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:
#5 – How Many Items?
In the book of Ezra, we encounter a numerical inconsistency regarding the temple vessels that King Cyrus of Persia returned to the Jews for their use in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Ezra 1:9-10 provides a detailed inventory: – 1,000 silver cymbals – 29 knives (the exact meaning of the term is debated) – 30 golden cups – 410 silver cups – 1,000 other devices This totals 2,469 items. Yet in Ezra 1:11, the text states that the total number of vessels returned was 5,400. This represents another example of the contradictions in the Bible, deriving from the difference between the listed items and the sum provided. Attempts to harmonize this contradiction by suggesting that not all items were included in the detailed list seem unlikely. Verse 10 explicitly states, “and 1,000 other devices” implying that all categories of vessels were accounted for.
How Does Ehrman Err?
This type of issue is important to address with both honesty and care, as it touches on the reliability of Scripture. Let’s look at the passage in question and examine it closely using the historical-grammatical method of interpretation, as recommended by sound hermeneutics (“context, context, context”—see “What Is Hermeneutics?” by Jared Jeter).
1. The Texts in Question
Ezra 1:9–11 (ESV):
9 – and this was the number of them: 30 basins of gold, 1,000 basins of silver, 29 censers,
10 – 30 bowls of gold, 410 bowls of silver, and 1,000 other vessels;
11 – all the vessels of gold and of silver were 5,400. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.
The Apparent Contradiction
- The detailed list (vv. 9–10) adds up to 2,499 items (not 2,469 as stated in your question; the ESV and most translations read 1,000 basins of silver, not cymbals, and 30 basins/bowls of gold, etc.).
- Verse 11 gives a total of 5,400 vessels.
How Should We Understand This?
1. The List Is Selective, Not Exhaustive
The most straightforward explanation, consistent with the text and ancient record-keeping practices, is that the list in verses 9–10 is selective—it highlights certain categories of items, not every single vessel returned. The phrase in verse 10, “and 1,000 other vessels,” signals that the list is not exhaustive. In the ancient world, inventories often summarized or grouped items, especially when dealing with large numbers or various types.
- The Hebrew word translated “other vessels” (כֵּלִים אֲחֵרִים) is generic and could refer to a wide variety of temple implements not individually listed.
- Verse 11 then gives the grand total: “all the vessels of gold and of silver were 5,400.”
Supporting Example:
This is similar to other biblical lists, such as genealogies or census numbers, which sometimes summarize or omit details for brevity or emphasis (see Numbers 26:62; 1 Chronicles 7:6–12).
2. The List May Only Include Gold and Silver Items
Notice that verse 11 specifies “all the vessels of gold and of silver.” The detailed list in verses 9–10 may only enumerate the most significant or valuable items, while the total in verse 11 includes all gold and silver vessels, possibly even those of lesser value or different types not specified in the earlier verses.
3. Ancient Record-Keeping and Literary Style
Ancient Near Eastern documents often used summary statements after partial lists. The summary in verse 11 is not a mathematical sum of the previous verses, but a statement of the total number of items returned. This literary style is well-attested in other ancient documents.
4. No Contradiction, but a Difference in Detail
The text does not claim that the list in verses 9–10 is exhaustive. The phrase “and 1,000 other vessels” leaves room for additional items, and the summary in verse 11 simply gives the full total. Thus, there is no real contradiction—just a difference between a partial list and a total.
Biblical Principle:
Scripture often gives both summary and detailed accounts, and these are not contradictory but complementary. For example, in the Gospels, different writers select different details to emphasize, but together they give a fuller picture (see John 21:25).
In Summary:
- The list in Ezra 1:9–10 is selective, not exhaustive.
- The “1,000 other vessels” phrase indicates more items than those specifically listed.
- The total in Ezra 1:11 includes all the gold and silver vessels, not just those itemized.
- This is consistent with ancient record-keeping and literary practices.
Relevant Bible Verses:
- Ezra 1:10–11 (see above)
- Proverbs 30:5: “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Conclusion:
There is no genuine contradiction here, but rather a difference between a selective list and a comprehensive total. This reflects the way ancient documents were written and should not be seen as an error, but as a feature of the text’s historical context.