Anisha Riggs
In the Bible, strange incense refers to an offering made by two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, which was rejected by God. The exact nature of the strange incense is not known, but it is believed to be unauthorized, foreign, or profane. God found the offering so offensive that he consumed the two men with fire. This story is mentioned in Leviticus and Exodus and serves as a warning against corrupt praying and willful disobedience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense mentioned in | God's Word |
| Types of incense | Pure, strange |
| Who burned the strange incense? | Two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu |
| Consequence | Consumed by fire from the Lord |
| Hebrew meaning of "strange" | Unauthorized, foreign, or profane |
| Reason for rejection | Hinted at pagan practices |
| God's command | Only pure incense to be offered on the golden altar |
| Death penalty | Applicable for offering strange incense to God |
| God's intention | To show his heart against corrupt praying |
| Strange incense | Associated with adulterers and their strange prayers |
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What You'll Learn
God's rejection of strange incense
However, two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, disobeyed God's command. They offered strange incense, also referred to as strange fire, on the altar. This act of disobedience was considered a form of corrupt praying and was deeply offensive to God. As a result, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed Nadab and Abihu, resulting in their deaths.
The Hebrew word translated as "strange" in this context means "unauthorized, foreign, or profane." This suggests that the incense burned by Aaron's sons was not in accordance with the specific instructions given by God. The exact nature of the strange fire is not known, but it may have involved using fire of their own making rather than taking fire from the altar, as specified elsewhere in the Bible.
Additionally, the rejection of strange incense also extended to other forms of offerings. God prohibited burnt offerings, meal offerings, and drink offerings on the altar of incense, as these were associated with pagan practices. The LORD made clear that He did not want any association with pagan worship and that the altar of incense was to be used only for its designated purpose.
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The death penalty for those who offer strange incense
In the Bible, God commands that only pure incense be offered to Him on the golden altar. This is mentioned in Exodus 30:3–9:
> "You shall overlay it with pure gold…And you shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you. And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps. And when Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations. You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and you shall not pour out a libation on it."
The Hebrew word translated as "strange" means "unauthorized, foreign, or profane". God is very clear that He does not want anything that hints at pagan practices to be associated with worshipping Him. The exact nature of the "strange fire" is not known, but it is believed that it could be related to the fire being unauthorized, possibly made by the priests themselves rather than taking fire from the altar, as specified in Leviticus 16:12.
God's command regarding strange incense is closely related to His desire to show His heart against corrupt praying. He wants to demonstrate the seriousness of this matter in His sight. This is evident in the story of Nadab and Abihu, the two sons of Aaron, who offered strange incense before the Lord and were consumed by fire (Leviticus 10:1–3). Moses explains to Aaron that God's harsh punishment was a display of His holiness and desire to be honoured (Leviticus 10:3).
The prohibition on strange incense is part of God's distinction between the holy and the profane. It is related to His rejection of adulterers and those who have become comfortable with sin. God's discipline, including the death penalty for disobedience, is an expression of His love, seeking to correct and restore His people to a right relationship with Him.
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The story of Nadab and Abihu
Strange incense refers to an incident involving Nadab and Abihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron, who was the first Levite priest. The story of Nadab and Abihu is told in Leviticus 10 and Exodus 24.
Nadab and Abihu were freshly anointed priests who had seen God and walked with Him. They were aware of God's requirements and the instructions He had given. However, they chose to act in deliberate disobedience. They took censers, put fire and incense in them, and offered this unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them to do. This was seen as a foreign or unholy fire, and a presumptuous intrusion into a sacred role not rightfully theirs.
Their actions were a serious violation of the duties reserved for their father, the high priest. They performed the incense service without authorization, collaborated in a task reserved for the high priest, and assumed the responsibility of lighting the fire offering themselves. In doing so, they demonstrated irreverence and a lack of faith, which was especially grievous for those in priestly service.
As a result of their actions, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed Nadab and Abihu, and they died before Him. Moses explained to Aaron that God had acted to show that He will be treated as holy and honored. The death of Nadab and Abihu was tragic yet deserved, and while mourning was prohibited, the community as a whole was allowed to grieve. Moses also instructed how their bodies were to be handled, emphasizing the need to prevent any further defilement or disruption to God's service.
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The meaning of strange
The concept of "strange incense" is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in Exodus 30:3–9 and Leviticus 10:1–3. In these passages, God commands that only pure incense be offered to Him on the golden altar, and prohibits the burning of "strange incense". The Hebrew word translated as "strange" can mean “unauthorized, foreign, or profane”.
The story of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, is often cited in relation to strange incense. In the Bible, these two sons of Aaron offered strange incense before the Lord, which He had not commanded them to do. As a result, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died. This story is used to illustrate God's seriousness when it comes to His honor and glory, as well as His displeasure towards disobedience and corrupt praying.
The offering of strange incense is often associated with adulterers, idolaters, and those who have become aliens or outsiders to God due to pride and unforsaken sin. God singles out adulterers as those whose prayers and tears are an abomination to Him. The use of strange incense is also connected to a permissive attitude towards divorce and a failure to distinguish between the holy and the profane.
The prohibition against strange incense may have been given to prevent the use of incense designed for pagan use in the worship of the Lord, as well as to deter priests from substituting cheaper ingredients or "skimming" from what is offered. The altar of incense was considered most holy to the Lord, and it was to be used only for its designated purpose. Atonement needed to be made for the altar annually, and it was purified with blood from a sin offering.
In summary, the meaning of "strange" in the context of incense refers to that which is unauthorized, foreign, or profane in the eyes of God. It carries a sense of disobedience, corruption, and alienation from God, and it is something that He finds offensive and will not tolerate in His worship.
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God's intolerance of pagan practices
Strange incense refers to the unauthorised or profane offering of incense to God. In the Old Testament, God expresses his intolerance of pagan practices, specifically those that deviate from his commands. The story of Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, in Leviticus 10:1–3, exemplifies this. Nadab and Abihu offered strange incense, or "strange fire," before the Lord, which resulted in their deaths. This incident highlights God's intolerance of corrupt praying and his expectation of holiness and honour from those who worship him.
The concept of "strange incense" extends beyond the act of burning incense itself. It symbolises disobedience, pride, and unforsaken sin. God's intolerance of pagan practices is further emphasised in his rejection of adulterers, whom he no longer hears. Their incense, prayers, and tears are described as an abomination. God's intolerance is not limited to specific rituals but also extends to the attitude and heart of the worshipper.
In the New Testament, Acts 5:1–11 presents a similar narrative of God's intolerance of pagan practices. A husband and wife lie to Peter about land given to the church, resulting in their physical death. This incident underscores the importance of honesty and reverence in Christian worship, aligning with God's intolerance of corrupt practices.
Pagan practices, as described by Pagans themselves, often involve worshipping multiple gods, embracing nature, and celebrating life's pleasures. This stands in contrast to the austerity often associated with the Church, which some Pagans view as suppressive of joy and pleasure. Pagans may struggle with the term "worship" due to negative associations with Christian theology, instead emphasising their relationship with the gods through prayer, meditation, and offerings.
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Frequently asked questions
Strange incense is a type of incense that is not pure and is therefore forbidden by God.
God commanded that only pure incense be offered to Him on the golden altar. In the Old Testament, God consumed the two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, with fire for burning strange incense.
God was trying to show how serious the matter of corrupt praying is in His sight. God also wanted to show that He is serious when it comes to His honour and glory.
The Hebrew word translated "strange" means "unauthorized, foreign, or profane."
