# at the cost of the life of Abiram, his firstborn son

The consequence of building the city is spoken of as if it were a cost that Hiel paid. Alternate translation: "and the consequence of his sin was that Abiram, his firstborn son, died" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# Segub, his youngest son, lost his life

Dying is spoken of as if he lost his life. Alternate translation: "Segub, his youngest son, died" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# while he was building the gates of the city

"while Hiel was building the gates of the city"

# in keeping with the word of Yahweh

"according to the word of Yahweh"

# the word of Yahweh

"the message of Yahweh" or "Yahweh's message"

# which he spoke by Joshua son of Nun

Speaking "by" someone represents both telling someone to speak and the person doing it. Alternate translation: "which Yahweh caused Joshua son of Nun to speak" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])