The Death of Nadab and Abihu

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire and incense in them. They offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them to do (Leviticus 10:1). In response to this action, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord (Leviticus 10:2). The text does not say what specific ingredients or methods made the fire unauthorized.

Following their deaths, Moses spoke to Aaron, stating that the Lord had said he would be sanctified by those who come near him and glorified before all the people. Upon hearing this, Aaron held his peace (Leviticus 10:3). Moses then called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel, who was Aaron's uncle. He commanded them to carry the bodies of their relatives away from the front of the sanctuary to a place outside the camp. They did so, carrying the men by their tunics (Leviticus 10:4-5).

Moses gave specific instructions to Aaron and his surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar. He told them not to let their hair hang loose or tear their clothes, warning that they would die and wrath would come upon the whole congregation if they did so (Leviticus 10:6). While the whole house of Israel was permitted to bewail the burning the Lord had kindled, Aaron and his sons were forbidden from leaving the entrance of the tent of meeting because the Lord’s anointing oil was upon them (Leviticus 10:7). They followed the word of Moses as commanded.