Discrepancies in the Bible You Say!?!!

## Biblical Discrepancies: A Categorized Overview

This article presents a categorized overview of commonly noted discrepancies found within the Bible. It aims to provide a structured exploration of these variations rather than offering definitive solutions or interpretations.

Creation and Early Biblical History

The Creation Order

Discrepancy: Genesis presents two accounts of creation with differing orders:

• Genesis 1: Plants created before humans, all animals created before humans.

• Genesis 2: Man created before plants, land animals created after man.

  
  

Genesis Creation Order Variations

Discrepancy: Genesis presents two distinct creation accounts with different orders of events:

• Genesis 1 Order:

a. Light (Day 1)

b. Firmament/Sky (Day 2)

c. Land and plants (Day 3)

  d. Sun, moon, stars (Day 4)

e. Sea creatures and birds (Day 5)

f. Land animals and humans (Day 6)

• Genesis 2 Order:

a. Man (2:7)

b. Garden and plants (2:8-9)

c. Animals (2:19)

d. Woman (2:21-22)

The Number of Animals on Noah's Ark

Discrepancy: Genesis provides conflicting information regarding the number of animals aboard Noah's ark:

• Genesis 6:19-20: Two of each kind of animal.

• Genesis 7:2-3: Seven pairs of clean animals and one pair of unclean animals.

The Name of Moses' Father-in-Law

Discrepancy:  Different names are used for Moses' father-in-law in various biblical texts:

• Exodus 2:18: Reuel

• Exodus 3:1: Jethro

• Judges 4:11: Hobab

Possible Explanation: Multiple names/titles for the same person, or references to different family members?

The Origin of Cain's Wife

Discrepancy: Genesis does not explain where Cain's wife came from if Adam and Eve were the first humans.

• Genesis 4:17:  Mentions Cain's wife without explanation of her origin.

Historical and Kings/Chronicles Accounts

Solomon's Stalls

Discrepancy: Discrepancies in the number of stalls mentioned for Solomon:

• 1 Kings 4:26: 40,000 stalls.

• 2 Chronicles 9:25: 4,000 stalls.

Possible Explanation: Copying error or different counting methods?

Ahaziah's Age

Discrepancy: Conflicting accounts regarding Ahaziah's age at death:

• 2 Kings 8:26: 22 years old.

• 2 Chronicles 22:2: 42 years old.

Possible Explanation: Likely transcription error or different counting methods of co-regency.

David's Census

Discrepancy: Different motivations are attributed to the instigator of David's census:

•  2 Samuel 24: God incited David.

•  1 Chronicles 21: Satan incited David.

The Death of Saul

Discrepancy: Two differing accounts exist regarding Saul's death:

• 1 Samuel 31: Fell on his own sword.

• 2 Samuel 1: Killed by an Amalekite.

Possible Explanation: Amalekite's false claim to gain favor?

The Purchase Price of Property

Discrepancy: Different prices are mentioned for the purchase of property:

• 2 Samuel 24:24: 50 shekels of silver.

• 1 Chronicles 21:25: 600 shekels of gold.

Possible Explanation: Different areas or additional purchases included?

The Death of King Jehoiakim

Discrepancy: The accounts in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles appear to give different versions of Jehoiakim's fate

• 2 Kings 24:6:  states he died in Jerusalem: "So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead."

• 2 Chronicles 36:6: states he was taken to Babylon: "Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon."

Who Killed Goliath?

Discrepancy: Different accounts identify the slayer of Goliath:

• 1 Samuel 17: David killed Goliath.

• 2 Samuel 21:19: Elhanan killed Goliath.

Possible Explanation: Different giants? Translation issues?

Genealogical and Numerical Discrepancies

Jesus's Genealogy

Discrepancy: The Gospels present two distinct genealogies of Jesus:

• Matthew 1: Traces Jesus' lineage through Joseph to Abraham.

• Luke 3: Traces Jesus' lineage through Joseph to Adam.

• Different fathers for Joseph (Jacob vs Heli) and different numbers of generations are also noted.

Possible Explanation: One might trace Mary's line, or represent legal vs. biological lineages?

The Number of Years of Famine

Discrepancy: Conflicting accounts exist regarding the duration of a famine:

• 2 Samuel 24:13: Seven years.

• 1 Chronicles 21:12: Three years.

Possible Explanation: Transcription error or different interpretations of the timeframe.

Gospel Narratives

The Time of Jesus's Crucifixion

Discrepancy: Different times are given for the crucifixion of Jesus:

• Mark 15:25: Third hour (9 AM).

• John 19:14: Sixth hour (noon).

Possible Explanation: Jewish timekeeping vs. Roman timekeeping?

The Angels at the Tomb

Discrepancy:  Different numbers of angels are mentioned at Jesus's tomb:

• Matthew/Luke: One angel.

• John: Two angels.

Jesus's Last Words

Discrepancy: Different quotes are attributed to Jesus' final words:

• Matthew/Mark: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

• Luke: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

• John: "It is finished."

The First Disciples Called

Discrepancy: Variations exist in the order of disciples called by Jesus:

• Matthew/Mark: Simon and Andrew first, then James and John.

• John: Andrew and another disciple first, then Simon.

  
  

The Duration of Jesus's Ministry

Discrepancy: Conflicting accounts exist regarding the length of Jesus' ministry:

• Synoptic Gospels: Approximately one year.

• John: Approximately three years.

The Temple Cleansing

Discrepancy:  Different placements are given for the temple cleansing event:

• Synoptics: End of ministry.

• John: Beginning of ministry.

Possible Explanation: Two separate events?

The Timing of the Last Supper

Discrepancy: Variations exist in when the Last Supper took place:

• Synoptics: During Passover.

• John: Before Passover.

Peter's Denials

Discrepancy: There are variations in the timing, location, and specifics of Peter's denials across all four Gospels.

The Inscription on Jesus's Cross

Discrepancy: The wording of the inscription on Jesus's cross differs in all four Gospels.

• Matthew 27:37: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

• Mark 15:26: "The King of the Jews."

• Luke 23:38: "This is the King of the Jews."

• John 19:19: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."

The Order of Temptations

Discrepancy: Matthew and Luke's accounts differ in the order in which Jesus was tempted by Satan.

• Matthew's order (Matthew 4:1-11):

   Turn stones into bread (v. 3-4)

    Jump from the temple pinnacle (v. 5-7)

     Worship Satan for all the kingdoms of the world (v. 8-10)

• Luke's order (Luke 4:1-13):

    Turn stones into bread (v. 3-4)

    Worship Satan for all the kingdoms of the world (v. 5-8)

    Jump from the temple pinnacle (v. 9-12)

Other New Testament Accounts

The Death of Judas

Discrepancy:  Differing accounts describe Judas's death:

• Matthew 27:5: Threw money back at Jews then hanged himself.

• Acts 1:18: Used money to buy a field then fell headlong, body burst open.

Paul's Conversion Experience

Discrepancy: Variations exist in the details of Paul's conversion:

• Acts 9:7: Companions heard voice but saw nothing.

• Acts 22:9: Saw light but didn't hear voice.

Theological Concepts

The Visibility of God

Discrepancy:  Contradictory accounts exist regarding the visibility of God:

• Cannot be seen:

a. Exodus 33:20: "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

   b. John 1:18: "No one has ever seen God."

   c. 1 Timothy 6:16: "whom no one has seen or can see."

• Has been seen:

  a. Genesis 32:30: Jacob says "I saw God face to face."

    b. Exodus 24:9-11: Moses, Aaron, and others "saw the God of Israel."

    c. Isaiah 6:1: "I saw the Lord seated on a throne."

The Ten Commandments Variations

Discrepancy:  Different versions of the Ten Commandments exist in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5:

• Different reasons given for Sabbath observance:

     a. Exodus: Because God rested on the seventh day.

     b. Deuteronomy: To remember deliverance from Egypt.

• Different wording in the coveting commandment.

• Different emphasis on certain points.