And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the sight of Aaron their father.
Nadab and Abihu died in the Lord's presence when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests under the supervision of their father Aaron.
This verse explains that two of Aaron's sons died for offering improper worship to God, so his other two sons took over their priestly duties.
📚 Historical Context
This refers to an incident described in Leviticus 10 where Aaron's eldest sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered 'strange fire' (likely incense burned improperly or at the wrong time) in the newly constructed tabernacle. God had given very specific instructions about how worship was to be conducted, and their disobedience resulted in their immediate death. Aaron's remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, then continued the priestly line under their father's guidance.
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