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Numbers 26:61 — Word Study

Depth

WLCוַיָּ֥מָת נָדָ֖ב וַאֲבִיה֑וּא בְּהַקְרִיבָ֥ם אֵשׁ־ זָרָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃

BSAbut NadabNâdâb [a generous giver] and AbihuʼĂbîyhûwʼ [he is my father] diedmûwth [passed away, met their end] when they offeredqârab [presented, brought near] unauthorizedzûwr [strange, forbidden] fireʼêsh [burning, flame] beforepânîym [in the presence of, facing] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the covenant God]

Word
Listen & take awayNumbers 26
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 61 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (Yah.weh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Numbers 26:61quick helps
In a sentenceNadab and Abihu died after offering unauthorized fire to the LORD.
Who is speakingThe narrator recounts the events surrounding Nadab and Abihu.
Where we areThis verse is part of the account of the descendants of Aaron and their roles.
The hard wordזָרָ֖ה
Take awayOffering unauthorized fire resulted in their death.
2 commentators on this verse Jamieson, Whedon & more — read them › clause verbמוּת The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Numbers 26:61

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Death of Nadab and Abihugenerated

60Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were born to Aaron,
61but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.
62The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.
63These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

Numbers 26:61 recounts the tragic event where Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, died after offering unauthorized fire before the LORD. This incident serves as a solemn reminder of the seriousness of approaching God in the prescribed manner. The context includes the lineage of Aaron's sons and their responsibilities as priests, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Numbers 3:4Nadab 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.
2Leviticus 10:1–2Now 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.
31 Chronicles 24:1–2These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.Numbers 3:4 Leviticus 10:1–2 1 Chronicles 24:1–2

The Key Word מוּת, vai.Ya.motgenerated

The verb מוּת (mūth) means 'to die' and covers a range of meanings from natural death to execution as a punishment. It is used frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, indicating both the inevitability of death and its role as a consequence of sin, as seen in the narrative of Adam and Eve.

In this verse, it indicates the literal death of Nadab and Abihu, emphasizing the severity of their actions. The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine singular shows that this event is part of a narrative unfolding in time, marking a significant moment in the priestly history.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has died, which is consistent with the KJV and ASV, both of which also use the term died.

Where others part company with the BSB they part company over the word זָרָ֖הstrange (BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT) is contrasted with forbidden (FBV), showing a difference in interpretation of the nature of the fire offered.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וַיָּ֥מָת (vai.Ya.mot), and he died, governs the main action of the sentence, with additional phrases providing context. The structure includes a subject (Nadab and Abihu), a prepositional phrase indicating the manner of their death, and a clause detailing the reason for their demise.

The sentence emphasizes the consequence of their actions, with the verb at the forefront, highlighting the gravity of their offering unauthorized fire before the LORD.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיָּ֥מָת as ἀπέθανεν (apethanen), meaning 'he died.' This choice maintains the literal sense of death, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.

The Greek term used for 'strange' is ἀλλότριον (allotriōn), which suggests a foreign or inappropriate nature of the fire, reinforcing the idea that it was unacceptable to God.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 26:61 tells us that Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, died because they offered unauthorized fire to the LORD. This event serves as a warning about the importance of following God's commands in worship.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire?

It means they presented a sacrifice or offering that was not commanded by God, which led to their death as a punishment for their disobedience.

Why is this event significant?

This event highlights the seriousness of approaching God in worship and the importance of adhering to His instructions, especially for those in leadership roles.

What can we learn from the deaths of Nadab and Abihu?

We learn that God desires reverence and obedience in worship, and that straying from His commands can have severe consequences.

Are there other references to Nadab and Abihu in the Bible?

Yes, their story is also mentioned in Leviticus 10:1-2 and 1 Chronicles 24:1-2, which provide additional context about their roles as priests.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does this passage teach us about the importance of obedience in worship?
  2. How can we ensure that our approach to God is respectful and in line with His commands?
  3. In what ways might we inadvertently offer 'unauthorized fire' in our own lives?
  4. What steps can we take to deepen our understanding of God's requirements for worship?

Commentators on this verse — 2 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 26:61 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 26 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

61. Strange fire — Leviticus 10:1, note.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 26 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

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

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Yahweh.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

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

NETBNew English Translation2006

But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the Lord.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

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

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

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

RVARevised Version, American1894

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

NWBWebster's Bible1833

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

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And Nadab and Abihu dyed, because they offred strange fire before the Lord.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

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

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

and Nadab dieth — Abihu also — in their bringing near strange fire before Jehovah.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and Nadab dies—Abihu also—in their bringing strange fire near before YHWH.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

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

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Nadab and Abihu died when they offered before Yahweh unacceptable fire.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Of whom Nadab and Abiu died, when they had offered the strange fire before the Lord.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered forbidden fire in the Lord's presence.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Death overtook Nadab and Abihu when they made an offering of strange fire before the Lord.

Word by word, the decisions they made

זָרָ֖הza.Rah strange H2114 2 different renderings
strangeASV BBE DBY DRA GNV ILT KJV LSV NETB NWB RVA WEB YLT
forbiddenFBV

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbיָּ֥מָתhe.diednoun phrase · subjectנָדָ֖בNadabוַandאֲבִיה֑וּאAbihuprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּwhenclauseverbהַקְרִיבָ֥theysubjectםbrought.nearnoun phrase · objectאֵשׁfireזָרָ֖הstrangeprepositional phrase · prepositionalלִbeforenoun phraseפְנֵ֥ייְהוָֽהYahweh

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text states that "Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD," and this is supported by the Septuagint, which matches the wording exactly in a word-for-word correspondence. The Samaritan Pentateuch also agrees with the Masoretic Text here, presenting the same phrase word for word. Thus, all ancient witnesses confirm the same account of Nadab and Abihu's death due to their unauthorized offering.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיָּ֥מָת נָדָ֖ב וַאֲבִיה֑וּא בְּהַקְרִיבָ֥ם אֵשׁ־ זָרָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיָּ֥מָתἀπέθανενנָדָ֖בναδαβוַאֲבִיה֑וּאαβιουδבְּהַקְרִיבָ֥םπροσφέρεινאֵשׁ־πῦρזָרָ֖הἀλλότριονלִפְנֵ֥יἔναντιיְהוָֽה׃κυρίου

8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

וימת נדב ואביהוא בהקריבם אשׁ זרה לפני יהוה

Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Numbers 26:61מוּתand he diedand he diedמוּתנָדָבNadabNadabנָדָבאֲבִיהוּאand Abihuand Abihuאֲבִיהוּאקָרֵבwhen broughwhen brought neקָרֵבאֵשׁfirefireאֵשׁזוּרstrangestrangeזוּרפָּנֶהbeforebeforeפָּנֶהיהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהנָדַבbe willingbe willingנָדַבאָבfatherfatherאָבפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָההָיָהto beto beהָיָהאִיתָמָרIthamarIthamarאִיתָמָררָצַחto murderto murderרָצַחקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַראֲבִיהוּאAbihuAbihuאֲבִיהוּאנָדָבNadabNadabנָדָבקָרְבָּןofferingofferingקָרְבָּןאִשֶּׁהfood offerfood offeringאִשֶּׁהלֶהָבָהflameflameלֶהָבָהיָצַתto kindleto kindleיָצַתקָרֵבapproachinapproachingקָרֵבעָרַבto pledgeto pledgeעָרַבסָתַרto hideto hideסָתַרנוּסto fleeto fleeנוּסנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻם
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Numbers 26:61

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and he died Nadab and Abihu when brought near they fire strange before Yahweh
וַיָּ֥מָתvai.Ya.mot and he died H4191 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
840× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Amplified meaning
passed away, met their end
Tyndale gloss
to die
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מוּת vb. die

Qal

die, of natural or other causes

die as a penalty = be put to death

Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

Hiph.

abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

subj. God, by inflicting penalty

of animals killing men

bring to a premature death

Hoph. be killed, put to death

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes

. die as a penalty = be put to death

. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)

. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man

. subj. God, by inflicting penalty

. of animals killing men

. bring to a premature death

. be killed, put to death

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4191 muwth mooth

a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);

causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,

man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,

be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,

slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מוּת (mut) — to die.

1) to die, kill, have one executed

1a)(Qal)

1a1) to die

1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death

1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)

1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)

1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch

1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death

1d) (Hophal)

1d1) to be killed, be put to death

1d1a) to die prematurely

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and he died Nadab and Abihu when brought near they fire strange before Yahweh
נָדָ֖בna.Dav Nadab H5070 Noun proper masculine
20× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Nadab was the name of several Israelites, including the son of Aaron who was struck dead by God. The name means 'generous' and is mentioned in the books of Chronicles and Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
a generous giver
Tyndale gloss
Nadab
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָדָב (Nadab) means "generous" and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament. Most notably, it is the name of Aaron's eldest son, who died for offering unauthorized fire, and Jeroboam's son, who ruled Israel briefly. Other references include a Jerahmeelite and a Gibeonite, indicating a range of characters across different tribes.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָדָב n.pr.m. (generous, noble)

eldest son of Aaron

son of Jeroboam

a Jerahmeelite

a Gibeonite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5070 נָדָב (generous, noble) . eldest son of Aaron

. son of Jeroboam

. a Jerahmeelite

. a Gibeonite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5070 Nadab naw-dawb'

from 5068; liberal; Nadab, the name of four

Israelites:--Nadab.

see HEBREW for 05068

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָדָב (na.dav) — Nadab.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.23;

son of: Aaron (H0175) and Elisheba (H0472);

brother of: Abihu (H0030), Eleazar (H0499) and Ithamar (H0385)

§ Nadab = "generous"

1) eldest son of Aaron by Elisheba; struck dead before the sanctuary in the wilderness for kindling the censers with strange fire

2) son of king Jeroboam I of the northern kingdom of Israel and king of Israel for 2 years before being slain by Baasha

3) a Jerahmeelite, son of Shammai, of the tribe of Judah

4) a son of Gibeon of the tribe of Benjamin

נָדָב (na.dav) — Nadab.

A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.14.20;

son of: Jeroboam (H3379);

brother of: Abijah (H0029H)

§ Nadab = "generous"

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

na'-dab (nadhabh, "noble"; Nadab):

(1) Aaron's first-born son (Ex 6:23; Nu 3:2; 26:60; 1Ch 6:3 (Hebrew 5:29); 24:1). He was permitted with Moses, Aaron, the 70 elders, and his brother Abihu to ascend Mt. Sinai and behold the God of Israel (Ex 24:1,9). He was associated with his father and brothers in the priestly office (Ex 28:1). Along with Abihu he was guilty of offering "strange fire," and both "died before Yahweh" (Le 10:1,2; Nu 3:4; 26:61). The nature of their offense is far from clear. The word rendered "strange"…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Nadab

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…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(liberal). The eldest son of Aaron and Elisheba. Exod 8 13 Numb 3:2. (B.C. 1490.) He, his father and brother, and seventy old men of Israel were led out from the midst of the assembled people, (Exodus 24:1) and were commended to stay and worship God "afar off," below the lofty summit of Sinai, where Moses alone was to come near to the Lord. Subsequently, (Leviticus 10:1) Nadab and his brother were struck dead before the sanctuary by fire from the Lord. Their offence was kindling the incense in their censers with "strange" fire, i.e. not taken from that which burned perpetually, (Leviticus 6:13) on the altar. King Jeroboam’s son, who succeeded to the throne of Israel B.C. 954, and reigned two years. (

1. The oldest son of Aaron, slain by the lord for presumptuously offering strange fire on the altar of burnt offering, Le 10:1-20. See ABIHU.

2. Son of Jeroboam I. King of Israel. He succeeded his father, B. C. 954, and reigned but two years, being assassinated, while besieging Gibbethon, by Baasha, of the tribe of Issachar, who usurped his kingdom. Nadab did evil in the sight of the Lord; and with him perished his children and the race of Jeroboam, as God had foretold, 1Ki 15:25-30.

and he died Nadab and Abihu when brought near they fire strange before Yahweh
וַאֲבִיה֑וּאva.'a.vi.Hu' and Abihu H30 Conjunction · noun proper masculine
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Abihu was a son of Aaron, a priest in the Bible. His name means 'he is my father'. Abihu made a mistake by offering wrong sacrifices to God and was punished. He's mentioned in Exodus 6:23.
Amplified meaning
he is my father
Tyndale gloss
Abihu
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲבִיהוּא (Abiyhuw) means 'Yah is (my) father' and refers primarily to Abihu, a son of Aaron, who is noted for his death due to offering unauthorized fire to God. The name also appears in various contexts, including references to a king of Judah and other individuals in biblical genealogies. The entries highlight different figures sharing the name, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲבִיהוּא n.pr.m. (he is father) a son of Aaron

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H30 אֲבִיהוּא (Yah(u) is (my) father) . king of Judah, son & successor of Rehoboam

. 2nd son of Samuel

. son of Jerob.

. son of Becher

. head of a priestly house

. id.

. wife of Hezron

. mother of Hezekiah

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

30 'Abiyhuw' ab-ee-hoo'

from 1 and 1931; father (i.e. worshipper) of Him (i.e. God);

Abihu, a son of Aaron:--Abihu.

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 01931

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲבִיהוּא (a.vi.hu) — Abihu.

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.23;

son of: Aaron (H0175) and Elisheba (H0472);

brother of: Nadab (H5070), Eleazar (H0499) and Ithamar (H0385)

§ Abihu = "he is (my) father"

a son of Aaron destroyed for sacrificing strange fire to God

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculine
HC/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

a-bi'-hu ('abhihu', "father he is," or "my father he is"): Second son of Aaron, the high priest (Ex 6:23). With his older brother Nadab he "died before Yahweh," when the two "offered strange fire" (Le 10:1,2).

It may be inferred from the emphatic prohibition of wine or strong drink, laid upon the priests immediately after this tragedy, that the two brothers were going to their priestly functions in an intoxicated condition (Le 10:8-11). Their death is mentioned three times in subsequent records (Nu 3:4; 26:61; 1Ch 24:2).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Abihu

Father of Him; i.e., “worshipper of God”, the second of the sons of Aaron (Ex. 6:23; Num. 3:2; 26:60; 1 Chr. 6:3). Along with his three brothers he was consecrated to the priest’s office (Ex. 28:1). With his father and elder brother he accompanied the seventy elders part of the way up the mount with Moses (Ex. 24:1,9). On one occasion he and Nadab his brother offered incense in their censers filled with “strange” (i.e., common) fire, i.e., not with fire taken from the great brazen altar (Lev. 6:9, etc.), and for this offence they were struck dead, and were taken out…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(he (God) is my father), the second son, (Numbers 3:2) of Aaron by Elisheba. (Exodus 6:23) Being, together with his elder brother Nadab, guilty of offering strange fire to the lord, he was consumed by fire from heaven. (Leviticus 10:1,2)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The second son of Aaron, consecrated to the priesthood with his three brethren, Ex 28:21; but consumed shortly after by fire from the Lord, with Nadab his brother, for burning incense with common fire instead of that kept perpetually on the altar of burnt-offering, Le 10:1-2 16:12 Nu 16:46. As this is immediately followed by the prohibition of wine to the priests when ministering in the tabernacle, it is not improbable that Nadab and Abihu were intoxicated when thus transgressing. Their death is a solemn warning not to presume to worship God except with incense kindled at the one altar which Christ hath sanctified, Heb 10:10-14. It is a dangerous thing, in the service of…

and he died Nadab and Abihu when brought near they fire strange before Yahweh
בְּהַקְרִיבָ֥םbe.hak.ri.Vam when brought near they H7126 Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
280× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To approach or come near someone or something, often with a sense of purpose or intention, like Moses approaching the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This word can also mean to bring someone or something near, as in presenting an offering to God.
Amplified meaning
presented, brought near
Tyndale gloss
to present: come
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָרַב (qarab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to approach or come near, with various nuances including bringing or presenting something. It encompasses different forms such as Qal (to approach), Niphal (to be brought near), and Hiphil (to bring near). The term is often associated with offerings or dedications to God, particularly in the context of the book of Ezekiel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָרֵב], קָרַב 279 vb. come near, approach

Qal 93 approach

Niph. he shall be brought unto God

Pi. cause to approach, bring near

Hiph.

177

bring near, bring, present

of time

as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7126 קָרֵב, קָרַב come near, approach .approach

. he shall be brought unto God

. cause to approach, bring near

. . . bring near, bring, present

. of time

. as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7126 qarab kaw-rab'

a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for

whatever purpose:--(cause to) approach, (cause to) bring

(forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw

near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer,

present, produce, make ready, stand, take.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: come.

: come/approach

1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near

1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near

1b) (Niphal) to be brought near

1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near

1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: bring.

: bring/offer

1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near

1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near

1b) (Niphal) to be brought near

1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near

1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffix
HR/Vhcc/Sp3mp
and he died Nadab and Abihu when brought near they fire strange before Yahweh
אֵשׁ־'esh- fire H784 Noun common · both singular absolute
378× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Amplified meaning
burning, flame
Tyndale gloss
fire
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵשׁ (esh) means 'fire' and encompasses various types, including natural fire, supernatural fire associated with divine appearances, and fire used for cooking or on altars. It can also figuratively represent God's anger. The entries consistently highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵשׁ 377 n.f. fire

fire, of conflagration

of supernatural fire

fire for cooking, roasting, parching

esp. of altar fire

fig. of Yahweh's anger

in various combinations

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H784 אֵשׁ fire . fire, of conflagration

. of supernatural fire

. fire for cooking, roasting, parching

. esp. of altar fire

. fig. of Yahweh's anger

. in various combinations

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

784 'esh aysh

a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively):--

burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵשׁ (esh) — fire.

1) fire

1a) fire, flames

1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany)

1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching)

1d) altar-fire

1e) God's anger (fig.)

Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

fir ('esh; pur):

These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'Ur, "light" (Isa 24:15 the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); Isa 31:9, and see FIRES), nur (Aramaic) (Da 3:22 ff) are found a few times, also 'eshshah (Jer 6:29), and be`erah (Ex 22:6), once each. Ac 28:2,3 has pura, "pyre," and Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Fire

(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).

Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2;

is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called "strange fire," and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

In Scripture, is often connected with the presence of Jehovah; as in the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai, Ex 3:2 19:18 Ps 18:1-50 Hab 1:1-3:19. The second coming of Christ will be "in flaming fire," 2Th 1:8. In the New Testament it illustrates the enlightening, cheering, and purifying agency of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:11 Ac 2:3. By sending fire from heaven to consume sacrifices, God often signified his acceptance of them: as in the case of Abel, Ge 4:4; Abraham, Ge…

and he died Nadab and Abihu when brought near they fire strange before Yahweh
זָרָ֖הza.Rah strange H2114 Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine singular
77× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word has several meanings, including being a stranger or foreigner, like when Abraham lived in Egypt as a foreigner. It can also mean to commit adultery, highlighting the idea of turning aside from what is right and proper, as warned against in Proverbs 5.
Amplified meaning
strange, forbidden
Tyndale gloss
be a stranger
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זוּר (zuwr) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be a stranger or to become estranged. It can describe a person as strange or foreign, and it also has connotations of loathsomeness. The word can refer to committing adultery or being alienated, with its usage found in contexts involving estrangement or foreignness.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[זוּר] vb. be a stranger

Qal

Pf. become estranged

Pt. as adj. strange, or as noun stranger

Niph. Pf. be estranged

Hoph. Pt. estranged

base

[זוּר, זִיר] vb. be loathsome, only 3 fs. Jb 19:17

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2114a זוּר be a stranger .. Pf. become estranged

. Pt. as adj. strange, or as noun stranger

. Pf. be estranged

. Pt. estranged

H2114b זוּר, זִיר be loathsome

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2114 zuwr zoor

a primitive root; to turn aside (especially for lodging);

hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically

(active participle) to commit adultery:--(come from) another

(man, place), fanner, go away, (e-)strange(-r, thing, woman).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זוּר (zur) — be a stranger.

1) to be strange, be a stranger

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to become estranged

1a2) strange, another, stranger, foreigner, an enemy (participle)

1a3) strange woman, prostitute, harlot (meton)

1b) (Niphal) to be estranged

1c) (Hophal) to be a stranger, be one alienated

זוּר (zur) — be loathsome.

loathsome (of breath) (participle)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine singular
HVqrfsa
and he died Nadab and Abihu when brought near they fire strange before Yahweh
לִפְנֵ֥יlif.Nei before H6440 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Amplified meaning
in the presence of, facing
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
HR/Ncmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he died Nadab and Abihu when brought near they fire strange before Yahweh
יְהוָֽה׃Yah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the covenant God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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