This isn't just a historical footnote; it's a chilling testament to defiance. Hiel rebuilt Jericho knowing it was cursed by God, explicitly sacrificing his sons at the very points the curse specified, directly fulfilling Joshua's prophecy as an act of rebellion. The verse forces us to grapple with how far people will go to reject God’s clear warnings.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse pops up during a dark period in Israel's history, right after a string of wicked kings and prophesies of judgment. It's recounting a fulfillment of an ancient curse Joshua pronounced when they first conquered the land – rebuilding the cursed city of Jericho would come with a devastating personal price. This act highlights the people’s dangerous disregard for God’s warnings, even when the consequences are explicitly laid out.
Have you ever wondered about the real-life consequences of curses spoken long ago? This verse reveals a chilling fulfillment of a prophecy that cost a man his children's lives.
The Bible doesn't shy away from the gravity of God's judgments.
A Dire Warning Echoes
Centuries earlier, Joshua pronounced a curse upon anyone who would dare to rebuild the city of Jericho. He stated, 'Cursed by the LORD be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho! With the loss of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates' (Joshua 6:26).
The Price of Defiance
Centuries later, Hiel of Bethel ignored this solemn warning. In defiance of God's clear word, he undertook the rebuilding of Jericho. The verse starkly records the devastating price: his firstborn son, Abiram, died as he laid the foundation, and his youngest son, Segub, died as the gates were completed. This wasn't random tragedy; it was the direct, horrifying fulfillment of Joshua's curse.
Why would someone intentionally rebuild a city under a curse? This story forces us to confront the devastating reality of choosing worldly gain over God's commands.
Hiel's decision to rebuild Jericho wasn't just a construction project; it was a profound act of rebellion against God's declared will.
The Allure of Jericho
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Jericho was a strategically important and fertile city. For Hiel, rebuilding it likely offered significant personal and economic advantages. However, these potential gains were placed above obedience to God's spoken word.
A Choice with Devastating Consequences
This passage serves as a stark reminder that disobedience has real, often tragic, consequences. God's judgment, though sometimes delayed, is sure. Hiel's story illustrates that attempting to build anything – whether a physical city or a life – on a foundation that defies God's truth will ultimately lead to ruin, marked by the loss of what is most precious.
Understand the original words
Yeriho · Hebrew Proper Noun
A fortified city in the Jordan valley destroyed by Joshua at God's command. The prohibition against rebuilding it was a test of faith, and its reconstruction represented a blatant defiance of the prophetic word spoken by Joshua.
This event starkly illustrates that defying God's word carries severe consequences, even centuries after the word was spoken. Hiel’s rebuilding of Jericho, a city cursed by God, serves as a potent warning against disobedience and pride.
c. 1405 BC
Joshua Commands Jericho's Destruction
After leading Israel into the Promised Land, Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho, stating it would be founded on their firstborn and set up at the cost of their youngest son.
c. 1400 BC - 587 BC
The Land Under Judges and Kings
Jericho remained in ruins for centuries, a constant reminder of God's judgment. During this period, Israel experienced cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance under the Judges, followed by the establishment of the monarchy.
c. 870 BC— this verse
Hiel of Bethel Rebuilds Jericho
During the reign of King Ahab, Hiel defied God's ancient word and began rebuilding Jericho. He deliberately fulfilled the prophetic curse by sacrificing his sons in the process.
c. 870 BC
Prophetic Judgment Pronounced
The author of 1 Kings records this event, highlighting Hiel's transgression and the precise fulfillment of Joshua's curse, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His word, both in judgment and in promise.
This passage directly quotes the curse Joshua pronounced, making Hiel's act a direct and tragic fulfillment of God's warning against rebuilding Jericho.
Deuteronomy 18:20This verse speaks about the consequence of uttering a false prophecy in God's name; Hiel's act, though seemingly fulfilling Joshua's word, was in defiance of God's specific prohibition, highlighting the danger of misinterpreting or disobeying divine commands.
Leviticus 27:29This passage discusses things that are 'devoted' or 'utterly destroyed,' which were not to be redeemed. Jericho, being devoted by Joshua, fell under this category, underscoring why its rebuilding, especially with such a terrible cost, was a severe violation.
Jeremiah 31:16This verse offers a contrasting promise of future restoration and blessing, showing that while Hiel's rebuilding of Jericho was a disaster, God’s ultimate plan involves true redemption and joy, not curses paid in blood.
This isn't just a historical footnote; it's a chilling testament to defiance. Hiel rebuilt Jericho knowing it was cursed by God, explicitly sacrificing his sons at the very points the curse specified, directly fulfilling Joshua's prophecy as an act of rebellion. The verse forces us to grapple with how far people will go to reject God’s clear warnings.
This verse pops up during a dark period in Israel's history, right after a string of wicked kings and prophesies of judgment. It's recounting a fulfillment of an ancient curse Joshua pronounced when they first conquered the land – rebuilding the cursed city of Jericho would come with a devastating personal price. This act highlights the people’s dangerous disregard for God’s warnings, even when the consequences are explicitly laid out.
This verse pops up during a dark period in Israel's history, right after a string of wicked kings and prophesies of judgment. It's recounting a fulfillment of an ancient curse Joshua pronounced when they first conquered the land – rebuilding the cursed city of Jericho would come with a devastating personal price. This act highlights the people’s dangerous disregard for God’s warnings, even when the consequences are explicitly laid out.
"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." — This isn't just a historical footnote; it's a chilling testament to defiance. Hiel rebuilt Jericho knowing it was cursed by God, explicitly sacrificing his sons at the very points the curse specifi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
