S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

In order to understand the phrase "strange fire," we must review the story in Leviticus in which it appears. The first tabernacle had been erected, and Aaron was doing a lot of sacrificing per God'...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Christian Mwila Supporter

They offered up strange fire. The lesson is that God has a standard, much like Christ said in John 4 they that worshiped Him Must worship Him in Spirit and Truth (observing His way, rather than man's way) these two attempted to approach God with incence from fires they had setup for themselves rather than using the fire that was maintained in the temple. Moses told the three remaining priests never to drink strong drink or wine when they came to minister, so one possible inference is that Nadab and Abihu had been drinking before this incident....God judged them. This illustrates the principle that Man must worship in line with God's way and not attempt to create his own way....God is exclusive it's wether His way or nothing.....Christianity is not self help, it's God's help....Jesus said I Am THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE. He did not say I am A way, A truth and A life...He is Lord....and if you have not made Him Lord of all in your life, then you have not made Him Lord at all.

February 04 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

Exodus 30:9, "You shall not offer strange incense on it, or a burnt offering.." (The altar of incense) These are God's words.

Exodus 30:34-38, here are the specific instructions for making the incense. 

This incense was not to be used or copied for any other purpose. It was Holy.

Exodus 30:7, "Aaron shall burn on it (the altar of incense) sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps...(8) and when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense..."

Aaron was a high priest. Burning incense was a privilege, it was an act restricted to those allowed to approach God. And only one person was permitted at any one time.

Exodus 30:9, "You shall not offer strange incense..."

Numbers 18, gives an outline of the duties of priests and levites. In verse 3 it says, "They (Aaron's sons) shall attend to your needs and all the needs of the tabernacle, but they shall not come near the articles of the sanctuary and the altar, lest they die -they and you also."

Leviticus 16:12, "(Aaron) shall take a censor full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with the hands full of sweet incense beaten fine and bring it inside the veil. 13, And he shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord,..."

Leviticus 10:1, Nadab and Abihu each took a censor. They put fire in it, they put incense in them. This was the job of the High Priest. They used their own censors and which incense? 

This was Aaron's job. The strange fire was created by Aaron's poor job training. Probably also by ambition in two young men, forgetting their job description. Notice in Leviticus 10:3, Moses speaks to Aaron and Aaron stays quiet. Aaron cannot complain because he was to blame for the strange fire and the death of two of his sons, he can't even grieve!

Aaron had rebelled against God in the making of the golden calf. Now his sons rebelled against him. (Exodus 32.)

Deuteronomy 9:12, "Then the Lord said to me (Moses) Arise go down quickly from here, for your people whom you brought out of Egypt have acted corruptly; they have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them..." this chapter is a review of Israel's rebellions in the wilderness.


The Lord God in chapters 1-9 of Leviticus had just given them instructions! They immediately, after they promised to follow God, disobeyed. The strange fire has very serious consequences. And so it is today. Even though we live in the age of Grace, we should always try to please God, and not invoke His anger.

We must be careful as we travel in our wilderness.

October 27 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mi Shad Ow Supporter Layman

Nadab & Abihu both accompanied Moses with over 70 others to a banquet with Jehovah on Sinai (Ex 24:9-11). If you go back to Lev 9:24 it states that "came a fire out from before the Lord". With both of these I think it is safe to say that pride corruped their thinking. Both are well aware of the rules of the Tabernacle, but after having dinner with Jehovah & being appointed to the ministry by Moses. 

Allowed pride to convence them that (1) They were in the presence of Jehovah therefore they had speacial favor from Jehovah. (2) They were chosen by Moses confirming they had special favor from Jehovah in there mind. 

Now the issue with the strange fire. As I hinted to Lev 9:24 the fire showing that a offering was acceptable. With pride corroupting there thinking wanting to be seen as special in the eyes of the congregation, one way to show this is to have prof of an accetable "burnt" offering. To make sure this will happen they made a fire (strange fire) to put on the alter. Jehovah will not share his glory (Isa 42:8) all of the focus of the people was to be toward Jehovah and no one eles was to be seen as speacial.

December 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

After offering unholy fire upon the altar (perhaps while drunk), Nadab and Abihu are consumed by a fire sent by the Lord. The strange fire was in the using of coals from somewhere other than the consumed offering raised area (i.e., "unapproved coals" Lev. 6:12-13; 16:12). That is, they were not taken from the brazen altar as prescribed in these verses in Lv 6 and Lv 16.

December 01 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the meaning of the strange fire in Leviticus 10:1?

The "strange fire" in Leviticus 10:1 refers to an unauthorised act of worship by Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, who offered incense with fire God had not commanded. The core meaning is that they approached God in a way that violated His explicit instructions, showing irreverence toward His holiness. 

What "strange fire" specifically means

Unauthorised fire source — The Hebrew word for "strange" means "foreign, unauthorised," or "profane." Many interpreters conclude that the men used fire not taken from the altar, even though God had commanded that incense be burned only with coals from the bronze altar (cf. Leviticus 16:12). 

Violation of worship instructions — Worship in the tabernacle was tightly regulated. By offering incense "which He had not commanded," they disregarded God's holiness and the pattern He established. 

Why was the act so serious?

Priests set the pattern for Israel's worship — Nadab and Abihu were among the first priests. Their actions risked establishing a precedent of casual or self‑styled worship. 

God had just revealed His glory — The tabernacle had been inaugurated, and God had lit the altar fire Himself (Leviticus 9:24). Unauthorised or unlicensed offering immediately afterwards showed disregard for this sacred moment. 

Holiness requires obedience —God's response ("I will be proved ") emphasises that those who draw near must honour Him through obedience, not improvisation. 

Conclusion

"Strange fire" symbolises any worship that departs from God's revealed will. The incident teaches that God's holiness is not compatible with human shortcuts, creativity, or irreverence in sacred matters. It also parallels later episodes (e.g., Acts 5) where God underscores the seriousness of approaching Him with integrity. 

How this story relates to worship practices today

The story of Nadab and Abihu's "strange fire" speaks directly to modern worship by highlighting a timeless tension: the human impulse to worship God creatively vs. God's call to worship Him faithfully. The passage isn't about incense or tabernacle rituals anymore — it's about the heart and posture behind worship.

The central issue in Leviticus 10 isn't the fire itself — it's the attitude behind it. Nadab and Abihu approached God casually, creatively, or carelessly in a moment that demanded reverence. 

That principle still matters.

Worship must be God‑centered, not self-centred.

Nadab and Abihu offered something God had not commanded.

Modern parallels include:

Worship that becomes performance rather than devotion

Leaders who treat worship as a platform rather than a calling

Churches that prioritise entertainment over spiritual formation

Individuals who approach worship casually, distracted, or flippantly

The story warns against worship shaped by personal preference rather than God's character.

Worship must be Spirit-led, not flesh-led

A modern "strange fire" can be:

Emotional manipulation

Manufactured hype

Using worship to stir feelings rather than to seek God

Confusing spiritual experience with spiritual obedience

The New Testament repeatedly warns against this:

Worship must be "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).

Worship is about relationship, not ritual.

Ironically, the story warns against both:

Empty ritual (doing things God didn't ask)

Empty creativity (doing things God didn't ask)

The heart of worship is an obedient relationship.

1 day ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report