(1) יהוה spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they drew (too) close to the presence of יהוה. (2) יהוה said to Moses: Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come at will into the Shrine behind the curtain, in front of the cover that is upon the ark, lest he die; for I appear in the cloud over the cover.
Through those near to Me I show Myself holy,
And gain glory before all the people.”
And Aaron was silent.
Nadab and Abihu are killed in the Tabernacle, by James Tissot
Date between 1896 and 1900
A "fire of favor" came down consuming the offering on the altar on the eighth day of the inauguration of the desert sanctuary, and the people "sang glad song". In stark contrast to this joyous event, is the "unauthorized fire" of the sons of Aaron, the High Priest, who, in their spiritual frenzy, are consumed in a "counter-fire" from heaven.
In the painting, this tension of conflicting energies is reflected in the opposing colors. In contrast to striking greenish hues, the color of nature and of life, the strong reds and oranges suggest passion and life as they burn. As Nadav and Avihu offer their "strange" fire, a divine fire consumes them. The abstract suggestive figures are separate individuals, yet energetic lines pull them together; they become one with the fire rising upward as the flames dance between life and death in this continuum.
