Numbers 3:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֣מָת
died
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#2
נָדָ֣ב
And Nadab
nadab, the name of four israelites
#3
וַֽאֲבִיה֣וּא
H30
and Abihu
abihu, a son of aaron
#4
פְּנֵ֖י
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
#5
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
בְּֽהַקְרִבָם֩
when they offered
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#7
אֵ֨שׁ
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#8
זָרָ֜ה
strange
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
#9
פְּנֵ֖י
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
#10
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר
in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#12
סִינַ֔י
of Sinai
sinai, mountain of arabia
#13
וּבָנִ֖ים
and they had no children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#14
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
הָי֣וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#16
לָהֶ֑ם
H0
#17
וַיְכַהֵ֤ן
ministered in the priest's office
to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia
#18
אֶלְעָזָר֙
and Eleazar
elazar, the name of seven israelites
#19
וְאִ֣יתָמָ֔ר
and Ithamar
ithamar, a son of aaron
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
פְּנֵ֖י
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
#22
אַֽהֲרֹ֥ן
of Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#23
אֲבִיהֶֽם׃
H1
their father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources