Why this story matters

(commentary on Leviticus 9-10)

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Introduction

The tragic story of Nadab and Abihu’s violent demise is important for a couple of reasons. First, we have another example of a human tragedy wrought by Yahweh for which there is no clear moral lesson. There are a variety of reasons commentators give as to why Yahweh killed Aaron’s sons and no one knows for sure which one is correct. And, second, the story reaffirms the image of Yahweh as a stern, vengeful being with little empathy for human fallibility. Nadab and Abihu clearly did something they weren’t supposed to do, but to be burned alive for this seems unnecessarily spiteful and barbaric.

Who were Nadab and Abihu?

Not much is written about Nadab and Abihu, but what is written is significant in the context of this story. They are the two eldest sons of Moses’ brother Aaron. When Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, he took an entourage with him as God commanded. This included 70 elders as well as three individuals that God called by name: Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu (Exodus 24:1). These individuals were so special that they were allowed to look upon Yahweh in person as  he stood on a sapphire pavement: “Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself” (Exodus 24:9-10).

When the two boys next appear, it's in the book of Leviticus at the ordination ceremony described in this story. In chapter eight of Leviticus, after Aaron receives his ceremonial dress, Moses presents Aaron's sons with their own priestly attire: “Then he brought Aaron's sons forward, put tunics on them, tied sashes around them and put headbands on them, as the Lord commanded Moses” (Lev. 8:13). An elaborate ordination scene is then played out including lots of animal slaughter. The Bible says that Aaron’s sons did all that was asked of them: “So Aaron and his sons did everything the LORD commanded through Moses” (Lev. 8:36).

In the next chapter they begin their duties as priests and slaughter more animals to appease Yahweh. Everything is going so well, at this point, that Yahweh decides to make a spectacular appearance.

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