 | Abihu | |
Father of Him; i.e., "worshipper of God", the second of the sons of Aaron (Exodus 6:23; Numbers 3:2; 26:60; 1 Chronicles 6:3). Along with his three brothers he was consecrated to the priest's office (Exodus 28:1). With his 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 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 (Leviticus 6:9, etc.), and for this offence they were struck dead, and were taken out and buried without the camp (Leviticus 10:1-11; Comp. Numbers 3:4; 26:61; 1 Chronicles 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.
