NADAV AND AVIHU, AHARON'S SONS, EACH TOOK HIS FIRE PAN, PUT FIRE AND THEN INCENSE ON IT. THEY OFFERED BEFORE G-D A STRANGE FIRE THAT G-D HAD NOT COMMANDED THEM. FIRE CAME FORTH FROM BEFORE G-D AND CONSUMED THEM. THEY DIED BEFORE G-D (Vayikra 10:1-2).
"A strange fire that G-d had not commanded" is redundant. If it was strange, surely G-d had not commanded it!
"Strange fire" should be understood figuratively as referring to the enthusiasm that burned in the hearts of Nadav and Avihu. They were inspired by the Divine Glory revealed to the people after the Kohanim offered korbanos for the first time. They felt that legal restrictions did not apply during this moment of Divine favor. Nadav and Avihu were inspired by love of G-d to bring an unauthorized incense offering. This parsha is a warning about the dangers of misguided love which motivates worship inconsistent with G-d's will (Netziv).
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