"They offered unauthorized fire before the LORD."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Abihu Meaning in the Bible
Abihu
boy
Abihu means "he is my father," a Hebrew name. Abihu was a son of Aaron; Leviticus 10:1 records that he and Nadab "offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not," and fire from the LORD consumed them.
Is Abihu in the Bible?
Yes — Abihu appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Pronunciation:/ah-BY-hoo/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHe is my father
What does Abihu mean?
Abihu is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "He is my father". Aaron's son who was consumed by fire for offering unauthorized worship before the LORD.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
Editor’s reflection
'He is my father' — a name of belonging, on a man who died for offering strange fire.
Abihu (Hebrew אֲבִיהוּא) breaks down as av, 'father,' plus hu, 'he': 'he is my father,' understood as a confession about God rather than a family note. It sits in the same family as Abijah and Abihud and is one of the clearest theophoric-style names among the priestly line.
Abihu was the second son of Aaron, and he was given extraordinary access. He went up the mountain with Moses, Aaron, Nadab and seventy elders and 'saw the God of Israel,' and they 'did eat and drink' (Exodus 24:9-11). He was consecrated as a priest in the same ceremony as his father.
Then Leviticus 10 records the collapse: 'Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein... and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not' (Leviticus 10:1). Fire went out from the LORD and consumed them. The following verses forbid priests wine or strong drink when they go into the tabernacle, which many readers take as a hint at what went wrong.
The name is almost never used today, and the story is the reason. It is worth knowing anyway: a good name and real access to God are not the same as obedience, and Scripture makes that point at the cost of Aaron's sons.
“And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.”
What does Abihu mean in the Bible?
Abihu means "He is my father" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Aaron's son who was consumed by fire for offering unauthorized worship before the LORD.
Where does Abihu appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Abihu is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Leviticus 10:1. Each verse is quoted in full below.
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
What are the variants and nicknames of Abihu?
Abihu has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Abihu?
Abihu is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Abihu?
A solemn warning about approaching God with reverence and obedience.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Commentary
Hebrews 12:6 Commentary
In-depth study • Divine Discipline
Verses About
Bible Verses About Fatherhood
10 curated KJV verses
Verses About
Bible Verses About God as Father
10 curated KJV verses
Devotional
Hebrews 11:1 — Meaning & Devotional
Faith
Devotional
Hebrews 13:5 — Meaning & Devotional
Contentment
Commentary
Hebrews 4:12 Commentary
In-depth study • Scripture's Power
What names are related to Abihu?
Names like Abihu
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "He is my father" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Abihu
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Abihu
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Abihu name meaning: frequently asked questions
Abihu was the second son of Aaron and a consecrated priest. With his brother Nadab he offered 'strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not,' and both were consumed by fire (Leviticus 10:1-2). His name means 'he is my father.'
Yes — Abihu appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Abihu means "He is my father." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Abihu
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Abihu?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Abihu?
You can read every verse where Abihu appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.