Topical Encyclopedia
Merari is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known as the third son of Levi, the patriarch of the Levitical tribe. His lineage is crucial in understanding the organization and duties of the Levites, who were set apart for religious service in Israel. The name "Merari" is thought to mean "bitter" or "unhappy," possibly reflecting the hardships faced by his descendants.
Genealogy and FamilyMerari was born to Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah, and is mentioned alongside his brothers Gershon and Kohath. The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi, as recorded in
Genesis 46:11 and
1 Chronicles 6:19. These two sons became the heads of the Merarite clans, which played a vital role in the service of the Tabernacle.
Role and DutiesThe Merarites were assigned specific responsibilities related to the Tabernacle, as outlined in the Book of Numbers. According to
Numbers 3:36-37 , "The duties of the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes." This allocation of duties highlights the Merarites' role in the physical structure and transportation of the Tabernacle, emphasizing their importance in maintaining the sacred space where God dwelled among His people.
In
Numbers 4:29-33 , further instructions are given regarding the Merarites' service: "As for the sons of Merari, you are to number them by their clans and families, from thirty to fifty years old, everyone who can serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting. This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, and bases, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, and all the equipment for their service. You are to assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry."
Inheritance and CitiesThe Merarites, like other Levites, did not receive a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, they were given specific cities to dwell in, scattered throughout the tribes of Israel.
Joshua 21:7 states, "The Merarite clans, according to their families, received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun." This distribution ensured that the Levites, including the Merarites, were present throughout Israel to perform their religious duties and teach the Law.
Historical SignificanceThroughout Israel's history, the Merarites continued to serve in their designated roles. During the reign of King David, the Levites, including the Merarites, were organized for service in the Temple, as seen in
1 Chronicles 23:6 and 26:10. Their duties evolved with the transition from the Tabernacle to the Temple, but their commitment to the service of God remained steadfast.
The Merarites' dedication to their responsibilities exemplifies the broader Levitical commitment to serving God and His people. Their work, though often behind the scenes, was essential to the worship and religious life of Israel, ensuring that the sacred spaces were maintained according to divine instructions.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Meraribitter; to provoke
ATS Bible Dictionary
MerariThe youngest of Levi's three sons, born in Canaan, and head of a family of the Levites,Genesis 46:11;Exodus 6:16;Numbers 3:17;1 Chronicles 6:1. In the journey through the wilderness they were charged with the framework of the tabernacle, to carry from one place of encampment to another, and there set it up,Numbers 4:29-33; 7:8. Twelve cities were assigned to them beyond Jordan,Joshua 21:7,34-40.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Sad; bitter, the youngest son of Levi, born before the descent of Jacob into Egypt, and one of the seventy who accompanied him thither (
Genesis 46:11;
Exodus 6:16). He became the head of one of the great divisions of the Levites (
Exodus 6:19). (see
MERARITES.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MERARIme-ra'-ri (merari, "bitter"; Mararei):
(1) The 3rd son of Levi, his brothers, Gershon and Kohath, being always mentioned together with him (Genesis 46:11Exodus 6:16). He was among those 70 who went down to Egypt with Jacob (Genesis 46:8, 11; compare 46:26 andExodus 1:5).
(2) The family of Merari, descendants of above, and always (with one exception, for which see MERARITES) spoken of as "sons of Merari" in numerous references, such as1 Chronicles 6:1, 16, 19, 29, which only repeat without additional information the references to be found in the body of this article. We early find them divided into two families, the Mahli and Mushi (Exodus 6:19Numbers 3:17, 20, 33). At the exodus they numbered, under their chief Zuriel, 6,200, and they were assigned the north side of the tabernacle as a tenting-place (Numbers 3:34, 35), thus sharing in the honor of those who immediately surrounded the tabernacle-the south side being given to the Kohathites, the west to the Gershonites, and the east-toward the sun-rising-being reserved for Moses, Aaron and his sons (Numbers 3:23, 29, 35, 38). To the Merarites was entrusted the care of the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, vessels, pins and cords of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:36, 37;Numbers 4:29-33). They and the Gershonites were "under the hand" of Ithamar, son of Aaron, the sons of Gershon having charge of the softer material of the tabernacles-curtains, covers, hangings, etc. (Numbers 3:25, 26). When reckoned by the number fit for service, i.e. between 30 and 50 years, the sons of Merari were 3,200 strong (Numbers 4:42-45). Because of the weight of the material in their charge they were allowed 4 wagons and 8 oxen for carriage (Numbers 7:8). In marching, when the tabernacle was taken down, the standard of Judah went first (Numbers 10:14); then followed the Merarites bearing the tabernacle (Numbers 10:17), and after them came the standard of Reuben (Numbers 10:18). After the settlement in Canaan they had 12 cities assigned them out of Gad, Reuben and Zebulun (Joshua 21:7, 34-401 Chronicles 6:63, 77-81), just as the other two branches of Levi's family had their 12 cities respectively assigned out of the other tribes (Joshua 21). The names of these Merarite cities are given (loc. cit.), and among them is Ramoth-gilead, one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 21:38). It is evident from1 Chronicles 6:44-47;1 Chronicles 16:41;1 Chronicles 25:1, 3, 6, 9, 11, 15, 19, 21; compare 15:6, 17-19 that they had charge under Ethan or Jeduthun of the temple music in the service. In David's time Asaiah was their chief (1 Chronicles 15:6). Himself and 220 of the family helped David to bring up the Ark. David divided the Levites into courses among the Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites (1 Chronicles 23:6; compare 23:21-23; 24:26-30). The functions of certain Merarites are described in1 Chronicles 26:10-19. They also took part in cleansing the temple in Hezekiah's time (2 Chronicles 29:12) as well as in the days of Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:12), helping to repair the house of the Lord. Among the helpers of Ezra, too, we find some of them numbered (Ezra 8:18, 19). The family seems to have played a very important part in keeping steady and true such faithfulness as remained in Israel.
(3) The father of Judith (Judith 8:1; 16:7).
Henry Wallace
Strong's Hebrew
4847.Merari -- a son of Levi... 4846, 4847.
Merari. 4848 . a son of Levi. Transliteration:
Merari Phonetic
Spelling: (mer-aw-ree') Short Definition:
Merari. Word
...4848.Merari -- descendant ofMerari
... 4847, 4848.Merari. 4849 . descendant ofMerari. Transliteration:Merari
Phonetic Spelling: (mer-aw-ree') Short Definition: Merarites....
Library
Princely Service.
... and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service, and
four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons ofMerari, according unto...
The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... And thirdly, she bare to meMerari, in the fortieth year of my life; and since his
mother bare him with difficulty, she called himMerari, which meaneth my...
Heathen Examples Cry Shame Upon this "Infirmity of the Flesh. "
... will sit in judgment no longer an Isaac, our monogamist father; or a John, a noted
voluntary celibate [691] of Christ's; or a Judith, daughter ofMerari; or so...
Josiah
... And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah,
the Levites, of the sons ofMerari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the...
The Removal of Joseph's Father with all his Family, to Him, on...
... Reuben had four sons"Anoch, Phallu, Assaron, Charmi. Simeon had six"Jamuel, Jamin,
Avod, Jachin, Soar, Saul. Levi had three sons"Gersom, Caath,Merari....
Chapter xlvi
... and Shaul, the son of the Canaanitish woman. And the sons of Levi: Gershon,
Kohath andMerari. And the sons of Judah: Er and Onan...
Thesaurus
Merari (38 Occurrences)... He became the head of one of the great divisions of the Levites (Exodus 6:19).
(see MERARITES.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MERARI.
...Merar'i (32 Occurrences)
Merar'i.Merari, Merar'i. Merarite . Multi-Version Concordance Merar'i (32
Occurrences). Genesis 46:11 And the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, andMerari....
Merarites (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The descendants ofMerari (Numbers 26:57).... me-ra'-rits
(merari, "bitter"): The descendants ofMERARI (which see), son of Levi....
Merarite (8 Occurrences)
... Merarite (8 Occurrences). Numbers 3:33 OfMerari was the family of the Mahlites,
and the family of the Mushites; these are the families ofMerari. (See NIV)....
Mahli (11 Occurrences)
... ma'-li (machli, "a sick or weak one"): (1) A son ofMerari (Exodus 6:19, the King
James Version Mahali; Numbers 3:20), grandson of Levi and founder of the...
Mushi (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Receding, the second of the two sons ofMerari (Exodus
6:19; Numbers 3:20).... Exodus 6:19 The sons ofMerari: Mahli and Mushi....
Gershon (23 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:11 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, andMerari.... Numbers 3:17 These were
the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, and Kohath, andMerari....
Kohath (30 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:11 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, andMerari.... Numbers 3:17 These were
the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, and Kohath, andMerari....
Jaaziah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Comforted by Jehovah, a descendant ofMerari the Levite
(1 Chronicles 24:26, 27). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAAZIAH....
Ethan (9 Occurrences)
... He was of the tribe of Levi. (2.) A Levite of the family ofMerari, one of the
leaders of the temple music (1 Chronicles 6:44; 15:17, 19)....
Resources
Who were the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the sons of Korah in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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