Introduction:
Abihu, a significant yet tragic figure in the Old Testament, was one of the sons of Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. His account is primarily found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Abihu's life and untimely death serve as a sobering reminder of the holiness required in the service of God.

Family Background:
Abihu was the second son of Aaron and Elisheba, making him a member of the priestly lineage of the tribe of Levi. His brothers were Nadab, Eleazar, and Ithamar. As a son of Aaron, Abihu was consecrated as a priest to serve in the tabernacle, a role of great honor and responsibility.

Priestly Role:
Abihu, along with his brothers, was set apart for priestly duties following the establishment of the tabernacle. Exodus 28:1 states, "And bring near to you your brother Aaron and his sons with him from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons." This consecration involved a series of rituals and sacrifices, emphasizing the sanctity and seriousness of their roles.

The Sin of Nadab and Abihu:
The most notable event in Abihu's life is his tragic death, which occurred as a result of disobedience to God's commands. Leviticus 10:1-2 recounts the incident: "Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them, and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD."

This act of offering "unauthorized fire" or "strange fire" was a direct violation of the divine instructions given for worship and service in the tabernacle. The exact nature of their transgression is not detailed, but it was a serious breach of the holiness required in their priestly duties.

Aftermath and Legacy:
Following their deaths, Moses instructed Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, not to mourn publicly, as recorded in Leviticus 10:6 : "Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, 'Do not let your hair become unkempt and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the house of Israel, may mourn for those the LORD has destroyed by fire.'"

Abihu's death, along with his brother Nadab, left him childless, and his priestly duties were passed on to his younger brothers. Numbers 3:4 confirms this: "Nadab and Abihu, however, died in the presence of the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before Him in the Wilderness of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron."

Significance:
The account of Abihu serves as a powerful lesson on the importance of obedience and reverence in worship. His death underscores the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of His commands, particularly in the context of priestly service. Abihu's life, though marked by a tragic end, remains a poignant reminder of the need for holiness and adherence to divine instructions.Numbers 3:4
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Who were Nadab and Abihu? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the strange fire in Leviticus 10:1? | GotQuestions.org

Why was it bad that Aaron and his sons burned the sin offering in Leviticus 10:16 20? | GotQuestions.org

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