Lexical Definition
נָדָב Nâdâb (naw-dawb') Nadab N:N-M-P
from נָדַב; liberal
Nadab.
- § Nadab = "generous"
- Nadab, the name of four Israelites
1) eldest son of Aaron by Elisheba; struck dead before the sanctuary in the wilderness for kindling the censers with strange fire
2) son of king Jeroboam I of the northern kingdom of Israel and king of Israel for 2 years before being slain by Baasha
3) a Jerahmeelite, son of Shammai, of the tribe of Judah
4) a son of Gibeon of the tribe of Benjamin
Extended Information
- A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.23
- son of: Aaron (אַהֲרוֹן) and Elisheba (אֱלִישֶׁבַע)
- brother of: Abihu (אֲבִיהוּא), Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָר) and Ithamar (אִיתָמָר)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
נָדָב proper name, masculine (generous, noble) —
1. eldest son of Aaron Exod 6:23; Exod 24:1; Exod 24:9; Exod 28:1; Lev 10:1; Num 3:2; Num 3:4; Num 26:60; Num 26:61; 1Chr 5:29*; 1Chr 24:1. ᵐ5 Ναδαβ (so 3, 4).
2. son of Jeroboam I 1Kgs 14:20; 1Kgs 15:25; 1Kgs 15:27; 1Kgs 15:31. ᵐ5 Ναβατ, Ναβαθ, ᵐ5L Ναδαβ.
3. a Jerahmeelite 1Chr 2:28; 1Chr 2:30.
4. a Gibeonite 1Chr 8:30; 1Chr 9:36.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Exodus | 6:23 · 24:1 · 24:9 · 28:1 |
| Leviticus | 10:1 |
| Numbers | 3:2 · 3:4 · 26:60 · 26:61 |
| 1 Kings | 14:20 · 15:25 · 15:27 · 15:31 |
| 1 Chronicles | 2:28 · 2:30 · 5:29* · 8:30 · 9:36 · 24:1 |
Profile
Male • A priest • Son of Aaron, consumed by fire for offering incense.
Priest living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness
Nadab, the eldest son of Aaron, was consumed by fire from the Lord for offering unauthorized incense.
- A priest from the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.23;
- only referred to as Nadab נָדָב;
- son of Aaron אַהֲרוֹן and Elisheba אֱלִישֶׁבַע;
- a brother of Abihu אֲבִיהוּא, Eleazar אֶלְעָזָר and Ithamar אִיתָמָר.
Nadab was the eldest son of Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel, and his wife Elisheba (Exodus 6:23). Along with his brothers Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, Nadab was consecrated as a priest to serve in the Tabernacle (Exodus 28:1).
Nadab, along with his brother Abihu and seventy elders of Israel, accompanied Moses partway up Mount Sinai when the Lord made His covenant with the people (Exodus 24:1,9). There, they saw a manifestation of God's presence and ate and drank in His presence.
However, Nadab and Abihu later committed a grave offense by offering unauthorized fire (incense) before the Lord, which He had not commanded them to do (Leviticus 10:1). As a result, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord (Leviticus 10:2; Numbers 3:4; 26:61).
This tragic event served as a sobering reminder to the Israelites of the importance of following God's commands precisely, especially in matters related to worship and the priesthood. After their death, Eleazar and Ithamar took over their priestly duties under the direction of their father, Aaron (Numbers 3:4; 1 Chronicles 24:2).
The story of Nadab and Abihu underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness with which He regards the proper worship and service of His people. It also highlights the importance of obedience and the consequences of disregarding God's clear instructions.
All entries for Nadab: נָדָב