Lexical Definition
חִיאֵל Chîyʼêl (khee-ale') Hiel N:N-M-P
from חַי and אֵל; living of God
Hiel.
- § Hiel = "God lives"
- Chiel, an Israelite
1) a native of Bethel who rebuilt Jericho in the reign of Ahab and in whom was fulfilled the curse pronounced by Joshua
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| חִיאֵ֛ל | Hiel | 1Kgs.16.34 |
| Χιήλ | Hiel | LXX.1Kgs.16.34 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ki.16.34
- father of: Abiram (אֲבִירָם), Segub (שְׂגוּב)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
חִיאֵל proper name, masculine (probably (אֲ)חִיאֵל brother of El, ᵐ5 Ἀχειηλ; compare חירם & Phoenician חמלך, etc.; see BaeRel 156) a Bethelite, rebuilder of Jericho 1Kgs 16:34.
חִיאֵל proper name, masculine (El lives (or abbreviated for יחיאל); Sabean חיאל, name of coin, after proper name of king DHMZMG 1875, 613, 1883, 15; compare also following, and Phoenician מריחי, כמשיחי) — name of the rebuilder of Jericho 1Kgs 16:34 ᵐ5 Αχ(ε)ιηλ, omitted by ᵐ5L.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Kings | 16:34 |
Profile
Male • Father of Abiram • The Bethelite who rebuilt Jericho.
Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho during the reign of King Ahab, fulfilling Joshua's curse on the city.
- A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ki.16.34;
- only referred to as Hiel חִיאֵל;
- father of Abiram אֲבִירָם, Segub שְׂגוּב.
Hiel the Bethelite is mentioned in 1 Kings 16:34 as the man who rebuilt the city of Jericho during the reign of King Ahab of Israel. Jericho had been destroyed and cursed by Joshua centuries earlier (Joshua 6:26), with a warning that whoever rebuilt the city would do so at the cost of his firstborn and youngest sons.
Despite this curse, Hiel rebuilt Jericho, and as a result, he lost his firstborn son, Abiram, when he laid the foundation, and his youngest son, Segub, when he set up the gates. This event is recorded as a fulfillment of Joshua's prophecy and a demonstration of the power of God's word.
Hiel's actions were in direct disobedience to God's command and showed a disregard for the history and spiritual significance of Jericho. His story serves as a warning against disobedience and the consequences of ignoring God's word.
All entries for Hiel: חִיאֵל