Topical Encyclopedia Background and Context:Abiram, the son of Hiel, is a lesser-known figure in the Bible, primarily mentioned in the context of a tragic fulfillment of a curse associated with the rebuilding of the city of Jericho. His account is found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of 1 Kings. Biblical Account: The account of Abiram is closely tied to the actions of his father, Hiel the Bethelite. Hiel undertook the rebuilding of Jericho during the reign of King Ahab, a period marked by widespread idolatry and apostasy in the northern kingdom of Israel. This act of rebuilding was significant because it directly contravened a curse pronounced by Joshua centuries earlier. In the book of Joshua, after the fall of Jericho, Joshua declared a curse on anyone who would rebuild the city: "At the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates" (Joshua 6:26). This curse was a divine warning against the restoration of a city that had been devoted to destruction. Fulfillment of the Curse: The fulfillment of Joshua's curse is recorded in 1 Kings 16:34: "In Ahab’s days, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. At the cost of Abiram, his firstborn, he laid its foundation, and at the cost of Segub, his youngest, he set up its gates, according to the word of the LORD spoken through Joshua son of Nun" . This passage indicates that Abiram, Hiel's firstborn son, died when the foundations of Jericho were laid. The death of Abiram, along with his brother Segub, who died when the gates were set up, serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of defying divine pronouncements. Theological Implications: The account of Abiram and his brother Segub underscores the seriousness with which God’s words and curses were regarded in the biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of divine retribution and the fulfillment of prophetic words, serving as a cautionary tale about the cost of disobedience to God's commands. Cultural and Historical Significance: The rebuilding of Jericho by Hiel and the subsequent deaths of his sons reflect the broader context of Israel's spiritual decline during the reign of Ahab. This period was characterized by the worship of Baal and the influence of Jezebel, Ahab's wife, who promoted idolatry and opposed the worship of Yahweh. Abiram's death, as part of the fulfillment of Joshua's curse, is a poignant illustration of the intersection between human actions and divine will, a recurring theme in the historical books of the Old Testament. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 16:34In 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 spoke by Joshua the son of Nun. Nave's Topical Index Library The Healing of the Waters Letter cviii. To Eustochium. The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Resources Who was Eleazar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is a God of wonders? | GotQuestions.org Who was Dathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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