Numbers 26:61

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.

And Nadab {H5070} and Abihu {H30} died {H4191}, when they offered {H7126} strange {H2114} fire {H784} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

but Nadav and Avihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before ADONAI.

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

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before Jehovah.

Commentary

Numbers 26:61 serves as a concise, sobering reminder within a larger genealogical record of the second census of Israel. It briefly recounts the tragic death of Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, highlighting a pivotal event that underscored the absolute holiness of God and the strict requirements for approaching Him in worship.

Context

This verse appears in the midst of a detailed census of the Israelite tribes, taken in the plains of Moab before their entry into the Promised Land. The census notes the number of fighting men from each tribe, but also includes exceptions and historical footnotes. Nadab and Abihu, as firstborn sons of Aaron, were designated for high priestly service, yet their names are excluded from the priestly lineage in this census due to their earlier demise. Their death is a crucial historical reference, first detailed in Leviticus 10:1-2, where they offered "strange fire" before the LORD shortly after the Tabernacle's consecration.

Key Themes

  • Divine Holiness and Awe: The incident powerfully demonstrates that God is utterly holy and must be approached with profound reverence and according to His explicit instructions. His holiness is not to be trifled with, and presumption in worship carries severe consequences.
  • Obedience in Worship: The core issue was an unauthorized offering. God had given precise instructions for the Tabernacle service, including the source of fire for the altars. Nadab and Abihu's failure to follow these commands highlights the critical importance of obedience in all matters pertaining to God's worship and service.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Their immediate death serves as a stark warning about the seriousness of violating divine statutes, especially for those in positions of spiritual leadership. It underscores that God's justice is real and His standards are unyielding.
  • Priesthood and Responsibility: As priests, Nadab and Abihu were held to an even higher standard due to their proximity to God's presence and their role as mediators for the people. Their fate was a lesson for all future generations of priests regarding their immense responsibility.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "strange fire" translates from the Hebrew esh zarah (ืึตืฉื ื–ึธืจึธื”). The word zarah means "unauthorized," "profane," "common," or "foreign." It wasn't simply fire from a different source, but fire that was *not commanded* or *not consecrated* by God. It signifies an offering that was outside of God's prescribed will, an act of human initiative rather than divine obedience.

Practical Application

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices or literal "strange fire," the principles from Nadab and Abihu's story remain profoundly relevant. This verse reminds us that:

  • We must approach God with reverence and respect for His holiness, recognizing that "our God is a consuming fire".
  • Worship should be conducted according to God's revealed will in His Word, not based on human preferences, traditions, or innovations that contradict biblical truth.
  • Those in spiritual leadership bear a greater responsibility to model faithful obedience and reverence in all their service.
  • The importance of obedience over ritual or personal desire is a timeless truth, as echoed in 1 Samuel 15:22: "To obey is better than sacrifice."

Numbers 26:61 serves as a perpetual warning against spiritual presumption and a call to humble, obedient worship of the Most High God.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 3:4 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Leviticus 10:1 (5 votes)

    ยถ And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

  • Leviticus 10:2 (5 votes)

    And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

  • 1 Chronicles 24:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ Now [these are] the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

  • 1 Chronicles 24:2 (2 votes)

    But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.