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Nadab נָדָב

Male Tribe of Levi H5070G 4 books

Son of Aaron, consumed by fire for offering incense.

Who is Nadab in the Bible?

Nadab was the eldest son of Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel, and served as a priest in the Tabernacle alongside his brothers Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar (Exodus 6:23, 28:1). He was among the privileged few who ascended Mount Sinai with Moses and witnessed God's presence directly during the covenant ceremony (Exodus 24:1, 9). However, Nadab and his brother Abihu committed a serious transgression by offering unauthorized incense before the Lord that He had not commanded, and as punishment, divine fire consumed them both and they died (Leviticus 10:1-2). Their deaths serve as a solemn biblical reminder of the importance of obedience to God's specific instructions in worship and the serious consequences of treating sacred duties with presumption rather than reverence.

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

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In Scripture

4 biblical books ; 2 with study content
Exodus 4 verses
  • Exodus 6:23

    "And Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar."

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  • Exodus 24:1

    "Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders—and you are to worship at a distance."

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  • Exodus 24:9

    "Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,"

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  • Exodus 28:1

    "“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests."

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Leviticus 1 verse
  • Leviticus 10:1

    "Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command."

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Numbers 4 verses
  • Numbers 3:2

    "These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, then Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."

  • Numbers 3:4

    "Nadab and Abihu, however, died in the presence of the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai. And since they had no sons, only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron."

  • Numbers 26:60

    "Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were born to Aaron,"

  • Numbers 26:61

    "but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD."

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 descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."

  • 1 Chronicles 24:2

    "But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Meaning
Named Hebrew נָדָב Nadab , the name of four Israelites