Abihu

AI summary: Abihu matters because the cross references place him at the boundary between holy calling and irreverent presumption. He is among the sons of Aaron admitted to priestly service and even present on Sinai, yet his later offering of strange fire with Nadab results in immediate judgment. That contrast gives his story enduring force within the theology of worship. Taken together, the material presents Abihu as a priest whose death warns that nearness to sacred things does not excuse disobedience or casual handling of God's holiness.¹

Father of Him; i.e., “worshipper of God”, the second of the sons of Aaron (Ex. 6:23; Num. 3:2; 26:60; 1 Chr. 6:3). Along with his three brothers he was consecrated to the priest’s office (Ex. 28:1). With his father and elder brother he accompanied the seventy elders part of the way up the mount with Moses (Ex. 24:1, 9). On one occasion he and Nadab his brother offered incense in their censers filled with “strange” (i.e., common) fire, i.e., not with fire taken from the great brazen altar (Lev. 6:9, etc.), and for this offence they were struck dead, and were taken out and buried without the camp (Lev. 10:1-11; comp. Num. 3:4; 26:61; 1 Chr. 24:2). It is probable that when they committed this offence they were intoxicated, for immediately after is given the law prohibiting the use of wine or strong drink to the priests. ³