In combination with the other verbs used in this verse (laid its foundations
; set up its gates
), this verb shows that this building project was for the purposes of fortification. It was a matter of national security. This was a major construction project of Ahab’s reign, and Hiel was a supervisor.
34 In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.