Abihu
maleExodusMeaning: “He is my father”
The second son of Aaron, a priest who died with his brother Nadab for offering unauthorized fire before the LORD.
Biography
Abihu was the second son of Aaron and Elisheba, one of the first priests of Israel. Like his elder brother Nadab, he was privileged to ascend Mount Sinai with Moses and the elders and to behold the God of Israel (Exodus 24:1, 9).
Judgment at the altar
But Abihu joined Nadab in offering "strange fire" — incense the LORD had not commanded — and both were struck dead by fire from the LORD in the very hour of the tabernacle's consecration (Leviticus 10:1–2). Their fate underscored, at the founding of Israel's worship, the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him only as He directs.
Life Timeline
Dies with Nadab offering unauthorized fire
On the Bible timeline
Abihu belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Abihu
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Abihu appears.
People they appear with
Things in their story
Scripture Appearances
12 verses in 4 booksExodus4 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 24:1
And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
Exodus 24:9
Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
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.
Leviticus1 verse
Leviticus 10:1
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.
Numbers4 verses
Numbers 3:2
And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
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.
Numbers 26:60
And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Numbers 26:61
And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.
1 Chronicles3 verses
1 Chronicles 6:3
And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:1
Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:2
But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
Frequently asked about Abihu
Who was Abihu in the Bible?
The second son of Aaron, a priest who died with his brother Nadab for offering unauthorized fire before the LORD.
What does the name Abihu mean?
The name Abihu means “He is my father”.
What did Abihu do in the Bible?
Abihu served as priest, of the tribe of Levi.
Who were Abihu's parents?
Abihu was the child of Aaron, Elisheba.
Where does Abihu appear in the Bible?
Abihu is mentioned 12 times across 4 books: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Abihu?
The story of Abihu touches on themes of aaron, abihu, ithamar, levites — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Abihu's life.
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