The Exodus and the wilderness · Leviticus 10
The Strange Fire of Nadab and Abihu
On the day Aaron and his sons begin their service, fire comes out from before the LORD and consumes the burnt offering on the altar, and the people fall on their faces. Then Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, each take his censer, put fire in it, lay incense on it, and offer before the LORD “strange fire, which he commanded them not.” Fire goes out from the LORD and devours them: they die before the LORD. Moses reminds Aaron of God’s word: “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me.” Aaron holds his peace. Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Uzziel, carry the two bodies out of the camp. Moses forbids Aaron and his two remaining sons to uncover their heads or leave the tent of meeting. The LORD then commands the priests not to drink wine or strong drink when they go into the tent.
What happens
- Nadab and Abihu offer “strange fire” before the LORD Leviticus 10:1
- Fire goes out from the LORD and devours them Leviticus 10:2
- “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me”: Aaron holds his peace Leviticus 10:3
- Mishael and Elzaphan carry their bodies out of the camp Leviticus 10:4–5
- Aaron and his sons must not uncover their heads or go out of the tent Leviticus 10:6–7
- No wine or strong drink when entering the tent of meeting Leviticus 10:8–9
Who is in this story
The lesson
God is holy: we do not approach him the way we imagine, but the way he has commanded, and zeal does not replace obedience. “Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:28-29).
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
Quick quiz on this story
Whose sons are Nadab and Abihu?
“Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon.” Leviticus 10:1
What happens when Nadab and Abihu offer strange fire before the LORD?
“There went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” Leviticus 10:2
How does Aaron react to Moses’ words about God’s holiness?
Moses recalls the word of the LORD: “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.” Then “Aaron held his peace.” Leviticus 10:3
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