Lexical Summary Merari: Merari Original Word: מְרָרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Merari From marar; bitter; Merari, an Israelite -- Merari. See also Mrariy. see HEBREW marar see HEBREW Mrariy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom marar Definition a son of Levi NASB Translation Merari (39). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. מְרָרִי proper name, masculine a son of Levi, and head of a chief Levitical family: ᵐ5 Μεραρ(ε)Ι, Μαραρει; — Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16,19; Numbers 3:17,20,33 (twice in verse); Numbers 3:35,36; Numbers 4:29,33,42,45; Numbers 7:8; Numbers 10:17; Numbers 26:57; Joshua 21:7; Joshua 21:34; Joshua 21:38 (all P), 1 Chronicles 5:27; 1 Chronicles 6:1; 1 Chronicles 6:4; 1 Chronicles 6:14; 1 Chronicles 6:29; 1 Chronicles 6:32; 1 Chronicles 6:48; 1 Chronicles 6:62; 1 Chronicles 9:14; 1 Chronicles 15:6,17; 1 Chronicles 23:6,21; 1 Chronicles 24:26,27; 1 Chronicles 26:10,19; 2Chronicles 29:12; 34:12; Ezra 8:19. Topical Lexicon Patriarchal Origin Merari is the youngest son of Levi and brother of Gershon and Kohath (Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16). Through his two sons, Mahli and Mushi (Exodus 6:19), he became the forefather of the Merarite branch of the Levites. His name is preserved in every major Levitical genealogy (Numbers 26:57; 1 Chronicles 6:1, 6:19, 23:6). Census and Camp Arrangement in the Wilderness At Sinai the Merarites were numbered separately from their Levitical brethren: 6,200 males one month and older (Numbers 3:34), and 3,200 males aged thirty to fifty who were assigned tabernacle service (Numbers 4:44-45). They camped on the north side of the tabernacle alongside Moses’ and Aaron’s tents (Numbers 3:35), under the leadership of Zuriel son of Abihail. Assigned Tabernacle Duties “That they may minister,” the Merarites were charged with the heaviest components of the sanctuary: “the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, its posts, and its bases, together with all their equipment” (Numbers 4:31-32). Because of this load they served under Ithamar son of Aaron rather than under Eleazar, just as the Gershonites did (Numbers 4:33). Transport Provisions In recognition of their burden, Moses “gave the sons of Merari four carts and eight oxen” (Numbers 7:8). When the camp broke, the Merarites marched under the standard of Judah, following the Gershonite and Kohathite divisions (Numbers 10:17). Their carts were the only wagons assigned to Levites, highlighting both the physical weight of their charge and the divine concern that every beam and socket reach its destination intact. Settlement in the Promised Land Joshua allotted twelve cities to the Merarite clans (Joshua 21:7). These included four in Reuben—Bezer, Jahaz, Kedemoth, and Mephaath; four in Gad—Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer; and four in Zebulun—Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal (Joshua 21:34-40). Thus their inheritance stretched from Transjordan to Galilee, positioning them to serve Israel from north to south. Role in Davidic Reforms David organized the Levites “according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari” (1 Chronicles 23:6). Merarites aged twenty and above were appointed “for the service of the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 23:24), supervising workmen, stonecutters, and craftsmen (1 Chronicles 23:28-32). Ethan (Jeduthun), a Merarite, served as chief musician (1 Chronicles 6:44; 25:1). Asaiah and Kish, both Merarites, helped convey the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:6; 15:25-26). Musical and Liturgical Contributions Merarite singers and instrumentalists stand beside the more famous Asaphites and Korahites. Ethan’s descendants led thanksgiving with cymbals (1 Chronicles 15:19; 16:41-42). In the temple they joined daily morning and evening praise and accompanied burnt offerings with “the instruments ordained by David” (2 Chronicles 29:26-28). Their inclusion demonstrates that every Levitical clan shared in the worship ministry, not merely the most prominent. Guardianship of Temple Treasures and Gates David appointed “the sons of Mahli… and the sons of Mushi” over storehouses and treasuries (1 Chronicles 26:10-19). Under Solomon, Zechariah the Merarite was “gatekeeper of the entrance of the tent of meeting” (1 Chronicles 9:19), maintaining the sanctity of worship. By Ezra’s day, Merarites still handled “the service of the Levites” (Ezra 8:18-19), and Nehemiah records them living near Ophel, charged with temple duties (Nehemiah 11:21). Participation in National Revivals When Hezekiah cleansed the temple, “Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah of the sons of Merari” led the Levites who removed defilement (2 Chronicles 29:12, 15-17). During Josiah’s Passover, “the Levites all who were skillful with instruments of music… from the sons of Merari, Ethan” helped restore proper worship (2 Chronicles 35:15). They were likewise “faithful over the work” when Josiah repaired the temple, supervised by Merarite brothers (2 Chronicles 34:12-13). Prophetic and Redemptive Patterns The Merarites’ load-bearing ministry prefigures the servanthood of Christ, who carried the full weight of the law and of humanity’s sin (Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 11:28-30). Their north-side station—opposite the entrance—symbolizes the hidden but essential labor that supports public worship. The carts and oxen picture divine provision for every God-given task, while their scattered inheritance foreshadows the New Covenant priesthood dispersed throughout the world (1 Peter 2:5). Merari’s line, though seldom spotlighted, embodies the truth that the Lord values faithfulness as much as visibility. Whether keeping gates, singing psalms, or hauling sockets across desert sands, the sons of Merari illustrate service that upholds the dwelling place of God among His people. Forms and Transliterations וּמְרָרִ֑י וּמְרָרִֽי׃ ומררי ומררי׃ לִמְרָרִ֕י למררי מְרָרִ֑י מְרָרִ֔י מְרָרִ֖י מְרָרִ֛י מְרָרִ֜י מְרָרִֽי׃ מְרָרִי֒ מְרָרִי֙ מְרָרִי֮ מררי מררי׃ lim·rā·rî limraRi limrārî mə·rā·rî meraRi mərārî ū·mə·rā·rî umeraRi ūmərārîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 46:11 HEB: גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן קְהָ֖ת וּמְרָרִֽי׃ NAS: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. KJV: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. INT: Gershon Kohath and Merari Exodus 6:16 Exodus 6:19 Numbers 3:17 Numbers 3:20 Numbers 3:33 Numbers 3:33 Numbers 3:35 Numbers 3:36 Numbers 4:29 Numbers 4:33 Numbers 4:42 Numbers 4:45 Numbers 7:8 Numbers 10:17 Numbers 26:57 Joshua 21:7 Joshua 21:34 Joshua 21:40 1 Chronicles 6:1 1 Chronicles 6:16 1 Chronicles 6:19 1 Chronicles 6:29 1 Chronicles 6:44 1 Chronicles 6:47 39 Occurrences |
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