[This piece has been featured in IAO: Ophite Iconography, p.121.]
The rarely depicted story of Nadab and Abihu is told in Leviticus 10. They were Aaron’s sons, ordained as priests, and were killed by God after offering “strange fire” in the altar. After this, Aaron is forbidden to mourn them or perform any ritual related to their burial.
There are two possible, radically different interpretations for this story. One is that they had committed the ultimate sin, that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which cannot be forgiven (Mark 3:29), their unauthorized fire was a direct attack against the jealous god, exposing his nature as a Demiurge, and he could not let them live.
The other is that they attained perfect knowledge of the transcendental godhead, and thus, like Elijah and Enoch, ascended in fire. Did he not say that no man shall see him and live? And they did so through unauthorized, secret means.
This story is usually interpreted as the punishment for the breaking of priestly rules, in the immediate presence of God. It is understood that they lit their own fires, instead of taking them from the already burning sacred incense to kindle them. And thus, their fire was foreign or unholy. They blurred the distinction between sacred and profane, and perhaps we could understand this strange fire as their own spirits, being too daring.
*Sales protocol for these original pieces will be unique in that, after a purchase is made on our website, we will personally reach out to each customer to arrange a customized shipping plan, ensuring both parties are aligned on what can and cannot be done to guarantee safe and smooth delivery of the items.
[This piece has been featured in IAO: Ophite Iconography, p.121.]
The rarely depicted story of Nadab and Abihu is told in Leviticus 10. They were Aaron’s sons, ordained as priests, and were killed by God after offering “strange fire” in the altar. After this, Aaron is forbidden to mourn them or perform any ritual related to their burial.
There are two possible, radically different interpretations for this story. One is that they had committed the ultimate sin, that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which cannot be forgiven (Mark 3:29), their unauthorized fire was a direct attack against the jealous god, exposing his nature as a Demiurge, and he could not let them live.
The other is that they attained perfect knowledge of the transcendental godhead, and thus, like Elijah and Enoch, ascended in fire. Did he not say that no man shall see him and live? And they did so through unauthorized, secret means.
This story is usually interpreted as the punishment for the breaking of priestly rules, in the immediate presence of God. It is understood that they lit their own fires, instead of taking them from the already burning sacred incense to kindle them. And thus, their fire was foreign or unholy. They blurred the distinction between sacred and profane, and perhaps we could understand this strange fire as their own spirits, being too daring.
*Sales protocol for these original pieces will be unique in that, after a purchase is made on our website, we will personally reach out to each customer to arrange a customized shipping plan, ensuring both parties are aligned on what can and cannot be done to guarantee safe and smooth delivery of the items.
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