Son of Aaron, consumed by fire for offering incense.
Nadab
Named in 12 verses across 4 books, first in Exodus 6:23.
נָדָבNadab
The name means “free and voluntary gift; prince.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Nadab Written by AI
Nadab was the eldest son of Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel, and his wife Elisheba (Exodus 6:23). Along with his brothers Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, Nadab was consecrated as a priest to serve in the Tabernacle (Exodus 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 (Exodus 24:1). 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 (Leviticus 10:1). As a result, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord (Leviticus 10:2; Numbers 3:4). 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 (Numbers 3:4; 1 Chronicles 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.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Nadab, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
Liberal, generous. (1.) The eldest of Aaron’s four sons (Ex. 6:23; Num. 3:2). He with his brothers and their father were consecrated as priests of Jehovah (Ex. 28:1). He afterwards perished with Abihu for the sin of offering strange fire on the altar of burnt-offering (Lev. 10:1,2; Num. 3:4; 26:60).
(2.) The son and successor of Jeroboam, the king of Israel (1 Kings 14:20). While engaged with all Israel in laying siege to Gibbethon, a town of southern Dan (Josh. 19:44), a conspiracy broke out in his army, and he was slain by Baasha (1 Kings 15:25-28), after a reign of two years (B.C. 955-953). The assassination of Nadab was followed by that of his whole house, and thus this great Ephraimite family became extinct (1 Kings 15:29).
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(3.) One of the sons of Shammai in the tribe of Judah (1 Chr. 2:28, 30).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- 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.
- 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.
- Exodus 24:9
Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.