Single lesson
Nadab and Abihu
Leviticus 10:1–7
Two of Aaron’s sons offered what God had not commanded, and Israel learned that the LORD is holy.
Before you teach
Nadab and Abihu were Aaron’s sons. Each of them took his censer, put fire in it, added incense, and offered it before the LORD. But this was a different fire, something the LORD had not commanded them to bring. Then fire came out from before the LORD and destroyed them, and they died there before him. Moses spoke to Aaron and said this showed that the LORD is holy among those who come near him, and that he must be honoured before all the people. Aaron said nothing.
Explain the central teaching of Nadab and Abihu, using two details from the reading. Two of Aaron’s sons offered what God had not commanded, and Israel learned that the LORD is holy.
Welcome: Nadab and Abihu
5 minIntroduce “Nadab and Abihu” and locate Leviticus 10:1–7. Two of Aaron’s sons offered what God had not commanded, and Israel learned that the LORD is holy. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Leviticus 10:1, Leviticus 10:4, Leviticus 10:7
Read and explain the passage
12 minNadab and Abihu were Aaron’s sons. Each of them took his censer, put fire in it, added incense, and offered it before the LORD. But this was a different fire, something the LORD had not commanded them to bring.
Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel. He told them to come near and carry their brothers away from the front of the sanctuary and out of the camp. They obeyed and carried them out in their tunics.
Moses also told them not to leave the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, because the LORD’s anointing oil was on them. They did what Moses said. It was a hard lesson for Israel that serving near the LORD was holy work, to be done as he commanded.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Nadab and Abihu”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Leviticus 10:1, Leviticus 10:2, Leviticus 10:4, Leviticus 10:5, Leviticus 10:3, Leviticus 10:7, Leviticus 10:6
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with ““Then fire came out from before the LORD and destroyed them, and they died there before him.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Two of Aaron’s sons offered what God had not commanded, and Israel learned that the LORD is holy. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Leviticus 10:3, Leviticus 10:2, Leviticus 10:4, Leviticus 10:5, Leviticus 10:7, Leviticus 10:6
Make and respond: Choices and outcomes evidence map
12 minWork on “Nadab and Abihu: Choices and outcomes evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Nadab and Abihu” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Leviticus 10:1, Leviticus 10:4, Leviticus 10:7
Closing: return to Nadab and Abihu
3 minRevisit Leviticus 10:1–7. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Nadab and Abihu and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Leviticus 10:1, Leviticus 10:4, Leviticus 10:7
Questions to explore
“Then fire came out from before the LORD and destroyed them, and they died there before him.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?
Then fire came out from before the LORD and destroyed them, and they died there before him. Moses spoke to Aaron and said this showed that the LORD is holy among those who come near him, and that he must be honoured before all the people. Aaron said nothing.
Leviticus 10:3, Leviticus 10:2, Leviticus 10:4
How does this moment affect the rest of the account: “Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel.”?
Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel. He told them to come near and carry their brothers away from the front of the sanctuary and out of the camp. They obeyed and carried them out in their tunics.
Leviticus 10:4, Leviticus 10:5, Leviticus 10:3
“Moses also told them not to leave the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, because the LORD’s anointing oil was on them.” How does this ending connect with the beginning?
Moses also told them not to leave the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, because the LORD’s anointing oil was on them. They did what Moses said. It was a hard lesson for Israel that serving near the LORD was holy work, to be done as he commanded.
Leviticus 10:7, Leviticus 10:3, Leviticus 10:6
Make, think or respond
Nadab and Abihu: Choices and outcomes evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Words or actions”, “What happens next”, “Verse reference”.
- Read Leviticus 10:1–7. Use “Nadab and Abihu” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Compare two actions or statements in the account and explain their different outcomes.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Nadab and Abihu connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Nadab and Abihu” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Leviticus 10:1–7. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Leviticus 10:1–7. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Leviticus 10
1 Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them.
2 Fire came out from before Yahweh, and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh.
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what Yahweh spoke of, saying, ‘I will show myself holy to those who come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” Aaron held his peace.
4 Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Draw near, carry your brothers from before the sanctuary out of the camp.”
5 So they came near, and carried them in their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said.
6 Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, “Don’t let the hair of your heads go loose, and don’t tear your clothes, so that you don’t die, and so that he will not be angry with all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which Yahweh has kindled.
7 You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting, lest you die; for the anointing oil of Yahweh is on you.” They did according to the word of Moses.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
