Who was Nadab in the Bible?
Priest, during the years in Egypt and the wilderness
Nadab was the eldest son of Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel, and his wife Elisheba (Exo.6.23). Nadab appears in 14 verses across 5 books of the Bible.
The Bible uses the name Nadab for 2 different people. All 2 are below, each with its own passages.
Nadab, son of Aaron
Nadab was the eldest son of Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel, and his wife Elisheba (Exo.6.23). Along with his brothers Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, Nadab was consecrated as a priest to serve in the Tabernacle (Exo.28.1). Nadab, along with his brother Abihu and seventy elders of Israel, accompanied Moses partway up Mount Sinai when the Lord made His covenant with the people (Exo.24.1,9). There, they saw a manifestation of God's presence and ate and drank in His presence. However, Nadab and Abihu later committed a grave offense by offering unauthorized fire (incense) before the Lord, which He had not commanded them to do (Lev.10.1). As a result, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord (Lev.10.2; Num.3.4; 26.61). This tragic event served as a sobering reminder to the Israelites of the importance of following God's commands precisely, especially in matters related to worship and the priesthood. After their death, Eleazar and Ithamar took over their priestly duties under the direction of their father, Aaron (Num.3.4; 1Ch.24.2). The story of Nadab and Abihu underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness with which He regards the proper worship and service of His people. It also highlights the importance of obedience and the consequences of disregarding God's clear instructions.
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Nadab, son of Jeroboam
Nadab was the son of Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. He succeeded his father as king and reigned over Israel for two years (1Ki.15.25). Like his father, Nadab did evil in the sight of the Lord, following in the ways of Jeroboam and leading the people of Israel into sin (1Ki.15.26). This likely refers to the continuation of the idolatrous practices instituted by Jeroboam, such as the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1Ki.12.28-33). During Nadab's reign, he went to war against the Philistines and besieged the town of Gibbethon (1Ki.15.27). While he was there, Baasha, a man from the tribe of Issachar, conspired against him and assassinated him (1Ki.15.27). Baasha then succeeded Nadab as king of Israel. After Nadab's death, Baasha killed all the members of Jeroboam's household, fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite against Jeroboam's dynasty (1Ki.14.10-11; 15.29). This act was a judgment against the house of Jeroboam for the sins they had committed and the idolatry they had promoted in Israel. Nadab's brief reign and his assassination demonstrate the instability and turmoil that characterized the northern kingdom of Israel, as well as the consequences of disobedience to God and the continuation of idolatrous practices.
4 verses: 1 Kings 14:20, 1 Kings 15:25, 1 Kings 15:27, 1 Kings 15:31
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Where does Nadab appear in the Bible?
Nadab is referenced in 14 verses across 5 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- 1 Chronicles 24:1
- 1 Chronicles 24:2
- Exodus 24:1
- Exodus 24:9
- Exodus 28:1
- Leviticus 10:1
- Numbers 3:2
- Numbers 3:4
- Numbers 26:60
- Numbers 26:61
Showing the first 10 of 14.
Open all 14 references in ProtosWhat else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Nadab.
Common questions
How many people in the Bible are called Nadab?
Nadab refers to 2 different people in the Bible: Nadab, son of Aaron; Nadab, son of Jeroboam.
How many times does the Bible mention Nadab?
Nadab appears in 14 verses across 5 books, most often in Numbers, which accounts for 4 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Nadab?
Numbers, 1 Kings, Exodus, 1 Chronicles, Leviticus.
Where can I read every verse about Nadab?
This page lists 10 of them. Protos carries all 14, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.
