Nadab and Abihu Attempt to Fill a Gap: Law and Narrative in Leviticus 10.1-7

Abstract

The narrative concerning Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10 contains many ‘gaps’ that complicate the process of interpretation. The story demonstrates that filling in gaps is always necessary, never complete, and sometimes quite dangerous. When one paysclose attention to the gaps by refusing to close them quickly or easily, it is revealed that they exist for Nadab and Abihu themselves. There are many things concerning which God has made no command, but sometimes one must fill in these gaps. This has important implications for the study of law and narrative. The law functions as the priests’ attempt to stand safely before ‘the holy’. In addition, the narrative fills gaps in the knowledge of God’s requirements, which is always provisional and limited.