16:34 Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. After its earlier destruction (Josh. 5:13–6:27), Jericho had been inhabited as a settlement (Josh. 18:21; 2 Sam. 10:5). Hiel’s wish to turn the site of Jericho into a full-fledged city brought on the curse of Josh. 6:26, which prohibited rebuilding the city and outlined the consequences of doing so.