Lev. 10:1 , 2 Lev. 10:1 , 2 ; Num. 26:61 ; 1 Chron. 24:2 Or, before the Altar. Whiles their father lived.
Historical and theological verse study from Book of Numbers, Chapter 3.
Apply the spiritual lesson of Numbers 3:4 through prayerful reflection and faithful obedience.
“Gracious Father, write the truth of Numbers 3:4 upon my heart by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Mortui sunt enim Nadab et Abiu cum offerrent ignem alienum in conspectu Domini in deserto Sinai, absque liberis : functique sunt sacerdotio Eleazar et Ithamar coram Aaron patre suo.”
“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, however, died in the presence of the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai. And since they had no sons, only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.”
“Nadab and Abihu died before Yahweh, when they offered strange fire before Yahweh, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the presence of Aaron their father.”
“And Nadab and Abihu died before Jehovah, when they offered strange fire before Jehovah, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children; and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the presence of Aaron their father.”
Lev. 10:1 , 2 Lev. 10:1 , 2 ; Num. 26:61 ; 1 Chron. 24:2 Or, before the Altar. Whiles their father lived.
Presence; or as it is expressed, (1 Paralipomenon xxiv. 9,) under the hand of Aaron, by his direction, and in quality of his assistant, (Calmet) while he lived, Eleazar succeeded him in the high priesthood; (Josue xxiv. 33,) and his children possessed that dignity, till the posterity of Ithamar came in under Heli, chap. xxv. 13. (Haydock)
Verses 1-13 There was much work belonging to the priests' office, and there were now only Aaron and his two sons to do it; God appoints the Levites to attend them. Those whom God finds work for, he will find help for. The Levites were taken instead of the first-born. When He that made us, saves us, as the first-born of Israel were saved, we are laid under further obligations to serve him faithfully. God's right to us by redemption, confirms the right he has to us by creation.