Bible Strands
1 Kings 16:34
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The biblical narrator addresses the reader, recording a historical event during King Ahab’s reign when Hiel the Bethelite undertakes the reconstruction of Jericho.
The words — The Hebrew בָּנָה (ba.Nah) = he rebuilt and יְרִיחֹה (ye.ri.Choh) = Jericho anchor the action, marking the deliberate restoration of the fortified city.
The thread — This event directly fulfills Joshua 6:26, where Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho, and echoes Joshua 23:14, which affirms the certainty of God’s spoken word.
Why it lands — The text reports Hiel’s reconstruction and the death of his sons before noting it occurred according to the LORD’s word through Joshua, requiring the reader to recognize the precise execution of a prophetic decree without embellishment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
In his days did Hiel the Beth–elite 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.
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.”
- Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- Joshua 23:14 Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.
- Zechariah 1:5 Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever?