ABIRAM ə bī’ rəm (אֲבִירָ֜ם, my [the] father is exalted [an exalted one]). ABIRON, ə bī’ rən (Ecclus 45:18), from the LXX form ̓Αβειρων. 1. One of three men of the tribe of Reuben who, with Korah the Levite, led 250 leaders of the Israelites in rebellion against Moses, declaring that Moses and Aaron had exalted themselves “above the assembly of the Lord” (Num 16:1-3). Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and all their households were swallowed up alive into the earth as a punishment of God (16:25-33).

2. A son of Hiel of Bethel. When Hiel rebuilt Jericho during the reign of Ahab, “...he laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his first-born and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub...” (1 Kings 16:34; cf. Josh 6:26). Since foundation sacrifices of children have been found in Pal., some scholars claim these were foundation sacrifices. 1 Kings 16:34, however, clearly attributes the death of Hiel’s sons to the fulfillment of Joshua’s curse.