Abihu: Father of Him; i.e., "worshipper of God", the second of the sons of
Aaron
(Exodus 6:23; Leviticus 3:2; Numbers 26:60; 1 Chronicles 6:3) Along with his three brothers
he was consecrated to the priest's office
(Exodus 28:1) With his father and
elder brother he accompanied the seventy elders part of the way up
the mount with Moses
(Exodus 24:1,9) On one occasion he and Nadab his
brother offered incense in their censers filled with "strange" (i.e.,
common) fire, i.e., not with fire taken from the great brazen altar
(Leviticus 6:9) etc., and for this offence they were struck dead, and were
taken out and buried without the camp
(Leviticus 10:1-11) comp.
(Numbers 3:4; 26:61; 1 Chronicles 24:2) It is probable that when they committed this
offence they were intoxicated, for immediately after is given the law
prohibiting the use of wine or strong drink to the priests.
