The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Numbers 6:5—Paul, Nazarites, and Bad Hair Days: Context Clears the Confusion

Host Lance Smith tackles an apparent contradiction between Numbers 6 and 1 Corinthians 11 about men’s long hair, showing that the Nazarite vow’s uncut hair was a temporary sign of consecration while Paul’s instruction addressed everyday worship practices in Corinth.
By exploring cultural and textual context — including Paul’s own vow in Acts 18 — Smith explains there’s no contradiction, only different purposes and settings for the same symbol.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
“What is the Nazirite/Nazarite vow?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Nazirite-vow.html
“Numbers 6: The Nazirite Vow.” oneandall.church. https://www.oneandall.church/story/numbers-6-the-nazirite-vow
“The Head Covering: 1 Corinthians 11 – Part Three.” unraveledfaith.ca. https://www.unraveledfaith.ca/post/the-head-covering-1-corinthians-11-part-three
“The Cultural Context for the Hair Length/Style vs. Head Coverings Debate in 1 Cor 11.” theologyintheraw.com. https://theologyintheraw.com/the-cultural-context-for-the-hair-length-style-vs-head-coverings-debate-in-1-cor-11-the-meaning-of-kephale-part-12/
“Paul, the Head Covering: An Alternative Interpretation.” kuyperian.com. https://kuyperian.com/paul-the-head-covering-an-alternative-interpretation/

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 15:11–From Garden Salad to BBQ: What Does the Bible Say About Eating Meat?

This episode traces the Bible’s changing food story from Genesis’s plant-based ideal, through post‑Flood permission and the Mosaic dietary laws, to Jesus’ and the apostles’ teaching that ceremonial food restrictions no longer bind Christians.
Listeners will get a clear, concise answer: New Testament believers are not biblically restricted in what animals they may eat, but they are called to act in love and conscience toward others while honoring creation and personal convictions.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptics Annotated Bible:https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/eat.html 
GotQuestions.org – “What does the Bible say about what foods we should eat?”: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-foods.html
The Gospel Coalition – “You Are What (Animal) You Eat: Bible Dietary Laws” by Andrew Wilson: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/you-are-animal-eat-bible-dietary-laws/
Cambridge Papers – “‘Better a Meal of Vegetables’: Should We Eat Meat?” by Andrew Wilson: https://www.cambridgepapers.org/better-a-meal-of-vegetables-should-we-eat-meat/
Life, Hope & Truth – “Does Acts 10 Abolish the Clean and Unclean Meat Laws?”: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/biblical-laws/clean-and-unclean-animals/acts-10/
The Hidden Orchard – “Peter’s Vision in Acts 10: Is It About Dietary Law?”: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/peters-vision-is-acts-10-about-dietary-law/
Adventist Biblical Research Institute – “Clean and Unclean Meats”: https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/articles/clean-and-unclean-meats
TheTorah.com – “Did God Originally Intend the World to Be Vegetarian?”: https://www.thetorah.com/article/did-god-originally-intend-the-world-to-be-vegetarian
Focus on the Family – “Vegans, Vegetarians, and the Bible”: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/vegans-vegetarians-and-the-bible/

Numbers 5:13–22 — Bitter Water and Divine Justice: What Numbers 5 Really Means

Episode 219 examines Numbers 5:13–22 and the objection that the Sotah ritual is superstition. The host explores explanations including psychosomatic effects, the ritual’s role as a legal restraint protecting women from vigilante violence, and its theological connections pointing toward Christ’s cup of judgment. The episode argues the passage refines justice rather than endorsing magic.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
Roi, Micha. “The Law of the Sotah and the Cup of Wrath: Substantive and Adjective Law in the Hebrew Bible.” Revue Biblique 124, no. 2 (2017): 161–179.
Mowczko, Marg. “Jealousy and Bitter Water (Numbers 5:11–31).” MargMowczko.com. https://margmowczko.com/bitter-water-numbers-511-31/
Roberts, Alastair. “The Cup of the Adulteress: Understanding the Jealousy Ritual of Numbers 5.” AlastairAdversaria.com, February 9, 2013. https://alastairadversaria.com/2013/02/09/the-cup-of-the-adulteress-understanding-the-jealousy-ritual-of-numbers-5/
“The Sotah Ritual: Permitting a Jealous Husband to Remain with His Wife.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-sotah-ritual-permitting-a-jealous-husband-to-remain-with-his-wife
“Was the Sotah Meant to be Innocent?” The Lehrhaus. https://thelehrhaus.com/talmud-and-halakhah/was-the-sotah-meant-to-be-innocent/
Jersak, Brad. “Women on Trial (Numbers 5): A More Christlike Reading.” PTM.org. https://www.ptm.org/women-on-trial-numbers-5-a-more-christlike-reading-brad-jersak

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 15:3–Does the Bible Endorse Capital Punishment? A Clear-Sighted Review

Host Lance Smith examines whether the Bible supports capital punishment by unpacking Old Testament laws, the story of Cain, Jesus' actions in John 8, and New Testament teachings like Romans 13 and Genesis 9:6.
The episode explains the difference between Israel’s theocracy (where civil death penalties applied) and the New Testament church (which emphasizes forgiveness), while noting that governments retain authority to punish wrongdoers.
In the end, Smith argues the Bible is not contradictory but nuanced, balancing God’s justice and mercy and urging thoughtful Christian engagement on the issue.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/capital.html 
GotQuestions.org – “What does the Bible say about the death penalty / capital punishment?” https://www.gotquestions.org/death-penalty.html
Charles W. Colson – “Why I Support Capital Punishment” (The Gospel Coalition) https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-i-support-capital-punishment/
John Piper interview – “Do You Believe in Capital Punishment?” (Desiring God) https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/do-you-believe-in-capital-punishment
Greg Koukl – “The Bible and Capital Punishment” (Stand to Reason) https://www.str.org/w/the-bible-and-capital-punishment
Matthew Arbo – “Why I Oppose Capital Punishment” (The Gospel Coalition) https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-i-oppose-capital-punishment/
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – “The Gospel of Life and the Sentence of Death: Catholic Teaching on Capital Punishment” https://www.usccb.org/committees/pro-life-activities/gospel-life-and-sentence-death-catholic-teaching-capital-punishment
Pope John Paul II – Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life)

Numbers 4:6—Never Remove the Poles? Solving the Ark’s Apparent Contradiction

This episode tackles an apparent contradiction between Exodus 25:15 and Numbers 4:6 about whether the Ark of the Covenant’s poles were removed for transport. By examining the Hebrew verb, archaeological parallels (like Egyptian ritual chests), and later biblical references, the host shows the poles remained attached but were positioned for carrying, resolving the difficulty.
The conclusion highlights the importance of careful reading of Scripture and the spiritual lesson that reverent obedience protects what is holy and keeps God’s presence ready to move with his people.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI
Eichler, Raanan. “The Poles of the Ark and Tutankhamun’s Chest.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-poles-of-the-ark-and-tutankhamuns-chest
Guzik, David. Enduring Word Bible Commentary on 1 Kings Chapter 8. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-kings-8/
“Don’t Remove the Poles.” Elkhorn Bible Church Blog. https://ebcelkhorn.com/dont-remove-the-poles
“Terumah: The Ark and Its Poles.” Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. https://www.jfedgmw.org/terumah-the-ark-and-its-poles/
“Ark of the Covenant in Egyptian Context.” Biblical Archaeology Society. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ark-of-the-covenant-in-egyptian-context/

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 14:1-2 – Herod, Guilt, and Ghosts

Episode 216 examines whether Herod Antipas thought Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead, comparing Matthew and Mark (which record Herod's confident conclusion) with Luke (which highlights his puzzled, unsettled reaction).
The episode argues the accounts are complementary: guilt and remorse explain Herod's fearful conclusion, while Luke records the confusion and inner turmoil before that conclusion settles.
By reading the Gospels together, the host shows this is not a contradiction but a fuller psychological portrait of a guilty man, and offers a pastoral takeaway about guilt, forgiveness, and the harmony of eyewitness testimony.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/herod.html 
Veritas Domain blog, “Bible Contradiction? Did Herod think Jesus was John the Baptist?” by SLIMJIM: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2016/03/26/bible-contradiction-did-herod-think-jesus-was-john-the-baptist/
Enduring Word Commentary on Matthew 14 and Mark 6 by David Guzik: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-14/ and https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-6/
Biblical Archaeology Society, “Herod Antipas in the Bible and Beyond”: https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/herod-antipas-in-the-bible-and-beyond/
BibleAuthenticity.com, “Did Herod Think Jesus Was John the Baptist?”: https://bibleauthenticity.com/did-herod-think-jesus-was-john-the-baptist/ 
‘Was John the Baptist Raised from the Dead? The Origins of Mark 6:14–16’ by Michael Wojciechowski, Biblical Annals (2017): https://czasopisma.kul.pl/index.php/ba/article/download/4378/4575/14412 

Numbers 4:3 — 30, 25, 20: Making Sense of Levitical Ages

This episode unpacks why Numbers 4:3, Numbers 8:24, and Ezra 3:8 list different ages for Levitical service and shows they are not contradictions but reflect different roles and historical contexts.
It explains that 25 marks apprenticeship in the wilderness, 30 denotes full responsibility for heavy tabernacle duties, and 20 reflects the settled temple-era and Davidic reforms—making the system coherent, wise, and situational.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI
“Why Does Numbers 8:24 Specify a Starting Age for Levite Duties?” BibleHub Q&A. Available at: https://biblehub.com/q/Why_set_Levite_duty_age_in_Num_8_24.htm
“Why Did God Restrict the Age That a Priest Could Serve (Numbers 8:24–26)?” GotQuestions.org. Available at: https://www.gotquestions.org/priest-age.html
Miller, R. D. “What Is the Minimum Age of Service for Levites: 25 or 30?” Contradictions in the Bible (blog), 2014. Available at: http://contradictionsinthebible.com/minimum-age-service-levites-25-30/
Duncan, J. Ligon. “Lamps, Levites, and Retirement.” Reformed Theological Seminary, 2007 (audio/sermon article on Numbers 8). Available at: https://rts.edu/resources/lamps-levites-and-retirement/
NET Bible Study Notes on Ezra 3:8. Available at: https://netbible.org/bible/Ezra+3
Yap, Jason T. “The Purpose and Function of the Feast of Tabernacles in Ezra 3.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 64, no. 2 (2021): 253–264. Available at: https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/files_JETS-PDFs_64_64-2_JETS_64.2_253-264_Yap.pdf

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 13:53 – Nazareth's Rejection: One Visit or Two? (Gospel Puzzle Explained)

Episode 214 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast examines the apparent contradiction between Luke 4 and Matthew/Mark about when Jesus was rejected in Nazareth. Lance Smith compares Luke’s early, dramatic account with Matthew and Mark’s later, quieter version and explores whether these are two separate visits or one event presented differently.
The episode surveys scholarly views, explains how ancient biographies arrange material for theological effect, and argues that, whether once or twice, the central message is unchanged: a prophet is not honored in his hometown and unbelief can limit God’s work.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html 
Matthew R. Crawford, "Rejection at Nazareth in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke — and Tatian": https://www.academia.edu/28252653/Rejection_at_Nazareth_in_the_Gospels_of_Mark_Matthew_Luke_and_Tatian
James M. Rochford, "How was Jesus rejected? (cf. Mk. 6:1-5; Lk. 4:16-30)": https://evidenceunseen.com/new-testament/matthew/difficulties/how-was-jesus-rejected-cf-mk-61-5-lk-416-30
"Second Rejection In Nazareth": https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-studies/ministry-outside-of-galilee-mid-a-d-32/second-rejection-in-nazareth/
Phil Long, "When Did the Rejection at Nazareth Happen? Matthew 13:53-58": https://readingacts.com/2021/06/14/when-did-the-rejection-at-nazareth-happen-matthew-1353-58/
Ian Paul, "Jesus is rejected by the people of Nazareth in Mark 6": https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/jesus-is-rejected-by-the-people-of-nazareth-in-mark-6/