MPV Commentary

1. The sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, took it upon themselves to perform the incense service, a duty that had been entrusted to Moses alone. Their offense was more serious than just assuming an unauthorized role; they also intruded into the holy of holies, a place accessible only to the high priest. By doing so, they offered strange fire before the Lord, demonstrating a presumptuous and unwarranted disregard for their sacred office.

Their offense was even more egregious because instead of using the fire from the brazen altar, which had been miraculously provided, they used common fire. This act betrayed a carelessness, irreverence, and lack of faith that was both surprising and lamentable. A precedent of such evil tendency was dangerous, and it was necessary for God to express his displeasure in order to maintain the integrity of the priests and the sacred things.

2. Fire issued from the Lord and consumed Nadab and Abihu. The expression "from the Lord" indicates that this fire came from the most holy place. This judgment served as a warning, similar to the one given at the beginning of the Christian dispensation (Acts 5:1-11).

3. Moses said, "This is what the Lord spoke... I will be sanctified in those who come near me." The phrase "those who come near me" refers specifically to the priests, who had received repeated warnings about approaching God with caution and reverence (Exodus 19:22; 29:44; Leviticus 8:35).

Aaron remained silent, overcome by the sudden and devastating loss of his two sons. He did not express any complaint or discontent but instead submitted to what he saw as the righteous judgment of God.

4-5. Moses called upon Mishael and Elzaphan to remove the bodies of Nadab and Abihu for burial outside the camp. This was done to prevent the spread of the painful news throughout the congregation and to instill a salutary fear in both priests and people. The priestly vestments were also buried with the corpses, signifying their pollution by the sin of their wearers.

6. Moses instructed those carrying out the bodies not to uncover their heads or rend their garments, as was customary for mourning. This prohibition applied specifically to their official attire, as they were still engaged in their sacred duties.

8-11. After the incident, Moses prohibited the priests from drinking wine or strong drink. Some have speculated that Nadab and Abihu may have been under the influence of intoxication when they committed their offense, but this is mere conjecture.

12-15. Moses reminded Aaron and his surviving sons of the laws governing priestly conduct, which had likely been overlooked in the midst of their family bereavement.

16-20. Moses discovered that the goat for the sin offering had been burnt outside the camp instead of being eaten by the priests as prescribed. He challenged Aaron's two surviving sons to explain this irregularity, but it was Aaron who provided an explanation. According to Aaron, all the duties related to the presentation of the offering had been performed except for the festive part, which he had omitted due to his grief or because he thought the services were vitiated by the recent judgments. However, Aaron's excuse was not valid, as the law required the sin offering to be eaten in the holy place. Moses sympathized with his brother but pointed out the error without further comment.