Numbers 26:61

Authorized King James Version

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֥מָת
died
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#2
נָדָ֖ב
And Nadab
nadab, the name of four israelites
#3
וַֽאֲבִיה֑וּא
H30
and Abihu
abihu, a son of aaron
#4
בְּהַקְרִיבָ֥ם
when they offered
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#5
אֵשׁ
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#6
זָרָ֖ה
strange
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
#7
לִפְנֵ֥י
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
#8
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 Numbers 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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