ContradictionsReading order 184Bible context 1 min read
How many of Bethlehem and Netophah's offspring returned from Babylon?
Ezra's two town counts add to 179, nine fewer than Nehemiah's combined count of 188.
- Textual conflict
- Direct contradiction
- The quoted passages make incompatible claims about the same subject under the same conditions. Little additional inference is needed.
- Importance
- Minor
- A local detail in a story, chronology, or inventory.
Ezra's two town counts sum to 179 whereas Nehemiah gives their combined total as 188, leaving a numerical disagreement after matching scope.
An editorial assessment of the quoted passages. Importance describes the stakes; it does not increase certainty. Reading order weighs both.
Bethlehem and Netophah separately total one hundred seventy-nine people
The children of Beth–lehem, an hundred twenty and three. The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
Ezra 2:21-22
Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)
Read the full chapter:Ezra 2
Bethlehem and Netophah together total one hundred eighty-eight people
The men of Beth–lehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.
Nehemiah 7:26
Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)
Read the full chapter:Nehemiah 7