Nadab was the firstborn son of Aaron, Israel's first high priest. He was consecrated for priestly service along with his father and brothers, but died together with his brother Abihu when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord. His death served as a warning about the importance of approaching God in the prescribed manner.
Nadab was among the seventy elders who were allowed to go up Mount Sinai with Moses, Aaron, and Abihu, where they saw the God of Israel and ate and drank in his presence.
1Now bring near to yourself your brother Aaron, and his sons with him, from among the Israelites, to serve me as priests: Aaron, and Aaron's sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4These are the garments they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They shall make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and for his sons, so that they may serve me as priests.
Nadab and his brother Abihu each took their censer, put fire in it, added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them.
1Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu each took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them.
Fire came out from the Lord and consumed Nadab and Abihu, so that they died before the Lord. Moses explained that God must be treated as holy by those who approach him.
3Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD meant when he said: 'Among those who draw near to me I will show myself holy, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron was silent.
Nadab's cousins carried him and Abihu out of the camp in their priestly garments, just as Moses had commanded. Aaron and his remaining sons were forbidden to mourn publicly.
4Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Uzziel, Aaron's uncle, and said to them, "Come here, carry your brothers away from the front of the sanctuary, outside the camp."
6Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not let your hair hang loose, and do not tear your garments, or you will die and wrath will come upon the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn the burning that the LORD has kindled.