Nadab
maleExodusMeaning: “Generous; willing”
The eldest son of Aaron, a priest who, with his brother Abihu, was struck dead for offering unauthorized "strange fire" before the LORD.
Biography
Nadab was the eldest son of Aaron and Elisheba, consecrated among the first priests of Israel. He was granted a remarkable privilege: with his father, his brother Abihu, and seventy elders, he went up Mount Sinai and "saw the God of Israel" from afar (Exodus 24:9–10).
Strange fire
Yet Nadab and Abihu presumed to offer "strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not." Fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the sanctuary (Leviticus 10:1–2). Their deaths, early in the priesthood, became a solemn warning that those who draw near to a holy God must do so on His terms — "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me" (Leviticus 10:3).
Life Timeline
Ascends Sinai and sees the God of Israel from afar
Dies offering "strange fire" before the LORD
On the Bible timeline
Nadab 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 Nadab
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Nadab appears.
People they appear with
Things in their story
Scripture Appearances
9 verses in 3 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.
Frequently asked about Nadab
Who was Nadab in the Bible?
The eldest son of Aaron, a priest who, with his brother Abihu, was struck dead for offering unauthorized "strange fire" before the LORD.
What does the name Nadab mean?
The name Nadab means “Generous; willing”.
What did Nadab do in the Bible?
Nadab served as priest, of the tribe of Levi.
Who were Nadab's parents?
Nadab was the child of Aaron, Elisheba.
Where does Nadab appear in the Bible?
Nadab is mentioned 9 times across 3 books: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers.
What can we learn from Nadab?
The story of Nadab touches on themes of abihu, aaron, levites, seventy — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Nadab's life.
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