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.
Study Helps
Interpretation
Ahab did evil above all that reigned before him, and did it with a particular enmity both against Jehovah and Israel. He was not satisfied with breaking the second commandment by image-worship, he broke the first by worshipping other gods: making light of lesser sins makes way for greater.
Glossary
- Abiram Person
- Father of height; i. e., “proud. ” (1. ) One of the sons of Eliab, who joined Korah in the conspiracy against Moses and Aaron.
- Bethel Place
- House of God. (1. ) A place in Central Palestine, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem, at the head of the pass of Michmash and Ai. It was originally the royal Canaanite city of Luz ( Gen. 28:19 ). Modern identification: Beitin.
- Jericho Place
- Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell es Sultan.
- Joshua Tribe
- Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. He is called Jehoshua in Num. 13:16 (A. V. ), and Jesus in Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8 .
- Nun Person
- Beyond the fact that he was the father of Joshua nothing more is known of him ( Ex. 33:11 ).
- Segub Person
- Elevated. (1. ) The youngest son of Hiel the Bethelite. His death is recorded in 1 Kings 16:34 (comp. Josh. 6:26 ). (2. ) A descendant of Judah ( 1 Chr. 2:21 , 22).