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 10:1KJV
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Leviticus 10:1 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 10:1 mean?

Leviticus 10:1 describes how Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took their own censer, put fire and incense in it, and offered "strange fire" before the LORD—something God had not commanded them to do. This act was an unauthorized offering, going against God's specific instructions for worship.

The verse takes place as Moses records the actions of Aaron’s sons during the early days of Israel’s worship at the Tabernacle. Nadab and Abihu acted on their own initiative, not following the detailed commands God had given for approaching Him. The phrase "strange fire" highlights that their offering was different from what God required, showing the seriousness of following God’s instructions in this setting.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 10:1

  • "Strange" (זָרָה, zarah): This word means "unauthorized" or "foreign," pointing out that the fire Nadab and Abihu used was not the fire God had set apart for worship. It emphasizes that not just any offering is acceptable—God had set clear boundaries.
  • "Commanded" (צָוָה, tsavah): This word means "to command" or "to order." The verse stresses that God had not given any instruction for this particular act, underlining the importance of obedience to God's specific words.
  • "Censer" (מַחְתָּה, machtah): This refers to a small pan or vessel used for burning incense. The mention of each son taking his own censer shows that they acted individually, not as part of the prescribed communal ritual.

Why Leviticus 10:1 matters

  • Leviticus 10:1 clears up any idea that sincere intentions alone are enough in worship; the verse stresses that God cares about both the heart and the details of obedience.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of approaching God according to His instructions, setting the stage for the consequences that follow in the next verses.
  • This event connects to the wider passage by showing that even leaders and priests are not above God’s commands, reinforcing the theme of holiness and order in Israel’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“Abihu” Hebrew H30 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Exodus 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
  • Numbers 26:61 And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.

“therein” Hebrew H2004 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
  • Leviticus 14:40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
  • Jeremiah 48:9 Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.

“censer” Hebrew H4289 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
  • Numbers 4:14 And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.
  • Numbers 16:39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

“Nadab” Hebrew H5070 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 26:60 And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:28 And the sons of Onam were, Shammai, and Jada. And the sons of Shammai; Nadab, and Abishur.