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:
#9 – Who Was David’s Scribe?
Three Different Answers A fascinating example of a biblical mistake relates to the identity of the scribe who served during King David’s reign. In 2 Samuel 8:17, the scribe is identified as Seraiah. Later, in 2 Samuel 20:25, the same position is ascribed to someone named Shevah. Meanwhile, 1 Chronicles 18:16 lists Shawsha as the scribe during David’s reign. The differences in names are evident even in the original Hebrew, which creates a clear inconsistency in the record of this key position. This contradiction may be the result of scribal errors in the transmission of the texts, as the names are phonetically similar, suggesting possible confusion during copying.
How Does Ehrman Err?
It’s important to approach such issues with both honesty and care for the integrity of Scripture. Let’s examine the passages and the nature of the alleged contradiction, then consider how Christians have understood such differences.
1. The Passages in Question
2 Kings 23:21-23 (ESV):
“And the king commanded all the people, ‘Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.’ For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem.”
2 Chronicles 30:1, 25-26 (ESV):
“Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel… The whole assembly of Judah, and the priests and the Levites, and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners who came out of the land of Israel, and the sojourners who lived in Judah, rejoiced. So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.”
Understanding the Context and Language
1. The Passages in Question
- 2 Samuel 8:17 (ESV):
“and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary,” - 2 Samuel 20:25 (ESV):
“and Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;” - 1 Chronicles 18:16 (ESV):
“and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary;”
Observations
- The role (“secretary” or “scribe”) is the same in all three passages.
- The names are Seraiah (2 Samuel 8:17), Sheva (2 Samuel 20:25), and Shavsha (1 Chronicles 18:16).
- The names are similar in Hebrew: סְרָיָה (Seraiah), שְׁוָא (Sheva), and שַׁוְשָׁא (Shavsha).
How Do Christians Understand This?
1. Ancient Near Eastern Naming Practices
Names in the ancient world often had variants or were transliterated differently in different records. It was not uncommon for individuals to have more than one name or for names to be spelled differently in different documents. For example, “Shavsha” and “Sheva” are very close phonetically, and “Seraiah” could be a formal name while “Sheva/Shavsha” might be a nickname or a variant.
2. Different Time Periods or Office Holders
It is possible these verses refer to different individuals who held the same office at different times during David’s reign. David’s reign was long and eventful, and it would not be unusual for the office of scribe to change hands. The context of each passage may indicate a different period or event.
3. Textual Transmission and Scribal Variants
As Bart Ehrman notes, the similarity in the names could be due to scribal errors in copying manuscripts over centuries. This is a well-known phenomenon in textual criticism. However, such minor differences in names do not affect the core message or doctrines of the Bible. The Bible itself acknowledges the reality of human transmission (see, for example, the genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1–9, which sometimes differ in minor details from those in Genesis).
4. Theological Perspective on Scripture
Christians believe that the Bible is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), but inspiration does not mean that every copyist throughout history was supernaturally prevented from making any minor error. The original manuscripts (the “autographs”) were inspired and without error, but minor variations have crept in through centuries of hand-copying. These are usually easily identified and do not undermine the reliability of Scripture.
5. The Core Message Remains Intact
Even if there is a minor scribal error or name variant, it does not affect any doctrine or the overall historical reliability of the biblical account. The Bible’s main message—God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ—remains clear and unchanged.
Biblical Principles
- God’s Word is Truth: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17, ESV)
- Human Transmission is Not Perfect: The Bible itself records that “the requirements of the law are written on their hearts” (Romans 2:15), but it also shows that God works through imperfect people and means.
- The Message is Preserved: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)
Conclusion
This example does not undermine the trustworthiness of the Bible. Instead, it shows that the Bible is a collection of ancient documents, faithfully preserved, but copied by real people. Minor differences in names are expected in any ancient literature and do not affect the Bible’s core message or its reliability as a historical document. Christians can be confident that God’s Word remains true and trustworthy, even as we honestly acknowledge and study such textual questions.