In Genesis 10:5 it says "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations" and Genesis 11:1 says "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech".
So how can 10:5 say when Noah's sons families be scattered and "everyone after their own language" yet in 11:1 it states there was one language on earth?
Is this not a contradiction in statements? How would you answer this logically?
2006-12-22 06:09:32 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is a contradiction, clear as day. Well, not a foggy day...
I imagine that a person speaking in defense of the bible would argue that each statement is intended for a different purpose, that one is meant the address the differences (language or culture) and the other to address the similarities (heart and soul and love and respect for god). I think that all makes sense, but would you believe it? I haven't read the bible so I don't know the context in which the statements were made or if the contexts were even different. I think that's all logical...
Anyhow... good day!
2006-12-22 06:16:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Bible difficulties, or apparent Bible contradictions, exist. The opponents of Christianity often use them in their attempts to discredit Christianity. Sometimes these attacks undermine the faith of Christians who either don't understand the issues or don't have the resources to deal with them.
Opponents of Christianity will cite what they consider a Bible contradiction or difficulty by comparing one verse to another (or more) that seems to disagree with the first. In doing this, several verses are often referenced as being contradictory or problematic. Therefore, to make this section of CARM easy to use, it is arranged by verse for easy lookup. Since many of the same "difficulties" deal with one verse in opposition to another or even several others, I have listed all the verses addressed in the same answer. This makes the initial list look larger than it really is. For example, how many animals did Noah bring into the ark? Genesis 6:19-20 says two while Gen. 7:2-3 mentions seven. Therefore, both verses are listed and both links point to the same answer.
http://carm.org/introduction-bible-difficulties-and-bible-contradictions
If we read the Bible at face value, without a preconceived bias for finding errors, we will find it to be a coherent, consistent, and relatively easy-to-understand book. Yes, there are difficult passages. Yes, there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1500 years. Each writer wrote with a different style, from a different perspective, to a different audience, for a different purpose. We should expect some minor differences. However, a difference is not a contradiction. It is only an error if there is absolutely no conceivable way the verses or passages can be reconciled. Even if an answer is not available right now, that does not mean an answer does not exist. Many have found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-errors.html
The Big Book of Bible Difficulties: Clear and Concise Answers from Genesis to Revelation
By: Norman L. Geisler, Thomas Howe
http://www.christianbook.com/difficulties-clear-concise-answers-genesis-revelation/norman-geisler/9780801071584/pd/071584?event=AFF&p=1011693&
2014-10-21 14:48:59 · answer #2 · answered by The Lightning Strikes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Genesis 10 tells of "the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth"
Genesis 10:32 -- "These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood."
It doesn't say they were immediately divided after the Flood. For one thing, it took a while for the "generations" to be born.
Genesis 11 goes on to provide more detail about WHY the people were divided.
So, no contradiction. They would be divided. Logically, then, people would want to know WHY. So in Chapter 11 the answer is provided.
2006-12-22 14:25:30 · answer #3 · answered by kent chatham 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible often gives an overview of something and then resays it with other details, or gives details and summarizes. This is how they wrote things in those days. It isn't a contradiction, it's simply the literary style of the time. So, 10:5 is speaking about the division of people, and Genesis 11 goes into detail about that division, caused by the confusion of the languages.
2006-12-22 14:20:36 · answer #4 · answered by STEPHEN J 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is full of contridicts because it was never written to be one book. Biblical scholars can track the differing theologies based upon language, use, names, etc.
Yet, for most people, contridictions of language do not equate contridiction to their faith. My faith is based upon my relationship with God, as I have come to know God through Jesus and the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life. The Bible is a description, in allegory, historical narrative and descriptive writings of God's communications and attempts to break through the separtaion that stands between us.
The contridiction you have found is small compared to others - Compare Genesis 1's order of creation to Genesis 2's. Typically such retellings of the same story is evidence of the combination of two theologically divergent stories of the same event being combined. Or better yet, answer why Noah needed kosher animals on the ark to eat when Kosher law was not enacted till after the time of Moses.
It is easy to find contridictions... But if you are not a literalist Christian, and not all Christian are, then you care more about the overrall Biblical truths of God's love and grace for the children of God.
2006-12-22 14:19:41 · answer #5 · answered by rogueknight17 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Your reading the Bible as if it was a story book.This same situation occurs in Gen. 1:27 and Gen. 2:5-25. Here we have man and woman created in chapter 1 and then in chapter 2 it states that man had not been created yet.The Bible is more like looking at a picture.You don't see everything at once but if you look long enough it comes together.Jesus spoke often in parables.When asked by His disciples why He done this He told them that "...Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,but to them it is not given." Matt.13:11-17. This sounds contrary to popular believe but they are the words of Jesus and are sound and sure. But why reveal something to someone who won't heed what is said ? God is not being in-compassionate here but quit the contrary.For to whom much is given much is required. If God reveals, a service is required.
2006-12-22 15:06:43 · answer #6 · answered by don_steele54 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Logically speaking, this is one of many red flags God placed in there to remind us that this book was written by man. It is not perfect. It is a metaphor, meant to inspire and to give people something to discuss and debate. Anyone who lives this difficult life knows that in spite of the problems there is far too much magic and beauty for everything to be all random. I KNOW there is a God. I don't believe God would give us a book that is so unclear and can be interpretted so many different ways, not to mention the advances we've made in science (especially concerning carbon dating) and claim it as his only truth. The Bible was written by MEN, even if they were "moved" by God. There are nomadic tribes in Africa that have never even heard of Jesus or the Bible. Why would God send someone to be born into a life with no access to information that could save them from an eternity in hell? What purpose would that serve? There are countless contradictions in the bible. Please try to use your curiosity to fuel a quest for personal truth. Hope that helps. Truly yours, haniels_host
2006-12-22 15:18:06 · answer #7 · answered by haniels_host 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is no contradiction. Who said what is being talked about in the verses you mentioned in chapter 10 and 11 are in chronological order? We cannot assume that they are in chronological order. In fact, it is obvious that they are not. Chapter 10 tells of Noah's genealogy. Chapter 11 begins by going back and telling us about this major event, that the whole earth had one language.
2006-12-22 14:23:22 · answer #8 · answered by JohnC 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I really don't believe that God's Word would contradict itself. I've read the bible cover to cover more than once, and I haven't experienced one contradiction. I believe it may be the person's interpretation of it, or it also could be the way it was translated from the ancient Greek and Hebrew texts, to the various versions they have now of the Bible, whether it be King James Version, New King James, New International Version, Amplified, ect, ect. They're basically all the same..........Best of luck to you........
2006-12-22 14:30:12 · answer #9 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Part of the curse on the world was when God scattered the pagans and made them speak different tongues. that was after the first verse you presented, and before the second.
2006-12-22 14:33:33 · answer #10 · answered by mr_sizzelin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋