ABIHU, the Son of Aaron the High-Priest, and Elisheba, was consumed together with his Brother Nadab, by Fire sent from God1, because he had offer’d Incense with strange Fire instead of taking it from the Altar of Burnt-offerings. This Misfortune happen’d within eight Days after the Consecration of Aaron and his Sons, and the Dedication of the Tabernacle in the Year of the World 2514, before Jesus Christ 1486, before the vulgar Æra 1490. Many Commentators are of Opinion1, that Nadab and Abihu were overtaken with Wine, and so forgot to take the sacred Fire in their Censers. This Conjecture is founded on the Command of God immediately after deliver’d to the Priests, forbidding them the Use of Wine all the Time they should be imploy’d in the Service of the Temple. Some Interpreters tell us, that these two Brothers, who were punished by God so severely for this Fault, did not herein commit any mortal Sin2, but that God in this World inflicted on them the whole Penalty of their Neglect, in order to procure eternal Salvation for them in the other, and exhibit an Example in their Persons of that Exactness and Fidelity wherewith God requires his Ministers to serve him.
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