Topical Encyclopedia
1. Nadab, Son of AaronNadab was the eldest son of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab (
Exodus 6:23). He was a member of the tribe of Levi and was consecrated as a priest alongside his father and brothers, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, as part of the establishment of the Levitical priesthood (
Exodus 28:1). Nadab's role as a priest was significant, as he was among those chosen to serve in the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God among the Israelites.
Nadab, along with his brother Abihu, is most notably remembered for an incident involving unauthorized worship. In
Leviticus 10:1-2, it is recorded that Nadab and Abihu "took their censers, put fire in them, and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command." As a result of this disobedience, "fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." This event underscored the holiness of God and the importance of adhering strictly to His commands, especially in matters of worship.
The death of Nadab and Abihu served as a solemn warning to the Israelites about the seriousness of approaching God with reverence and obedience. It also highlighted the necessity for the priests to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the clean and the unclean (
Leviticus 10:10).
2. Nadab, King of IsraelNadab was the son of Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. Nadab succeeded his father as king and reigned for two years (
1 Kings 15:25). His reign is characterized by the continuation of the idolatrous practices initiated by Jeroboam, which included the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan (
1 Kings 12:28-30).
The biblical account in
1 Kings 15:26 states, "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit." Nadab's reign was marked by instability and conflict, particularly with the Philistines. During a military campaign against the Philistine city of Gibbethon, Nadab was assassinated by Baasha, one of his own military commanders (
1 Kings 15:27-28).
Baasha's coup not only ended Nadab's reign but also fulfilled the prophecy given to Jeroboam by the prophet Ahijah, which foretold the destruction of Jeroboam's dynasty due to his idolatry and disobedience to God (
1 Kings 14:10-11). Baasha subsequently became king and eradicated the entire house of Jeroboam, ensuring that none of Jeroboam's descendants would ascend to the throne (
1 Kings 15:29).
3. Nadab, Other ReferencesThe name Nadab also appears in genealogical records within the tribe of Judah. In
1 Chronicles 2:28, Nadab is listed as a descendant of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron. This Nadab is not associated with any significant events or narratives in the biblical text.
ConclusionThe accounts of Nadab, both as the son of Aaron and as the king of Israel, serve as reminders of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. Whether in the context of priestly service or royal leadership, the biblical narrative emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and reverence toward God.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Nadabfree and voluntary gift; prince
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Nadab(liberal).
- The eldest son of Aaron and Elisheba. Exod 8 13 Numb 3:2. (B.C. 1490.) He, his father and brother, and seventy old men of Israel were led out from the midst of the assembled people, (Exodus 24:1) and were commended to stay and worship God "afar off," below the lofty summit of Sinai, where Moses alone was to come near to the Lord. Subsequently, (Leviticus 10:1) Nadab and his brother were struck dead before the sanctuary by fire from the Lord. Their offence was kindling the incense in their censers with "strange" fire, i.e. not taken from that which burned perpetually, (Leviticus 6:13) on the altar.
- King Jeroboam's son, who succeeded to the throne of Israel B.C. 954, and reigned two years. (1 Kings 15:25-31) At the siege of Gibbethon a conspiracy broke out in the midst of the army, and the king was slain by Baasha, a man of Issachar.
- A son of Shammai (1 Chronicles 2:28) of the tribe of Judah.
- A son of Gibeon, (1 Chronicles 8:30;9:36) of the tribe of Benjamin.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Nadab1. The oldest son of Aaron, slain by the lord for presumptuously offering strange fire on the altar of burnt offering, Le 10:1-20. SeeABIHU.
2. Son of Jeroboam I. King of Israel. He succeeded his father, B. C. 954, and reigned but two years, being assassinated, while besieging Gibbethon, by Baasha, of the tribe of Issachar, who usurped his kingdom. Nadab did evil in the sight of the Lord; and with him perished his children and the race of Jeroboam, as God had foretold,1 Kings 15:25-30.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Liberal, generous.
(1.) The eldest of Aaron's four sons (Exodus 6:23;Numbers 3:2). He with his brothers and their father were consecrated as priests of Jehovah (Exodus 28:1). He afterwards perished with Abihu for the sin of offering strange fire on the altar of burnt-offering (Leviticus 10:1, 2;Numbers 3:4;26:60).
(2.) The son and successor of Jeroboam, the king of Israel (1 Kings 14:20). While engaged with all Israel in laying siege to Gibbethon, a town of southern Dan (Joshua 19:44), a conspiracy broke out in his army, and he was slain by Baasha (1 Kings 15:25-28), after a reign of two years (B.C. 955-953). The assassination of Nadab was followed by that of his whole house, and thus this great Ephraimite family became extinct (1 Kings 15:29).
(3.) One of the sons of Shammai in the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:28, 30).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NADABna'-dab (nadhabh, "noble"; Nadab):
(1) Aaron's first-born son (Exodus 6:23Numbers 3:2;Numbers 26:601 Chronicles 6:3 (Hebrew 5:29); 24:1). He was permitted with Moses, Aaron, the 70 elders, and his brother Abihu to ascend Mt. Sinai and behold the God of Israel (Exodus 24:1, 9). He was associated with his father and brothers in the priestly office (Exodus 28:1). Along with Abihu he was guilty of offering "strange fire," and both "died before Yahweh" (Leviticus 10:1, 2Numbers 3:4;Numbers 26:61). The nature of their offense is far from clear. The word rendered "strange" seems in this connection to mean no more than "unauthorized by the Law" (see zur, in BDB, and compareExodus 30:9). The proximity of the prohibition of wine to officiating priests (Leviticus 10:8, 9) has given rise to the erroneous suggestion of the Midrash that the offense of the brothers was drunkenness.
(2) A descendant of Jerahmeel (1 Chronicles 2:28, 30).
(3) A Gibeonite (1 Chronicles 8:30).
(4) Son of Jeroboam I and after him for two years king of Israel (1 Kings 14:20;1 Kings 15:25). While Nadab was investing Gibbethon, a Philistine stronghold, Baasha, who probably was an officer in the army, as throne-robbers usually were, conspired against him, slew him and seized the throne (1 Kings 15:27-31). With the assassination of Nadab the dynasty of Jeroboam was extirpated, as foretold by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 14). This event is typical of the entire history of the Northern Kingdom, characterized by revolutions and counter-revolutions.
John A. Lees
Strong's Hebrew
5070.Nadab -- an Israelite name...Nadab. 5071 . an Israelite name. Transliteration:
Nadab Phonetic Spelling:
(naw-dawb') Short Definition:
Nadab. Word Origin from
nadab Definition an Isr.
...5068.nadab -- to incite, impel
... 5067b, 5068.nadab. 5069 . to incite, impel. Transliteration:nadab Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-dab') Short Definition: willingly.... 5067b, 5068.nadab. 5069 >...
292. Achinadab -- "my brother is noble," an official of Solomon
... Word Origin from ach andnadab Definition "my brother is noble," an official of
Solomon NASB Word Usage Ahinadab (1). Ahinadab.... see HEBREWnadab. 291, 292....
5069. nedab -- to volunteer, offer freely
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding tonadab Definition to volunteer, offer freely
NASB Word Usage freely offered (1), freewill offering (1), offered willingly...
4367. Maknadbay -- an Israelite
... Machnadebai. From mah andnadab with a particle interposed; what (is) like (a) liberal
(man)?; Maknadbai, an Israelite -- Machnadebai.... see HEBREWnadab....
5992. Amminadab -- "my kinsman is noble," the name of several...
... Amminadab. From am andnadab; people of liberality; Amminadab, the name of four
Israelites -- Amminadab. see HEBREW am. see HEBREWnadab. 5991, 5992....
3082. Yehonadab -- "the LORD is noble," a Rechabite, also a nephew...
... Word Origin from Yhvh andnadab Definition "the LORD is noble," a Rechabite, also
a nephew of David NASB Word Usage Jehonadab (3), Jonadab (12)....
41. Abinadab -- "my father is noble," three Israelites
... Word Origin from ab andnadab Definition "my father is noble," three Isr. NASB Word
Usage Abinadab (12). Abinadab.... see HEBREW 'ab. see HEBREWnadab. 40, 41....
5081. nadib -- inclined, generous, noble
... Word Origin fromnadab Definition inclined, generous, noble NASB Word Usage generous
man (1), moved (1), noble (3), noble man (1), nobleman (1), nobles (7...
5071. nedabah -- voluntariness, freewill offering
... Word Origin fromnadab Definition voluntariness, freewill offering NASB Word Usage
freely (1), freewill offering (12), freewill offerings (9), plentiful (1...
Library
Strange Fire
... THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS STRANGE FIRE. 'AndNadab and Abihu, the...Nadab and Abihu had
been consecrated for the purpose of enforcing the truth of God's holiness....
The Kingdom of Samaria.
... Prophets warned him in vain, that his line should not remain on the throne; and
in the reign of his sonNadab, the rebel Baasha arose and slew the whole family...
National Apostasy
... of the practices of idolatry.Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, occupied the
throne of Israel for only a few months. His career of evil...
'The Love of Thine Espousals'
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS 'THE LOVE OF THINE ESPOUSALS'. 'And He said unto Moses, Come
up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron,Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of...
Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... prophecy, and his brother's virtue. He had at that time four sons,Nadab,
Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2. Now Moses commanded them...
Concerning the Death of a Son of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam was Beaten...
... Kingdom By Asa. And Also How, After The Death Of Jeroboam Baasha Destroyed
His SonNadab And All The House Of Jeroboam. 1. However...
The Nations of the South-East
... One of them was Shalman, who may be the spoiler of Beth-Arbel referred to by
Hosea;[10] another was Chemosh-nadab, the contemporary of Hezekiah....
Concerning Things done in Illumination.
... of the Law, when rejecting Osias, because he put his hand to sacred things; and
Korah, because to things sacred above his capacity; andNadab and Abihu...
Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... In the twenty-fourth chapter of Exodus Moses has given an account of God's call
to him, to Aaron,Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders, to come up to Horeb....
The Divided Kingdom.
... The Kings of the Northern Kingdom. 1. Jeroboam, 1:K.12:20-14:20. Reigned 22 years
and died. 2.Nadab, 1:K.15:25-27. Reigned 2 years and was slain....
Thesaurus
Nadab (21 Occurrences)... The assassination of
Nadab was followed by that of his whole house, and thus this
great Ephraimite family became extinct (1 Kings 15:29).
...NADAB.
...Nadab's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceNadab's (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 15:31 Now the
rest of the acts ofNadab and all that he did, are they not...
Abihu (12 Occurrences)
... father and elder brother he accompanied the seventy elders part of the way up the
mount with Moses (Exodus 24:1, 9). On one occasion he andNadab his brother...
Abi'hu (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of
Nahshon, to wife; and she bore himNadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar....
Ith'amar (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of
Nahshon, to wife; and she bore himNadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar....
Ithamar (20 Occurrences)
... and youngest son of Aaron (1 Chronicles 6:3). He was consecrated to the priesthood
along with his brothers (Exodus 6:23); and after the death ofNadab and Abihu...
Elea'zar (72 Occurrences)
... Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of
Nahshon, to wife; and she bore himNadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar....
Unauthorized (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 10:1Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put
fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Yahweh...
Unholy (23 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 10:1Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put
fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Yahweh...
Gibbethon (5 Occurrences)
... 23).Nadab the king of Israel, while besieging it, was slain under its
walls by Baasha, one of his own officers (1 Kings 15:27)....
Resources
Who was King Nadab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho were Nadab and Abihu? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the strange fire in Leviticus 10:1? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
