Hiel's Rebuilding of Jericho and Consequences in 1 Kings 16
Hiel's Rebuilding of Jericho and its Consequences
The rebuilding of Jericho by Hiel the Bethelite during the reign of King Ahab is recorded in 1 Kings 16:34. The verse states, "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" [3].
This event is directly linked to Joshua's curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho, as recorded in Joshua 6:26. The curse was fulfilled when Hiel's sons died during the rebuilding process. The deaths of his sons, Abiram and Segub, are seen as a direct consequence of Hiel's actions, which were in defiance of Joshua's adjuration [1, 2].
The historical context of this event is significant. Jericho had been destroyed by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, and its rebuilding was seen as a challenge to God's command and the curse pronounced upon it. Hiel's actions, therefore, were not just a practical decision but a theological statement, potentially indicating a return to the pre-conquest practices or a disregard for the divine command [7].
The passage highlights the theme of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. Hiel's rebuilding of Jericho, despite the curse, resulted in personal tragedy. This narrative serves as a warning against disregarding divine prohibitions and underscores the belief in the active presence of God in the lives of individuals and communities [5, 6].
The fulfillment of Joshua's curse on Hiel is seen by various commentators as a demonstration of God's justice and the seriousness with which He regards obedience and disobedience. John Gill notes that Hiel's actions were likely done with the knowledge and possibly the approval of King Ahab, highlighting the religious and political context of the time [5].
The narrative of Hiel's rebuilding of Jericho and its consequences provides insight into the religious beliefs and practices of ancient Israel, emphasizing the importance of adhering to divine commands and the potential consequences of disobedience.
The account of Hiel's actions and their consequences ends with a stark reminder of the cost of disobedience, as the rebuilding of Jericho was achieved at the cost of his children, fulfilling the ancient curse pronounced by Joshua [3, 4].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Bethelite — A designation of Hiel (q.v.), who rebuilt Jericho and experienced the curse pronounced long before (1 Kings 16:34).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hiel — (God liveth), a native of Bethel, who rebuilt Jericho in the reign of Ahab, (1 Kings 16:34) (B.C. after 915), and in whom was fulfilled the curse pronounced by Joshua, (Joshua 6:26) five hundred years before.”
- 1 Kings “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. -- 1 Kings 16:34”
- I Kings “I Kings 16:34 (LEB) — In his days, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho; at the cost of Abiram his firstborn he laid its foundation, and at the cost of Segub his younger sibling, he set up its gates, according to the word of Yahweh which he spoke by the hand of Joshua the son of Nun.”
- 1 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Kings 16:26: And in his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho,.... Which was forbidden by Joshua under an anathema; but this man, either ignorant of that adjuration of Joshua, or in contempt and defiance of it, and knowing it might please the king and queen, set about the rebuilding of it; and it being done by the leave and under the authority of Ahab, is mentioned together with his wicked actions: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn: that is, his firstborn died as soon as he laid the foundation of the city, but this did not deter him from going on with ”
- 1 Kings (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Kings 16:34: JOSHUA'S CURSE FULFILLED UPON HIEL THE BUILDER OF JERICHO. (Kg1 16:34) In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho--(see on Jos 6:26). The curse took effect on the family of this reckless man but whether his oldest son died at the time of laying the foundation, and the youngest at the completion of the work, or whether he lost all his sons in rapid succession, till, at the end of the undertaking, he found himself childless, the poetical form of the ban does not enable us to determine. Some modern commentators think there is no reference either”
- Joshua (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joshua 6:26: And Joshua adjured them at that time,.... When the city was burnt and spoiled; not that he adjured the people individually, or one by one, which was not very practicable, but in a general way: saying, cursed be the man before the Lord; let him be cursed by him with the curses written in the book of the law; and let him be driven from him, from his presence, as Cain was: that riseth up, and buildeth this city Jericho; that rises up in future time, and rebuilds it; for it cannot be thought that after such an adjuration anyone would start up quickly, and rebuild it: ”