1 Kings 16:34
New International Version
In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun.

New Living Translation
It was during his reign that Hiel, a man from Bethel, rebuilt Jericho. When he laid its foundations, it cost him the life of his oldest son, Abiram. And when he completed it and set up its gates, it cost him the life of his youngest son, Segub. This all happened according to the message from the LORD concerning Jericho spoken by Joshua son of Nun.

English Standard Version
In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the LORD, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun.

New American Standard Bible
In his days Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

NASB 1995
In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

NASB 1977
In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

Legacy Standard Bible
In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of Yahweh, which He spoke by the hand of Joshua the son of Nun.

Amplified Bible
In his days, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD, which He spoke through Joshua the son of Nun.

Christian Standard Bible
During his reign, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. At the cost of Abiram his firstborn, he laid its foundation, and at the cost of Segub his youngest, he finished its gates, according to the word of the LORD he had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
During his reign, Hiel the Bethelite built 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 of the LORD He 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.

Contemporary English Version
While Ahab was king, a man from Bethel named Hiel rebuilt the town of Jericho. But while Hiel was laying the foundation for the town wall, his oldest son Abiram died. And while he was finishing the gates, his youngest son Segub died. This happened just as the LORD had told Joshua to say many years ago.

English Revised Version
In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof with the loss of his youngest son Segub; according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by the hand of Joshua the son of Nun.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In Ahab's time Hiel from Bethel rebuilt Jericho. Laying the foundation cost him his firstborn son, Abiram. Setting up the city doors cost him his youngest son, Segub. The LORD had spoken this through Joshua, son of Nun.

Good News Translation
During his reign Hiel from Bethel rebuilt Jericho. As the LORD had foretold through Joshua son of Nun, Hiel lost his oldest son Abiram when he laid the foundation of Jericho, and his youngest son Segub when he built the gates.

International Standard Version
It was during Ahab's reign that Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations just as his firstborn son Abiram was dying, and he erected its gates while his youngest son Segub was dying, thus fulfilling the message that the LORD delivered through Nun's son Joshua.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
During Ahab's reign, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. Abiram, his firstborn son, died when he laid the foundation; Segub, his youngest son, died when he erected its gates, just as the LORD had warned through Joshua son of Nun.

New Heart English Bible
In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho: he laid its foundation with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

Webster's Bible Translation
In his days Hiel the Beth-elite built Jericho: he laid the foundation of it in Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates of it in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

World English Bible
In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. He laid its foundation with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to Yahweh’s word, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In his days Hiel the Beth-Elite has built Jericho; he laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and he set up its doors with Segub his youngest, according to the word of YHWH that He spoke by the hand of Joshua son of Nun.

Young's Literal Translation
In his days hath Hiel the Beth-Elite built Jericho; in Abiram his first-born he laid its foundation, and in Segub his youngest he set up its doors, according to the word of Jehovah that He spake by the hand of Joshua son of Nun.

Smith's Literal Translation
In his days Hiel of the house of God, built Jericho: in Abiram his first born he will found it, and in Segub his younger he set up its gates, according to the word of Jehovah which he spake by the hand of Joshua son of Nun.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho: in Abiram his firstborn he laid its foundations: and in his youngest son Segub he set up the gates thereof: according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Josue the son of Nun.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In his days, Hiel from Bethel built up Jericho. With Abiram, his firstborn, he founded it, and with Segub, his youngest son, he set up its gates, in accord with the word of the Lord, which he had spoken by the hand of Joshua, the son of Nun.

New American Bible
During his reign, Hiel from Bethel rebuilt Jericho. At the cost of Abiram, his firstborn son, he laid the foundation, and at the cost of Segub, his youngest son, he set up the gates, according to the word of the LORD spoken through Joshua, son of Nun.

New Revised Standard Version
In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho; he laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua son of Nun.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
In his days did Ahab build the accursed place, Jericho; he finished it with the death of Abiram, his first-born, and set up its gates with the death of his younger son Shacob, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And in his days Akhab built the Place of the Curse, Jeirikho, with Abiram his firstborn. He finished it and with Shakub his younger established its gates, according to the word of LORD JEHOVAH that he spoke by the agency of Yeshua son of Nun.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho; with Abiram his first-born he laid the foundation thereof, and with his youngest son Segub he set up the gates thereof; according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by the hand of Joshua the son of Nun.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And in his days Achiel the Baethelite built Jericho: he laid the foundation of it in Abiron his first-born, and he set up the doors of it in Segub his younger son, according to the word of the Lord which he spoke by Joshua the son of Naue.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ahab Reigns in Israel, Marries Jezebel
33Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him. 34In 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.

Cross References
Joshua 6:26
At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.”

Hebrews 11:30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Luke 19:44
They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

1 Kings 13:2
And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”

2 Kings 2:19-22
Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” / “Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him, / and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’” ...

2 Kings 23:16
And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things.

Jeremiah 7:34
I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sounds of joy and gladness and the voices of the bride and bridegroom, for the land will become a wasteland.”

Jeremiah 19:11
and you are to proclaim to them that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I will shatter this nation and this city, like one shatters a potter’s jar that can never again be repaired. They will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room to bury them.

Ezekiel 13:14
I will tear down the wall you whitewashed and level it to the ground, so that its foundation is exposed. The city will fall, and you will be destroyed within it. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 26:14
I will make you a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread the fishing nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the LORD, have spoken, declares the Lord GOD.’

Micah 1:6
Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble in the open field, a planting area for a vineyard. I will pour her stones into the valley and expose her foundations.

Zechariah 14:11
People will live there, and never again will there be an utter destruction. So Jerusalem will dwell securely.

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.


Treasury of Scripture

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 spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

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 23:14,15
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…

Zechariah 1:5
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

Jump to Previous
Abiram Build Built Firstborn First-Born Foundation Gates Hand Jericho Joshua Laid Nun Segub Thereof Word Youngest
Jump to Next
Abiram Build Built Firstborn First-Born Foundation Gates Hand Jericho Joshua Laid Nun Segub Thereof Word Youngest
1 Kings 16
1. Jehu's prophecy against Baasha
5. Elah succeeds him
8. Zimri, conspiring against Elah, succeeds him
11. Zimri executes Jehu's prophecy
15. Omri, made king by the soldiers, forces Zimri desperately to burn himself
21. The kingdom being divided, Omri prevails against Tibni
23. Omri builds Samaria
25. His wicked reign
27. Ahab succeeds him
29. Ahab's most wicked reign
34. Joshua's curse upon Hiel the builder of Jericho














In Ahab’s days
This phrase situates the events within the reign of King Ahab, a period marked by significant apostasy and moral decline in Israel. Ahab, influenced by his wife Jezebel, led Israel into idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal. The phrase underscores the spiritual darkness of the era, setting the stage for the fulfillment of a divine curse. The historical context is crucial, as it highlights the contrast between the faithfulness of God’s word and the unfaithfulness of Israel’s leadership.

Hiel the Bethelite
Hiel, identified as a Bethelite, indicates his origin from Bethel, a city associated with idolatry since Jeroboam I set up a golden calf there (1 Kings 12:29). This association with Bethel may imply Hiel’s disregard for the God of Israel, aligning with the idolatrous practices of the time. His actions reflect a broader cultural and spiritual rebellion against God’s commands.

rebuilt Jericho
Jericho, the first city conquered by the Israelites under Joshua, was cursed to remain unrebuilt (Joshua 6:26). The act of rebuilding it signifies a blatant defiance of God’s explicit command. This rebuilding is not merely a physical act but a spiritual transgression, symbolizing the rejection of God’s authority and the consequences of ignoring His decrees.

At the cost of Abiram his firstborn
The phrase indicates the fulfillment of Joshua’s curse, where the rebuilder of Jericho would do so at the cost of his firstborn. The death of Abiram serves as a divine judgment and a stark reminder of the seriousness of God’s word. It illustrates the principle that disobedience to God’s commands leads to severe consequences, reinforcing the theme of divine justice.

he laid its foundations
Laying the foundations of Jericho signifies the beginning of its reconstruction. This act, resulting in the loss of Hiel’s firstborn, underscores the gravity of defying God’s pronouncements. It serves as a warning that the foundations of any endeavor built in opposition to God’s will are inherently unstable and doomed to bring sorrow.

and at the cost of Segub his youngest
The completion of Jericho’s gates at the cost of Segub, Hiel’s youngest son, further fulfills Joshua’s curse. This tragic outcome emphasizes the totality of God’s judgment and the fulfillment of His word. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of rebellion and the importance of adhering to God’s commands.

he set up its gates
Setting up the gates represents the completion of Jericho’s reconstruction. The gates, often symbolizing security and strength, ironically become a testament to the futility of human efforts against divine decrees. This act, resulting in the loss of another son, highlights the ultimate futility and tragedy of opposing God’s will.

according to the word of the LORD
This phrase affirms the reliability and authority of God’s word. Despite the passage of time, God’s pronouncements remain true and unalterable. It serves as a powerful reminder of the faithfulness of God’s promises and the certainty of His judgments.

spoken through Joshua son of Nun
Referencing Joshua, the leader who initially conquered Jericho, ties the events back to the original divine command. It underscores the continuity of God’s word across generations and the enduring nature of His decrees. Joshua’s role as a faithful servant contrasts with the disobedience of Hiel, highlighting the blessings of obedience versus the curses of rebellion.

(34) Did Hiel . . . build Jericho.--This marks both the growth of prosperity and power, and the neglect of the old curse of Joshua (Joshua 6:26). The place had not, it would appear, been entirely deserted. (See Judges 3:13; 2Samuel 10:5.) But it was now made--what it continued to be even down to the time of Herod--an important place. Its natural advantages were great. It stood in a position well watered, and accordingly of great beauty and fruitfulness ("the city of palm trees"), and was, moreover, a city of military consequence, as commanding the pass from the valley of the Jordan to the high ground of Ai and Bethel. Having been assigned to Benjamin (Joshua 18:21), it should have properly belonged to the kingdom of Judah. Its being rebuilt by a Bethelite, evidently under the patronage of Ahab, is one of the indications of a half-dependent condition of the Southern kingdom at this time.

Verse 34. - In his days did Hiel the Bethelite [Observe the form בֵּית הָךאלִי, and see note on 1 Kings 2:8. It is noticeable that it was reserved for a man of Bethel to commit this act of impiety. It was to such results the worship of the calves contributed] build [i.e., rebuild, fortify, as in 1 Kings 12:25; cf. 1 Kings 9:17. It is clear from Judges 3:13 and 2 Samuel 10:5 that it had not been entirely uninhabited. But the Arab village was now converted into a town with gates and bars] Jericho [We learn from Joshua 18:21 that Jericho then belonged to Benjamin. It had evidently passed, however, at this date into the possession of Israel. It has been suggested that the transference took place in the reign of Baasha (Rawlinson). But it would seem that from the very first, parts of Benjamin (notably Bethel, Joshua 18:13) belonged to the northern kingdom. See Ewald, "Hist. Israel," 4:2, 3. It is not quite clear whether the rebuilding of Jericho is mentioned as a proof of the daring impiety of that age and of the utter contempt with which the warnings of the law were treated, or as showing the ignorance and consequent disregard of law which prevailed. But, on the whole, it seems to be implied that Hiel knew of the threatening of Joshua, and treated it with defiance. It has been suggested that the rebuilding had really been instigated by Ahab, and for his own purposes, hoping thereby to "secure to himself the passage across the Jordan" (Keil), but the text affords but slight warrant for this conjecture]: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn [i.e., at the cost of, in the life of, Abiram], and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord [Joshua 6:26], which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun. [The exact fulfilment of the prophecy is mentioned, as showing that even in those dark and troublous times God did not leave Himself without witness, and that law could never be violated with impunity.]



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In [Ahab's] days,
בְּיָמָ֞יו (bə·yā·māw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

Hiel
חִיאֵ֛ל (ḥî·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2419: Hiel -- probably 'brother of God', a rebuilder of Jericho

the Bethelite
הָאֱלִ֖י (hā·’ĕ·lî)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1017: Bethelite -- a Beth-elite

built
בָּנָ֥ה (bā·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

Jericho.
יְרִיחֹ֑ה (yə·rî·ḥōh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3405: Jericho -- a city in the Jordan Valley captured by Joshua

At the cost of Abiram
בַּאֲבִירָ֨ם (ba·’ă·ḇî·rām)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 48: Abiram -- 'exalted father', an Israelite name

his firstborn
בְּכֹר֜וֹ (bə·ḵō·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

he laid its foundation,
יִסְּדָ֗הּ (yis·sə·ḏāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3245: To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult

and at the cost of Segub
וּבִשְׂג֤וּב (ū·ḇiś·ḡūḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7687: Segub -- 'exalted', two Israelites

his youngest
צְעִירוֹ֙ (ṣə·‘î·rōw)
Adjective - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6810: Little, insignificant, young

he set up
הִצִּ֣יב (hiṣ·ṣîḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5324: To take one's stand, stand

its gates,
דְּלָתֶ֔יהָ (də·lā·ṯe·hā)
Noun - fdc | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

according to the word
כִּדְבַ֣ר (kiḏ·ḇar)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had spoken
דִּבֶּ֔ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

through
בְּיַ֖ד (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

son
בִּן־ (bin-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Nun.
נֽוּן׃ (nūn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5126: Nun -- father of Joshua


Links
1 Kings 16:34 NIV
1 Kings 16:34 NLT
1 Kings 16:34 ESV
1 Kings 16:34 NASB
1 Kings 16:34 KJV

1 Kings 16:34 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 16:34 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 16:34 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 16:34 French Bible
1 Kings 16:34 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 16:34 In his days did Hiel the Bethelite (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 16:33
Top of Page
Top of Page