1 Kings 16:34

KJV

In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest [son] Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

KJV (with Strong's)

In his days {H3117} did Hiel {H2419} the Bethelite {H1017} build {H1129} Jericho {H3405}: he laid the foundation {H3245} thereof in Abiram {H48} his firstborn {H1060}, and set up {H5324} the gates {H1817} thereof in his youngest {H6810} son Segub {H7687}, according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, which he spake {H1696} by {H3027} Joshua {H3091} the son {H1121} of Nun {H5126}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was during his time that Hi'el of Beit-El rebuilt Yericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of his firstborn son Aviram and erected its gates at the cost of his youngest son S'guv. This was in keeping with the word of ADONAI spoken through Y'hoshua the son of Nun.

Berean Standard Bible

In Ahab’s days, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. At the cost of Abiram his firstborn he laid its foundation, and at the cost of Segub his youngest he set up its gates, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.

American Standard Version

In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates thereof with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 16:34 records the grim and precise fulfillment of an ancient curse, serving as a stark testament to the unyielding nature of God's word and the severe consequences of human defiance. Amidst the spiritual apostasy and moral decay characterizing King Ahab's wicked reign, Hiel, a man from Bethel, audaciously undertook the rebuilding of Jericho, a city under a centuries-old divine ban. In a tragic and public demonstration of divine judgment, Hiel paid an unspeakable price for his sacrilege: his firstborn son, Abiram, died when the foundation was laid, and his youngest son, Segub, perished when the city gates were erected, precisely as the LORD had foretold through Joshua.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears as a significant parenthetical insertion within the broader narrative of King Ahab's exceptionally wicked reign over the northern kingdom of Israel. Chapters 16-22 of 1 Kings are dominated by Ahab and his Phoenician wife, Jezebel, who aggressively promoted Baal worship, leading the nation into profound idolatry and moral corruption. The mention of Hiel's act is not a random historical detail but a pointed illustration of the pervasive spiritual depravity and flagrant disregard for Yahweh's commands that characterized this dark period. It serves as a stark counterpoint to the prophetic ministry of Elijah, which begins immediately after this verse, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation between Yahweh and Baal and emphasizing the desperate spiritual state of the nation under [Ahab's rule](/1_kings/16 "1 Kings 16 - Ahab's Reign").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Jericho held immense historical and symbolic weight for Israel, being the first city conquered in Canaan under Joshua's leadership. After its miraculous fall, Joshua pronounced a solemn curse on anyone who would attempt to rebuild it, stating, "Cursed before the LORD be the man who rises up and builds this city, Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates" ([Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua 6:26 - Joshua's Curse on Jericho")). Hiel's act, therefore, was not merely an act of construction but a direct, audacious challenge to a centuries-old divine decree. Furthermore, the practice of "foundation sacrifice" (though abhorrent to Yahweh) was known in ancient Near Eastern pagan cultures, where the death of a child or animal was believed to consecrate a building and ensure its stability. While the text does not explicitly state Hiel performed human sacrifice, the phrasing strongly implies a direct causal link between his building project and the deaths of his sons, fulfilling the curse.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme elucidated by this verse is the **unwavering fulfillment of divine prophecy and curse**. It powerfully demonstrates that God's word, once spoken, will inevitably come to pass, regardless of the passage of time or human defiance. This reinforces the absolute reliability and authority of God's declarations, as seen in the broader narrative of God's covenant faithfulness throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Secondly, the verse highlights **audacious defiance and profound disobedience** to God's explicit commands. Hiel's act was a deliberate rejection of a clear divine prohibition, symptomatic of the widespread spiritual rebellion pervasive during Ahab's reign, where the people had "done evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him" ([1 Kings 16:30](/1_kings/16-30 "1 Kings 16:30 - Ahab's Wickedness")). Finally, it underscores the theme of **divine judgment and the severe consequences of sin**. The deaths of Hiel's sons are presented as direct, divinely ordained retribution, serving as a chilling reminder that God's justice is not to be trifled with and that "the wages of sin is death" ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bethelite (Hebrew, _Bêṯ-ʼēlî_):** This designation is significant. Bethel ("House of God") was a historically sacred site, where Jacob had his dream ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel")). However, by the time of Jeroboam I, it had become a center for idolatrous calf worship ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Bethel")), a place of spiritual corruption. Hiel, coming from such a place, underscores the pervasive apostasy and disregard for God's true worship, even in places once hallowed.
* **laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn (Hebrew, _yissĕdāh bî-ʼăḇîrāām bikkōrô_):** The preposition "in" (בְּ, _bĕ_) here signifies direct association or consequence. It's a chilling idiom indicating that Abiram's death occurred *at the time of* or *as a direct result of* the laying of the foundation. It strongly implies a causal link, not merely a temporal coincidence, and points to the immediate and devastating fulfillment of Joshua's curse.
* **according to the word of the LORD (Hebrew, _kidḇar YHWH_):** This phrase explicitly attributes the tragic events to divine decree and purpose. It removes any doubt that the deaths of Hiel's sons were random misfortunes, instead affirming them as direct, precise fulfillments of the curse spoken by Joshua. It highlights God's sovereignty and the certainty of His prophetic utterances, emphasizing that His word is active and effective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho":** This clause sets the historical stage, placing Hiel's defiant act squarely within the reign of King Ahab, a period notorious for its profound spiritual decline and idolatry. Hiel, from Bethel, a city corrupted by false worship, undertakes the forbidden task of rebuilding Jericho, demonstrating a brazen disregard for divine command and a spirit of rebellion characteristic of the era.
* **"he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn":** This chilling phrase details the first specific fulfillment of Joshua's ancient curse. As Hiel began the construction of Jericho by laying its foundation, his firstborn son, Abiram, tragically died. The preposition "in" (Heb. _bĕ_) powerfully connects Abiram's death directly to this initial stage of the building project, marking it as a divinely ordained consequence.
* **"and set up the gates thereof in his youngest [son] Segub":** This completes the grim fulfillment of the curse. As Hiel brought the building project to its conclusion by erecting the city gates, his youngest son, Segub, also perished. This symmetrical loss—firstborn at the beginning, youngest at the end—underscores the precise and comprehensive nature of the divine judgment, leaving Hiel utterly bereft.
* **"according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun":** This concluding phrase serves as the theological anchor of the verse. It explicitly states that these tragic deaths were not accidental but the direct and exact fulfillment of the curse pronounced by Joshua centuries earlier ([Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua 6:26 - Joshua's Curse on Jericho")). It emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness to His word, whether in blessing or in judgment, and His absolute sovereignty over human actions and their consequences.

#### Literary Devices
1 Kings 16:34 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is its function as a **Parenthetical Insertion**, abruptly interrupting the detailed account of Ahab's wickedness (1 Kings 16:30-33) to highlight a specific, chilling event that underscores the pervasive spiritual rebellion of the era. This serves to amplify the depth of Israel's apostasy. The verse also utilizes **Fulfillment of Prophecy** as its central dramatic device, directly referencing and demonstrating the precise execution of Joshua's ancient curse. This creates a powerful sense of divine sovereignty and the inescapable nature of God's word. There is a strong element of **Tragic Irony** in Hiel's actions: his attempt to rebuild a city, an act of creation, leads directly to the destruction of his own family, specifically his firstborn and youngest sons, mirroring the very curse he defied. Furthermore, the mention of Hiel as a "Bethelite" adds a layer of **Symbolism** and **Irony**, as Bethel, meaning "House of God," had become a notorious center for idolatry under Jeroboam, making Hiel's defiance even more poignant given his geographical origin. The symmetrical loss of the firstborn and youngest also functions as a powerful **Chiasm** or **Bookending** effect, emphasizing the complete and devastating fulfillment of the curse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The tragic narrative of Hiel the Bethelite serves as a profound theological statement on the absolute certainty and enduring power of God's word. It unequivocally demonstrates that divine pronouncements, whether of blessing or curse, are not idle threats or mere suggestions but immutable decrees that will inevitably come to pass, often with precise and devastating accuracy. This event underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His own declarations and His sovereign control over history and human destiny. It reveals a God who does not forget or overlook defiance, and whose justice, though sometimes delayed, is ultimately inescapable. For the Israelite reader, it would have been a stark reminder of the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy and the serious implications of national apostasy.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 55:10-11](/isaiah/55-10 "Isaiah 55:10-11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Hiel and Jericho, while ancient, resonates deeply with timeless truths for believers today. It calls us to a profound reverence for God's word, acknowledging its authority and unchanging nature. We are reminded that God's commands and warnings are not arbitrary restrictions but expressions of His holy character and His desire for our good. To disregard them, even those seemingly distant or inconvenient, is to invite serious consequences, not necessarily in the same physical form as Hiel's tragedy, but certainly in spiritual and relational brokenness. This passage challenges us to examine areas in our lives where we might be subtly defying God's known will, perhaps rationalizing disobedience or dismissing His warnings. It compels us to cultivate a spirit of humble obedience, trusting that God's ways are always just and ultimately lead to life, while rebellion leads to death. Our response to God's word should be one of submission and trust, recognizing that His faithfulness extends to both His promises and His warnings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly defying God's known commands or principles, perhaps rationalizing my actions?**
* **How does the certainty of God's word, as demonstrated in this passage, impact my trust in His promises for my life?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a deeper reverence and more consistent obedience to God's revealed will?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jericho cursed in the first place, and why was rebuilding it so severely punished?**

Answer: Jericho was the first city in Canaan that the Israelites conquered after crossing the Jordan River, making it the "firstfruits" of their conquest of the Promised Land. As such, it was to be entirely devoted to God (herem), with all its inhabitants and possessions destroyed, except for specific items dedicated to the LORD's treasury. Joshua's curse ([Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua 6:26 - Joshua's Curse on Jericho")) was pronounced to prevent its rebuilding, symbolizing that it remained consecrated to God and was not to be re-inhabited or re-established by human will. Rebuilding it was an act of profound sacrilege, a direct challenge to God's unique claim over the city and His authority over the land. It was an attempt to reverse a divine decree and essentially "take back" what God had claimed for Himself, hence the severe and specific punishment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 16:34 vividly portrays the severe consequences of defying God's word under the Old Covenant, it ultimately points us to the profound fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The curse on Jericho, and its precise execution, underscores God's unwavering commitment to His word, a commitment perfectly embodied in Christ. Unlike Hiel, who brought death through disobedience, Jesus, the [obedient Son](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience"), perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and bore the curse of the Law on our behalf ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Where Hiel's rebuilding project resulted in the death of his sons, Jesus's ultimate act of "rebuilding"—His resurrection and the establishment of His church—brings eternal life. He is the [foundation stone](/1_peter/2-6 "1 Peter 2:6 - Christ, the Living Stone") upon which a new spiritual temple is built, a temple not of bricks and mortar, but of living stones, believers united in Him ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The curse of death, which fell upon Hiel's sons, was ultimately conquered by Christ, who, through His own death and resurrection, opened the gates of eternal life for all who believe ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Gate")). Thus, the chilling judgment on Hiel serves as a stark backdrop against which the glorious grace and life-giving power of Christ's finished work shine even brighter.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 6:26

And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

Joshua 23:14

And, behold, this day I [am] going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.

Joshua 23:15

Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Zechariah 1:5

Your fathers, where [are] they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?