1 Kings 16:34 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →During Ahab's reign Hiel rebuilds Jericho and loses his firstborn and youngest sons, fulfilling the curse Joshua spoke generations before.
What Does 1 Kings 16:34 Mean?
The chapter ends with a striking sign of the times. A man named Hiel rebuilds Jericho, and in doing so loses his firstborn Abiram and his youngest son Segub, fulfilling 'the word of the LORD' spoken through Joshua centuries earlier, when he cursed anyone who would refound the city.
That an ancient word of God finds its exact fulfillment in Ahab's faithless generation is no small detail. It proclaims that God's word stands across the centuries, unbroken by the passing of years or the rebellion of kings. The same faithfulness that fulfills a curse also keeps every promise, anchoring our hope in the One whose every word will surely come to pass.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 16:34
What does 1 Kings 16:34 mean?
During Ahab's reign Hiel rebuilds Jericho and loses his firstborn and youngest sons, fulfilling the curse Joshua spoke generations before.