Leviticus 10:1

Authorized King James Version

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּקְח֣וּ
took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
בְנֵֽי
the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
אַ֠הֲרֹן
of Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#4
נָדָ֨ב
And Nadab
nadab, the name of four israelites
#5
וַֽאֲבִיה֜וּא
H30
and Abihu
abihu, a son of aaron
#6
אִ֣ישׁ
either
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#7
מַחְתָּת֗וֹ
of them his censer
a pan for live coals
#8
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
and put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#9
בָהֵן֙
therein
they (only used when emphatic)
#10
אֵ֣שׁ
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#11
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
and put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#12
עָלֶ֖יהָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
קְטֹ֑רֶת
incense
a fumigation
#14
וַיַּקְרִ֜יבוּ
thereon and offered
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#15
לִפְנֵ֤י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#16
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
אֵ֣שׁ
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#18
זָרָ֔ה
strange
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
#19
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
לֹ֦א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#21
צִוָּ֖ה
which he commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#22
אֹתָֽם׃
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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