Jacob's Heil of Bethel Built at Sons' Expense
The biblical account of Jacob's encounter at Bethel is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Genesis, marking a significant spiritual milestone for the patriarch [2]. Jacob's experience at Bethel, where he had a vision of a ladder reaching up to heaven, is later revisited when he is instructed by God to return to Bethel and build an altar there (Genesis 35:1-15) [5].
The connection between Jacob's actions at Bethel and the later account of Hiel rebuilding Jericho is rooted in the curse pronounced by Joshua upon anyone who would attempt to rebuild the city (Joshua 6:26). This curse is fulfilled in 1 Kings 16:34, where it is recorded that Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho, losing his sons in the process, with the firstborn dying when the foundation was laid and the youngest when the gates were set up [1].
The rebuilding of Jericho by Hiel is seen as a defiant act against the divine curse, and the loss of his sons is interpreted as the fulfillment of Joshua's prophecy. The exact nature of their deaths is subject to interpretation, with some understanding it as a literal sacrifice to pagan deities and others seeing it as a consequence of disease or other natural causes [6].
The significance of Bethel in the biblical narrative is multifaceted. Initially, it was the site of Jacob's vision, where he encountered God and vowed to offer sacrifices if he returned safely (Genesis 28:20-22). Later, Jacob returns to Bethel, builds an altar, and renews his covenant with God [2, 5].
The patristic tradition views the events surrounding Jacob and Hiel through the lens of divine providence and the consequences of disobedience. Augustine, for example, reflects on the rejection of certain tribes and the choice of Judah, highlighting the complexities of divine election [7].
In the context of 1 Kings 16:34, the fulfillment of Joshua's curse on Hiel serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disregarding divine commands. The event is seen as a manifestation of God's justice and the seriousness with which He regards obedience to His word [4].
The historical and theological significance of Bethel and the account of Hiel rebuilding Jericho underscore the importance of understanding biblical narratives within their broader theological and historical contexts. The various interpretations of these events across different Christian traditions highlight the richness and complexity of biblical exegesis [3, 8].
The narrative of Jacob at Bethel and the later fulfillment of Joshua's curse on Hiel illustrate the ongoing theme of divine presence and human response throughout the biblical narrative.
Sources
- I Kings “I Kings 16:34 (BBE) — In his days Hiel made Jericho; he put its base in position at the price of Abiram, his oldest son, and he put its doors in place at the price of his youngest son Segub; even as the Lord had said by Joshua, the son of Nun.”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 19, section 2: he had seen and heard; and he poured oil on the stones, because on them the prediction of such great benefits was made. He also vowed a vow, that he would offer sacrifices upon them, if he lived and returned safe; and if he came again in such a condition, he would give the tithe of what he had gotten to God. He also judged the place to be honorable and gave it the name of Bethel, which, in the Greek, is interpreted, The House of God. 4. So he proceeded on his journey to Mesopotamia, and at length came to Haran; and meeting with ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Bethel — (the house of God) well known city and holy place of central Palestine, about 12 mlles north of Jerusalem. If we are to accept the precise definition of (Genesis 12:8) the name of Bethel would appear to have existed at this spot even before the arrival of Abram in Canaan. (Genesis 12:8; 13:3,4) Bethel was the scene of Jacob's vision. (Genesis 28:11-19; 31:13) Jacob lived there. (Genesis 35:1-8) The original name was Luz. (Judges 1:22,23) After the conquest Bethel is frequently heard of. In the troubled times when there was no king in Israel, it was to Bethel ”
- 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”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 35 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 35 This chapter gives an account of Jacob's going to Bethel, and building an altar there by the order and direction of God, Gen 35:1, where Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried, Gen 35:8, and where God appeared to Jacob, confirmed the new name of Israel he had given him, and renewed to him the promises of the multiplication of his seed, and of their inheriting the land of Canaan, Gen 35:9; all which is gratefully acknowledged by Jacob, who erected a pillar in the place, and called it Bethel, in memory of God's gracious ”
- 1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 16:34: 16:34 Despite Joshua’s curse against Jericho (Josh 6:26-27), the site was occasionally and temporarily occupied prior to being rebuilt by Hiel (see Judg 3:13; 2 Sam 10:5; 1 Chr 19:5), as archaeological excavations confirm. Hiel’s efforts signify the spiritual defection of Israel. • When he laid its foundation . . . Segub: The Targum (an interpretive Aramaic translation for Jews who did not know Hebrew after the Exile) suggests that Hiel sacrificed his sons as foundation offerings according to pagan practices; others understand the deaths to be from disease or ac”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LXXVIII. (2) (part 31): them." (ver. 67). 34. "And He rejected," he saith," the tabernacle of Joseph, and the tribe of Ephraim(10) He chose not" (ver. 68). "And He chose the tribe of Judah" (ver. 69). He hath not said, He rejected the tabernacle of Reuben, who was the first-born son of Jacob;(11) nor them that follow, and precede Judah in order of birth; so that they being rejected and not chosen, the tribe of Judah was chosen. For it might have been said that they were deservedly rejected; because even in the blessing of Jacob wherewith he”
- Genesis (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Genesis 35 (introduction): Journey to Bethel. - Jacob had allowed ten years to pass since his return from Mesopotamia, without performing the vow which he made at Bethel when fleeing from Esau (Gen 28:20.), although he had recalled it to mind when resolving to return (Gen 31:13), and had also erected an altar in Shechem to the "God of Israel" (Gen 33:20). He was now directed by God (Gen 35:1) to go to Bethel, and there build an altar to the God who had appeared to him on his flight from Esau. This command stirred him up to perform what had been neglected, viz., to put away ”