Bible Encyclopedias
Nadab

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

nā´dab ( דנדב , nādhābh , "noble"; Ναδάβ , Nadab):

(1) Aaron's first-born son (Exodus 6:23; Numbers 3:2; Numbers 26:60; 1 Chronicles 6:3 (5:29 in Heb); 1 Chronicles 24:1 ). He was permitted with Moses, Aaron, the 70 elders, and his brother Abihu to ascend Mt. Sinai and behold the God of Israel Exodus 24:1 , Exodus 24:9 . He was associated with his father and brothers in the priestly office Exodus 28:1 . Along with Abihu he was guilty of offering "strange fire," and both "died before Yahweh" Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 3:4; Numbers 26:61 . The nature of their offence is far from clear. The word rendered "strange" seems in this connection to mean no more than "unauthorized by the Law" (see זוּר , zūr , in Brown, Driver, and Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament , and compare Exodus 30:9 ). The proximity of the prohibition of wine to officiating priests Leviticus 10:8-9 has given rise to the erroneous suggestion of the Midrash that the offence of the brothers was drunkenness.

(2) A descendant of Jerahmeel 1 Chronicles 2:28 , 1 Chronicles 2:30 .

(3) A G ibeonite 1 Chronicles 8:30 .

(4) Son of Jeroboam I and after him for two years king of Israel 1 Kings 14:20; 1 Kings 15:25 . While Nadab was investing Gibbethon, a Philistine stronghold, Baasha, who probably was an officer in the army, as throne-robbers usually were, conspired against him, slew him and seized the throne 1 Kings 15:27-31 . With the assassination of Nadab the dynasty of Jeroboam was extirpated, as foretold by the prophet Ahijah 1 Kin 14. This event is typical of the entire history of the Northern Kingdom, characterized by revolutions and counter-revolutions.