Abihu (Hebrew 'Abihû 'my father is He'; Septuagint: 'Abioû)

ABIU (Heb. ’Abihû “my father is He”; Septuagint: ’Abioû8). — Second-born of Aronne (Ex. 6:23), he followed Mosè onto Sinai with Aronne and the 70 elders (Ex. 24:1–9). A. and his three brothers were the first Israelite priests. While they were assisting their father Aronne, the high priest, in the first sacrifices, on the eighth day of his and their consecration (Lev. 8–9), A. and his brother Nadab placed in the censer, to offer incense to the Lord, “strange” or profane fire—that is, fire not taken from the altar, as prescribed (Ex. 30:9). Struck dead for this sacrilege by the “fire of Jahweh” (probably issuing from the Holy of Holies), they were buried outside the encampment, in their linen garments. While Aronne remained silent, Mosè pointed out the terrible warning (Lev. 10:1–5). The people, but not the priests, were permitted to take part in the burial and to mourn.

Francesco Spadafora