Numbers 3 4

Numbers 3:4 kjv

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.

Numbers 3:4 nkjv

Nadab and Abihu had died before the LORD when they offered profane fire before the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.

Numbers 3:4 niv

Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.

Numbers 3:4 esv

But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.

Numbers 3:4 nlt

But Nadab and Abihu died in the LORD's presence in the wilderness of Sinai when they burned before the LORD the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. Since they had no sons, this left only Eleazar and Ithamar to serve as priests with their father, Aaron.

Numbers 3 verses

Numbers 3 4 Meaning

Numbers 3:4 concisely recounts the divine judgment upon Nadab and Abihu, the elder sons of Aaron, who died by the hand of God for offering "strange fire" (unauthorized worship) before Him in the wilderness of Sinai. This verse emphasizes their childless demise, which naturally prevented their lineage from inheriting the priestly office, and thereby formalizes the continuation of the Aaronic priesthood solely through their younger brothers, Eleazar and Ithamar, under the watchful eye of their father, Aaron. It underscores the severe consequences of defying God's precise commands in sacred service and confirms the divinely ordained line of succession for the priesthood.

Numbers 3 4 Context

Numbers chapter 3 is primarily dedicated to the census and duties of the Levites, who were chosen to serve the priests and the Tabernacle. This verse, Numbers 3:4, serves as a crucial parenthetical clarification within this detailed account of priestly and Levitical assignments. It directly addresses the reason why only Eleazar and Ithamar, and not their elder brothers Nadab and Abihu, would constitute the continuing line of the Aaronic priesthood from this point onward. This context solidifies the specific and narrow path of succession for the most sacred office in Israel.

Historically, this event occurs very early in Israel's wilderness journey, shortly after the dedication of the Tabernacle and the anointing of Aaron and his sons as priests (Leviticus 8-9). The transgression of Nadab and Abihu (first detailed in Leviticus 10:1-2) took place on the very day they commenced their sacred duties, right after the glory of the LORD had descended and consumed the initial altar offerings. This immediate and severe divine judgment served to profoundly establish God's absolute holiness and His demand for strict obedience regarding Tabernacle service and worship at the nascent stages of Israel's covenant relationship with Him. It set an unalterable precedent: God would not tolerate common, unauthorized, or presumptuous worship, especially from those most intimately associated with His presence.

Numbers 3 4 Word analysis

• But Nadab and Abihu died: This introduces a solemn, factual statement that immediately corrects any potential misunderstanding about their continued role. mētū (מֵתוּ), the Qal perfect of the verb "to die," denotes a completed action, emphasizing the definite finality of their lives and priestly service. It starkly highlights the consequence of their actions.
• before the LORD: li‘pnē YHVH (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה). This Hebrew phrase means "in the face of," "in the presence of," or "in the sight of" the LORD. Its repetition underscores that their judgment was directly from God Himself, in His immediate manifest presence at the Tabernacle. This wasn't an accident but a divine act to demonstrate God's sanctity.
• when they offered: hiq’rīḇū (הִקְרִ֤יבוּ), the Hiphil perfect of qarab (קרב), meaning "to cause to come near" or "to bring forward, offer." This shows they actively, and presumptuously, initiated the forbidden action, making them culpable.
• strange fire: ʾēš zārāh (אֵ֣שׁ זָרָ֗ה). The word zārāh means "alien," "foreign," "unauthorized," "unlawful," or "profane." This "strange fire" was fire not consecrated for Tabernacle use, likely meaning it was not taken from the perpetual holy fire burning on the altar of burnt offering, or it was offered with incense or in a manner/time not explicitly commanded by God. It represented a departure from God's holy and specific instructions for worship. It was an innovation, an uncommanded approach to a holy God.
• in the wilderness of Sinai: bəmiḏbar Sînay (בְמִדְבַּ֥ר סִינַ֖י). This geographical and chronological detail grounds the event during the crucial period of the Mosaic covenant's formation and the initial setup of the Tabernacle system. It emphasizes that this foundational judgment occurred early in Israel's history, setting an enduring precedent.
• and they had no children: ūvānīm lōʾ-hāyū (וּבָנִ֣ים לֹֽא־הָי֥וּ). This vital detail explains the direct implications for the priestly succession. Since they left no descendants, their priestly line was entirely cut off, ensuring that only the authorized remaining lines would continue the sacred office, maintaining the purity of the Aaronic priesthood as ordained by God.
• and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered: kāhanū (כָּהֲנ֤וּ). This verb specifically refers to "acting as priest" or "performing priestly functions." This explicitly states the shift in priestly leadership and reinforces God's faithfulness in ensuring the continuation of the divinely established priesthood through the surviving, obedient sons.
• in the priests' office: Clarifies that Eleazar and Ithamar assumed the very same holy responsibilities their elder brothers had tragically forfeited.
• in the sight of Aaron their father: bə‘ēnēy ʾAharon ʾaḇîhem (בְּעֵינֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֖ן אֲבִיהֶֽם). "In the eyes/presence of Aaron." Aaron witnessed both the sudden death of two sons and the continuation of the priesthood through the other two, enduring the profound personal loss while continuing to bear the burden of priestly leadership. This highlights his obedience and the solemn nature of the Tabernacle service.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD": This powerful statement introduces a moment of divine wrath, emphasizing the direct causality between the brothers' presumptuous act ("strange fire," i.e., unauthorized worship) and their immediate demise. The repetition of "before the LORD" intensifies the understanding that God's holiness was directly affronted in His presence, necessitating an instant, purifying judgment to sanctify His name and His Tabernacle.
• "in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children": This segment provides critical context for the event, placing it early in Israel's national formation where precedents were vital. The absence of children for Nadab and Abihu explains the practical theological ramification of their judgment—their branch of the Aaronic line was completely cut off, demonstrating that disobedience could sever one's very legacy and participation in God's sacred plan, particularly concerning inherited covenant roles.
• "and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priests' office in the sight of Aaron their father": This concluding phrase affirms God's commitment to His covenant and His established order for worship. Despite the severe tragedy and failure of the elder sons, God's plan for the priesthood did not falter; rather, it continued robustly through the remaining sons under their father's oversight, showcasing divine providence and the enduring nature of God's appointed institutions for His people's worship.

Numbers 3 4 Bonus section

• This verse provides a crucial genealogical exclusion within the Levitical census. In listing Aaron’s sons as the high priests (Numbers 3:2), the verse immediately addresses the "missing" senior priests by explaining their fate, thereby legitimizing Eleazar and Ithamar as the de facto successors, despite being the younger sons.
• The "strange fire" (אֵ֣שׁ זָרָ֗ה) can be understood not merely as a technical infraction concerning the source of the fire, but more broadly as any offering, prayer, or worship performed without God's command or by methods not ordained by Him. This sets a timeless precedent for worship "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24), which must be guided by divine revelation and genuine reverence rather than human preferences or arbitrary inventions.
• The incident underscores that proximity to God and sacred office incurs greater responsibility and accountability. Those privileged to serve God in unique ways are held to higher standards, illustrating the solemn nature of consecrated service.
• The event acts as a significant "purification" of the nascent Aaronic priesthood. At the very outset of its establishment, God cleansed it by severe judgment, establishing its profound sanctity and emphasizing the need for purity and precise obedience in ministry.

Numbers 3 4 Commentary

Numbers 3:4 is more than a mere factual re-statement of a past tragedy; it serves as a critical theological marker within the comprehensive layout of Israel's divine governance and religious structure. The death of Nadab and Abihu for offering "strange fire" vividly demonstrates God's absolute holiness and His uncompromising demand for adherence to His specific instructions, particularly concerning worship and sacred service. This foundational principle highlights that the presence of the Holy God is not to be trifled with, nor approached with human invention or casual disregard. Even those with the highest privilege—Aaron’s sons, consecrated to stand near God—are not exempt from severe consequences when they breach divine ordinances.

Their childless death further emphasizes God's precision in upholding His holy order. By removing their lineage, God ensured that no disqualified branch would corrupt the sacred Aaronic priesthood. This verse thus solidifies the legitimate continuation of the priestly office solely through Eleazar and Ithamar, underscoring the vital theme of divine election and faithful succession within God's covenantal arrangements. The enduring lesson is one of reverent obedience: true worship must be on God’s terms, not man’s, for His glory and for the welfare of His people. This established a precedent for all future generations that access to God must be according to His revealed way.