Numbers 3:4

“But Nadab and Abihu died before YHWH when they offered strange fire before YHWH in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the presence of Aaron their father.”

Numbers 3:4 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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With the Hebrew beneath

4

Numbers 3:4, word by word

But Nadabנָדָבnadav

Nadab

Nadab: the name of several Israelites, among them the oldest son of Aaron and a king of Israel.

Where else “nadav” appears
and Abihuאֲבִיהוּאavihu

Abihu

Abihu: the second son of Aaron.

Where else “avihu” appears
diedיָּמָתyamat

die

To cease living; also, one who has ceased living.

Where else “yamat” appears
beforeפְנֵיfene

before

Literally "to the face of": in sight of someone, or on account of something.

Where else “fene” appears
YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears
when they offeredהַקְרִבָhakriva

bring near

To bring something, or offer a gift to YHWH.

Where else “hakriva” appears
strangeזָרָהzara

foreign

Something alien, not belonging: other gods, unauthorized fire.

Where else “zara” appears
fireאֵשׁesh

fire

Fire that burns or cooks.

Where else “esh” appears
in the wildernessמִדְבַּרmidbar

wilderness

Dry, unfarmed land where flocks graze.

Where else “midbar” appears
and they had noהָיוּhayu

exist

To exist: "let there be light".

Where else “hayu” appears
sonsבָנִיםvanim

son

The male born of a father and mother; in the plural, also sons and daughters.

Where else “vanim” appears
so Eleazarאֶלְעָזָרelazar

Eleazar

Eleazar: the name of several Israelites, above all the third son of Aaron, who succeeded him as high priest.

Where else “elazar” appears
and Ithamarאִיתָמָרitamar

Ithamar

Ithamar: the youngest son of Aaron.

Where else “itamar” appears
served as priestsיְכַהֵןyechahen

serve as priest

Serve as a priest.

Where else “yechahen” appears
of Aaronאַהֲרֹןaharon

Aaron

Aaron, the older brother of Moses, his spokesman before Pharaoh and the first high priest of Israel.

Where else “aharon” appears
their fatherאֲבִיavi

father

The man who begets a child and heads his household.

Where else “avi” appears

Places in this verse

JerusalemSinai?
Approximate location. A “?” means it is not known for sure where it was.
  • Sinai ?

    Today: disputed; traditionally Jebel Musa, Sinai, Egypt

    A mountain in the wilderness; which one it was is not known for certain, and its location is disputed.

    There God spoke with Moses and gave the law to Israel (Exod 19:20; 24:16).

    Exodus 19:20Exodus 19:11Exodus 24:16Acts 7:38

The context

3These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.

4 · This verse (above)

5And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,

Read all of Numbers 3

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