Numbers 3:4
And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֣מָת
died
H4191
וַיָּ֣מָת
died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
1 of 23
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
פְּנֵ֖י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּֽהַקְרִבָם֩
when they offered
H7126
בְּֽהַקְרִבָם֩
when they offered
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
6 of 23
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
זָרָ֜ה
strange
H2114
זָרָ֜ה
strange
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
8 of 23
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
פְּנֵ֖י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 23
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וּבָנִ֖ים
and they had no children
H1121
וּבָנִ֖ים
and they had no children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָי֣וּ
H1961
הָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וַיְכַהֵ֤ן
ministered in the priest's office
H3547
וַיְכַהֵ֤ן
ministered in the priest's office
Strong's:
H3547
Word #:
17 of 23
to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֖י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
21 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
Nadab and Abihu's sin occurred during the tabernacle's dedication (Leviticus 10:1-2), possibly while intoxicated (Leviticus 10:9 immediately follows with a prohibition against alcohol for serving priests). Their presumptuous addition to prescribed worship rituals brought swift divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Nadab and Abihu's judgment inform debates about proper worship practices and the authority of Scripture over tradition?
- What does their sin teach us about the danger of creativity and innovation in worship that goes beyond biblical prescription?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Nadab and Abihu's death 'before the LORD' (Leviticus 10:1-2) for offering 'strange fire' demonstrates that God's holiness allows no presumption or innovation in worship. Their sin of adding human creativity to divinely prescribed worship resulted in immediate judgment, establishing the principle that God determines acceptable worship according to His revealed will, not human preference. This has direct application to the regulative principle of worship: God's people should worship Him according to His commands in Scripture, not according to human traditions or innovations.