Nadab נָדָב
Son of Aaron, consumed by fire for offering incense.
Biography
Nadab was the eldest son of Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel, and his wife Elisheba (Exo.6.23). Along with his brothers Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, Nadab was consecrated as a priest to serve in the Tabernacle (Exo.28.1).
Nadab, along with his brother Abihu and seventy elders of Israel, accompanied Moses partway up Mount Sinai when the Lord made His covenant with the people (Exo.24.1,9). There, they saw a manifestation of God's presence and ate and drank in His presence.
However, Nadab and Abihu later committed a grave offense by offering unauthorized fire (incense) before the Lord, which He had not commanded them to do (Lev.10.1). As a result, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord (Lev.10.2; Num.3.4; 26.61).
This tragic event served as a sobering reminder to the Israelites of the importance of following God's commands precisely, especially in matters related to worship and the priesthood. After their death, Eleazar and Ithamar took over their priestly duties under the direction of their father, Aaron (Num.3.4; 1Ch.24.2).
The story of Nadab and Abihu underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness with which He regards the proper worship and service of His people. It also highlights the importance of obedience and the consequences of disregarding God's clear instructions.
Family
Parents
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 2 with study contentExodus 4 verses Study available
- Exodus 6:23
"Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar."
Study Exodus → - Exodus 24:1
"He said to Moses, “Come up to Yahweh, you, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship from a distance."
Study Exodus → - Exodus 24:9
"Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up."
Study Exodus → - Exodus 28:1
"“Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office: Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons."
Study Exodus →
Leviticus 1 verse Study available
- Leviticus 10:1
"Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them."
Study Leviticus →
Numbers 4 verses
- Numbers 3:2
"These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."
- Numbers 3:4
"Nadab and Abihu died before Yahweh when they offered strange fire before Yahweh in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the presence of Aaron their father."
- Numbers 26:60
"To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar."
- Numbers 26:61
"Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Yahweh."
1 Chronicles 3 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:3
"The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."
- 1 Chronicles 24:1
"These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."
- 1 Chronicles 24:2
"But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נָדָב | H5070G |