The Hebrew word Sᵉgûwb, represented by H7687, is defined as "aloft" and appears as the proper name of two Israelites. It is used 3 times across 3 unique verses, identifying individuals in both historical and genealogical contexts.
In the biblical narrative, H7687 is used to identify two distinct men. The first is Segub, the youngest son of Hiel the Bethelite, whose death occurred when his father set up the gates of the rebuilt Jericho, fulfilling a divine curse 1 Kings 16:34. The second Segub appears in the genealogies as the son of Hezron, born to him from the daughter of Machir 1 Chronicles 2:21. This Segub went on to beget Jair, who held cities in the land of Gilead 1 Chronicles 2:22.
Several related words provide context for the roles these men played in the biblical record:
- H1060 bᵉkôwr (firstborn): This term is used for Segub's brother, Abiram, who died when the foundation of Jericho was laid. It establishes the tragic bookend to Hiel's act of defiance, with the loss of both the firstborn and youngest son 1 Kings 16:34.
- H6810 tsâʻîyr (youngest): This adjective explicitly describes Segub's position in his family as the "youngest son" whose life was forfeit upon the completion of Jericho's gates, according to the curse spoken by Joshua 1 Kings 16:34.
- H1121 bên (son): As the fundamental term for a male heir, "son" is crucial to understanding Segub's identity. He is named as the son of Hiel in the context of judgment 1 Kings 16:34 and as the son of Hezron in the context of lineage 1 Chronicles 2:21.
The theological significance of H7687 is tied directly to the narratives in which the name appears.
- Fulfillment of God's Word: The story of Segub, son of Hiel, is a stark demonstration of divine judgment. His death, along with that of his firstborn brother, serves as the literal fulfillment of the curse Joshua had placed upon any man who dared to rebuild Jericho Joshua 6:26.
- The Cost of Disobedience: The account in 1 Kings 16:34 illustrates the severe consequences of defying a direct command from the Lord. Hiel's rebuilding of Jericho cost him his firstborn at the foundation and his youngest son, Segub, at the setting of the gates.
- Genealogical Importance: In contrast, the mention of Segub in the book of Chronicles highlights the value of every individual link in the lineage of Israel. He is recorded as a son of Hezron and the father of Jair, preserving the ancestral record of a family that held land in Gilead 1 Chronicles 2:22.
In summary, H7687 is a proper name, Segub, tied to two different individuals whose stories contribute to the biblical narrative in distinct ways. One serves as a solemn reminder of the certainty of God's word and the high cost of disobedience. The other functions as a vital part of the genealogical record, tracing the lineage of the people of Israel and their inheritance in the land.
TRV