesus was born of the Holy Ghost.
See the article.
No Contradiction
261. Did Jesus know everything?
Yes, He knew everything. (John 16:30, 21:17, Colossians 2:2-3)
Wrong. The critic supposes that Jesus had knowledge about everything that existed. However, the critic doesn’t take into account that “everything” is an indefinite pronoun. That means grammatically that the context determines the meaning of the word “everything”. That is here “everything about man”; through the Spirit Jesus’ learned what was in the hearts and minds of the people he met. That made such a deep impression on his disciples; especially how he dealt with them with this knowledge–always accepting them, and without reproach.
No, Jesus did not know everything. (Mark 5:30, 13:32, Matthew 8:10, Luke 7:9)
Right. In his earthly state and ministry Jesus was dependent on revelations by the Holy Spirit as the prophets of old. He had laid down his divine power to be true man (Philippians 2:6 “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped [utilized],”).
See the article.
No Contradiction
262. Did Jesus bear witness of himself?
No (John 5:31)
Wrong. Jesus is saying here the Jewish rule that states that one witness was not “true”; in this case his witness. This rule refers to the fact that regardless of how true a statement might be, in public affairs it can not be used for a foundation of truth. There is however a second witness (God’s working power through miracles) according to Jesus to establish his testimony. So Jesus alone didn’t bear witness of himself, The Father was also witness!
Yes (John 8:14, 18)
Wrong. Also in this passage Jesus refers to the testimony of his heavenly Father, despite this, the critic wants to reduce his thesis to a few single expressions of the entire passage, which is of course wrong; this is not fair reasoning.
See the article.
No Contradiction
263. What will happen to Jews when they die?
They go to hell. (Matthew 8:12)
Wrong. A serious mistranslation is: “but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness”. It must be: “others, sons of the kingdom, will be cast out into the outer darkness”; and not “the sons of the Kingdom” [Jews].
They will be saved. (Romans 11:26)
Wrong. The critic only reads “all Israel will be saved”, without looking at the indefinite pronoun “all”. Who are these “all”? A spiritual rest of Israel as in Old testament times, hidden for the people, but known by God.
See the article.
No Contradiction
264. Will there be many Jews?
Yes (Genesis 22:18-19, 26:4)
Right. God promised unto Abraham that his descendants would be “as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore”. That is a lot. Looking to history we see that the people of Israel had periods of great prosperity and with many descendants. Unfortunately there have also been periods of great misery and pain with prosecutions and diminishing of their number.
No (Deuteronomy 4:27)
Wrong. Moses prophesied that there would come a period that the Israelites would be scattered among the nations and that their number would be few, if they would follow strange gods. The first Diaspora to Assyria and Babylon was the clear fulfilling of this word. But this prophesy didn’t replace God’s first promise to Abraham about the multitude of his descendants: again and again the Jewish people started to grow after a period of oppression.
No Contradiction
265. What was Jesus' Christ real name?
Jesus; No one knows his name; Emmanuel; Alpha and Omega; Lion of Judah; Faithful and True; Word of God; King of Kings; Lord of Lords; Morning Star; Wonderful, Counsellor; Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace.
Answer. This state of affairs doesn’t reveal a contradiction, nor do these names contradict each other in meaning. What is the phenomenon of many names? His first name, given at his birth was: Jesus; meaning “God Saves” or in short “Savior”. All other names are Throne Names as it was usual that Kings received new names at special occasions and to express their special qualities unto the people. The same occurred with Jesus.
See the article.
No Contradiction
266. Did God commend or condemn Jehu for the killings at Jezreel?
God commended him for it; as he told him to perform the killings. (2 Kings 10:30, 2 Chronicles 22:7)
Wrong. It were not killings, but capital punishments. E.g. 70 sons of king Ahab of age that they are called “men” (2 Kings 10:6) were killed on the command of Jehu, who were certainly involved in the business of their father Ahab. Under Ahab’s government an explosion of violence occurred against the Yahweh believing Israelites, so heavy that Elijah could say: “the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left …” (1 Kings 19:14) Despite there were still some prophets alive (1 Kings 18:13), the impression and atmosphere of the situation was certainly well described.
God condemned him for it. (Hosea 1:4)
Wrong. God condemned not Jehu, but the whole royal house (dynasty) of Jehu for the many killings among the people in later time, forming a blood guilt of guiltless blood. The dynasty of Jehu lasted almost a century (four generations – 2 Kings 15:12).
No Contradiction
267. Where was Joash buried?
With the other kings in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:20-21)
“…they buried him with his fathers in the city of David.”
Right. He was not buried in the royal sepulchres near the city of Jerusalem (see further), but there were more burial places in and near the city so that it was right to say that he was buried “with his fathers in the city of David”. The meaning of this description is certainly to show that also after the death of Joash the dynasty of David remained unshaken, despite Joash’s sins.
In Jerusalem, but not with the other kings (2 Chronicles 24:24-25)
“ … they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.”
Wrong. Joash was not buried in the royal sepulchres of Jerusalem; but as he was buried in Jerusalem it was perfectly right to say that he was buried “with his fathers” in Jerusalem. (2 Kings). The expression “in Jerusalem” may mean inside the walls of the city (narrow meaning) or outside the walls as the environment always belonged to the city with the same name (broader meaning).
No Contradiction
268. Who brought evil on Job?
Satan (Job 2:7)
“So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils …”
Right. The story is clear about the fact that Satan was the one who brought all the pain over Job. However, he did so under God’s admission.
God (Job 42:11)
“… and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him.”
Wrong. Strictly spoken the translation should be: “… all the evil that the Lord had caused to come over him,” (Hiphil-form). In this translation it becomes clear that it happened under God’s admission. All what happens is under God’s admission and often the reason remains hidden, a mystery to man. It is fully biblical to say that even in pain God is present, not as the author of it (which is Satan). The critic has to accept this biblical view and it is never a contradiction as God remains in everything fully just and righteous ( 1 John 1:5 God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all – NASB).The story of Job shows that God is not to blame, but ready to restore as also Job experienced (James 5:11).
No Contradiction
269. Who cast Jonah into the sea?
The sailors (Jonah 1:15)
Right. The sailors did what Jonah had said and so they became partners in God’s plan with Jonah.
God (Jonah 2:3)
Right. In a partnership or a cooperative undertaking it is natural to say that the principal did something while a co-worker actually worked out the will of the principal. In this case God is the principal and the sailors are the co-workers.
See the article.
No Contradiction
270. Who was Jesus' grandfather on his fathers's side?
Jacob (Matthew 1:16)
Wrong. Here is the misconception of the critic that Jesus had a grandfather on his father’s side. He did not. Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary.
Heli (Luke 3:23)
Wrong. In Luke 3 the genealogy of Mary is given and not of Joseph as the critic mistakenly supposes. Heli was the father of Mary and not of Joseph.
See the article: What about Jesus’ genealogy according to Matthew compared with Chronicles? And: Was Joseph the father of Jesus? And: SAB 194
No Contradiction
271. Where did king Josiah die?
He died at Megiddo. (2 Kings 23:29-30)
Right. “…and when Pharaoh Neco saw him he killed him at Megiddo”. (KJV)
He died at Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 35:23-24)
Wrong. “… and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. His servants therefore … brought him to Jerusalem, and he died.” (KJV) Better translation is: “… set off for Jerusalem and he died.” the arrival in Jerusalem is not included, but the departure at Megiddo and when he departed he died. That is on the battlefield of Megiddo.
See the article.
No Contradiction
272. How did king Josiah die?
He died a peaceful death. (2 Kings 22:20)
Wrong. A prophecy that Josiah would be buried in peace. There is no mentioning in the prophecy that he would not die during a battle or war.
He was killed in battle. (2 Kings 23:29-30, 2 Chronicles 35:23-24)
Right. As soon as he was dead, the battle ended and he was buried in peace just as the prophecy had spoken (see above).
See the article.
No Contradiction
273. How long did Jotham reign?
At least 20 years (2 Kings 15:30)
Right. Included are the four years that he reigned as a co-regent together with his father, who suffered leprosy at the end of his life, but continued to have the title of king.
16 years (2 Kings 15:32-33)
Right. Only the years are mentioned after the death of his father, when Jotham received the full title of king.
See the article.
No Contradiction
274. How did Judas die?
He hanged himself. (Matthew 27:5)
Partly right. It is not certain that he died as a result of hanging himself (see further).
He fell down and died. (Acts 1:18)
(this is not the formulation of Acts)
Partly right.
He went out and hanged himself. It is generally accepted that during or after the hanging the rope or the branch broke and that his body was ruptured by the fall. So, the Bible is not cristal clear whether Judas died through the hanging or the fall thereafter.
No Contradiction
275. Did Judas indentify Jesus with a kiss?
Yes (Matthew 26:47-48, Mark 14:43-45, Luke 22:47-48)
Wrong. It is said in these instances that Judas made the appointment with the soldiers that he would kiss Jesus as a clear sign for them who they had to arrest. It is not said that Judas actually made clear who Jesus was by kissing him. After Jesus had showed himself to the soldiers (John 18:3-5) Judas went to him for the kiss, not now as a sign who Jesus was, but as a sign to the soldiers to not hesitate, but to arrest him.
No, Jesus identified himself. (John 18:3-5)
Right.
No Contradiction
No Bible Contradictions