Biblical scientific errors

Biblical scientific errors is the belief that the Bible contains scientific inaccuracies, but when read in proper context, the passages cited contain no scientific errors.

Verses cited as scientific errors

Bat as bird

You shall detest these among the birds; they shall not be eaten because they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat. Leviticus 11:13-19

Supposed error: The verse calls bats birds, but bats are mammals.

Rebuttal: While science classifies bats as mammals, the Hebrew term used in these verses is ‘ôp (עוֹף), which can mean "flying creatures" rather than exclusively feathered birds, they grouped by what it does, not by science rules.

Mustard seed as smallest seed

He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took, and sowed in his field, which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32

He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth Mark 4:30-31

Supposed error: The verse claims the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, but smaller seeds exist.

Rebuttal: The Bible does not say the mustard seed is the smallest seed in the world. It is the smallest seed the farmer has and sows in his field. Like saying a penny is the smallest coin when you hand out quarters, nickels, and pennies even if a dime is smaller. The Greek word translated as “earth” or "world" (γῆ) can mean "land", "soil", or "ground" too.

Anatomy of insects

All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you. Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have long, jointed legs for hopping on the earth. Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper. But all winged creeping things which have four feet are an abomination to you. Leviticus 11:20-23

Supposed error: Bible says insects have four legs, but they have six.

Rebuttal: It counts four walking legs plus two back jumping legs. Leviticus 11:21 shows the four feet are for walking. The two hind legs are different and used for hopping, The Bible is being very precise as to distinguish the front four from the back two.

4 walking legs + 2 hind hopping legs = 6 total legs.

6 day creation

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’” Exodus 31:17

Supposed error: The verse says God created the world in six days (6 days as in 24 hour days).

Rebuttal: Young earth creationists and Gap creationists believe the six day creation is in 24-hour days, there are Christians who believe in Day age creationism and Theistic evolution and they believe the six day creation represent long periods and not 24-hour days.