The second son of Aaron, consecrated to the priesthood with his three brethren, Exodus 28:21; but consumed shortly after by fire from the Lord, with Nadab his brother, for burning incense with common fire instead of that kept perpetually on the altar of burnt-offering, Leviticus 10:1-2 16:12 Numbers 16:46. As this is immediately followed by the prohibition of wine to the priests when ministering in the tabernacle, it is not improbable that Nadab and Abihu were intoxicated when thus transgressing. Their death is a solemn warning not to presume to worship God except with incense kindled at the one altar which Christ hath sanctified, Hebrews 10:10-14. It is a dangerous thing, in the service of God, to decline from his own institutions. We have to do with a God who is wise to prescribe his own worship, his to require what he has prescribed, and powerful to avenge what he has not prescribed.

Father of Him; i.e., "worshipper of God", the second of the sons of Aaron (Exodus 6:23; Numbers 3:2; 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; Compare 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.

(he (God) is my father ), the second son, (Numbers 3:2) of Aaron by Elisheba. (Exodus 6:23) Being, together with his elder brother Nadab, guilty of offering strange fire to the lord, he was consumed by fire from heaven. (Leviticus 10:1,2)