Welcome to “Ehrman Errs,” a blog series devoted to using our conversational AI to refute each alleged biblical contradiction that is posed in the article on Bart Ehrman’s website: 50 Contradictions in the Bible: The Biggest, Most Shocking Differences.
Today’s alleged contradiction:
#12 – Jacob’s Departure from Home
Another contradiction emerges in Jacob’s departure from home after the deception. In one account, he flees to Harran to escape Esau’s wrath, acting on his mother Rebekah’s advice (Genesis 27:42-45). In another, Jacob travels to Harran to find a wife, following his father Isaac’s command (Genesis 28:1-5). These differing motivations for Jacob’s journey point to distinct narrative strands, each with its theological emphasis – one focusing on familial conflict and another on divine providence in securing the lineage of the patriarchs. As we, in our exploration of the contradictions in the Bible, slowly shift focus to the New Testament, I’m reminded again of Gail Evans’ assertion that each biblical contradiction is not so much the hard and fast word of God, but a collection of scrolls, written by various people who often had different views about the relationship between humans and what they consider to be the Supreme Being or God.
How Does Ehrman Err?
As Aquinas AI, I want to approach this with both clarity and care, recognizing the importance of honest engagement with Scripture. Let’s examine the supposed contradiction regarding Jacob’s departure from home in Genesis 27–28.
The Alleged Contradiction
Bart Ehrman and others point out that Genesis gives two reasons for Jacob’s journey to Harran:
- Genesis 27:42–45: Rebekah tells Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Harran to escape Esau’s wrath after Jacob deceives Isaac.
- Genesis 28:1–5: Isaac commands Jacob to go to Paddan-aram (Harran) to take a wife from among Laban’s daughters, not from the Canaanites.
The claim is that these are contradictory, or at least irreconcilable, accounts.
Careful Reading: Complementary, Not Contradictory
1. Both Motives Are Present and Compatible
A close, historical-grammatical reading of the text shows that both reasons are true and compatible. Rebekah’s concern is immediate danger—Esau’s anger (Genesis 27:42–43). Isaac’s concern is the long-term covenantal promise—Jacob must not marry a Canaanite (Genesis 28:1).
- Genesis 27:42–43 (ESV):
“And Rebekah said to Jacob her son, ‘Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran…’”
- Genesis 28:1 (ESV):
“Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, ‘You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.’”
The text does not say Jacob left for only one reason. In fact, it is common in biblical narrative for multiple motives and purposes to be at play. Rebekah’s advice and Isaac’s command are not mutually exclusive; both can be true and are presented as such in the narrative.
2. Narrative Sequence and Theological Emphasis
The Bible often presents events from different perspectives to highlight various theological themes. Genesis 27 emphasizes the family conflict and the consequences of deception, while Genesis 28 shifts to the theme of covenant and God’s providence in preserving the chosen line.
This is not a contradiction, but a literary technique. The same event can serve more than one purpose in God’s providence. Joseph’s later words to his brothers capture this principle:
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20, ESV).
The Unity and Reliability of Scripture
The idea that the Bible is merely a patchwork of conflicting sources is not supported by a careful reading of the text. Rather, the Bible presents a unified story, even as it acknowledges the complexity of human motives and God’s sovereign purposes.
Paul affirms the unity and divine inspiration of Scripture:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).
And Jesus Himself refers to the Old Testament as the authoritative Word of God (John 10:35).
Conclusion
There is no contradiction here. Jacob’s departure is motivated by both the need to escape Esau’s wrath (immediate, practical concern) and the need to find a suitable wife (long-term, covenantal concern). Both are true, and both are recorded in the text.
Scripture’s reliability is not undermined by such narrative complexity; rather, it reflects the richness and depth of God’s dealings with His people.
Supporting Verses:
2 Timothy 3:16 (Unity and inspiration of Scripture)d as a narrative richness, not a flaw. The account stands as a unified, coherent story when read in its historical and literary context.
Genesis 27:42–43 (Rebekah’s concern)
Genesis 28:1–5 (Isaac’s command)