Lexical Summary Tsuriel: Tsuriel Original Word: צוּרִיאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zuriel From tsuwr and 'el; rock of God; Tsuriel, an Israelite -- Zuriel. see HEBREW tsuwr see HEBREW 'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsur and el Definition "my rock is El," a Levite NASB Translation Zuriel (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs צוּרִיאֵל proper name, masculine (my rock is El); — a Levite Numbers 3:35, Σουριηλ. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Numbers 3:35: “And the leader of the Merarite families was Zuriel son of Abihail. They were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.” Historical Setting Zuriel appears during Israel’s wilderness period as Moses records the census and organization of the Levites. His single mention in Scripture places him at Sinai, shortly after the giving of the Law, when the tribes received divinely appointed positions around the tabernacle. The narrative highlights Yahweh’s meticulous ordering of worship and community life. Role Among the Levites Zuriel headed the Merarite clan, the division assigned to transport and maintain the heaviest components of the tabernacle—its frames, bars, pillars, bases, pegs, and cords (Numbers 3:36–37). While Kohathites handled sacred furniture and Gershonites cared for coverings, Merarites bore structural burdens, illustrating complementary service within one priestly body. As chief, Zuriel would have coordinated logistics, ensured ritual purity, and safeguarded sacred property during Israel’s journeys. Position in the Camp God placed Zuriel’s Merarites on the north side, directly opposite the Gershonites on the west and adjacent to Dan’s tribal encampment. This symmetry reinforced corporate holiness: the tabernacle stood at the center, Levites formed an inner ring, and twelve tribes surrounded them. Zuriel’s placement on the northern flank underscored strategic balance and constant vigilance over the sanctuary. Spiritual Significance 1. Dependence on God as Rock. The name proclaims that security and stability derive from the LORD, not human strength. Intertextual Connections • Later Merarite settlements in Joshua 21:7 and 1 Chronicles 6:63 trace the tribe’s ongoing Levitical influence, rooted in Zuriel’s foundational leadership. Lessons for Today Believers are reminded that every vocation within the body of Christ—whether prominent or hidden—contributes to the preservation of true worship. Like Zuriel, those who shoulder heavy, unseen responsibilities participate in God’s unfolding redemptive plan, and their labor, though sparsely recorded on earth, is fully chronicled in heaven. Forms and Transliterations צוּרִיאֵ֖ל צוריאל ṣū·rî·’êl ṣūrî’êl tzuriElLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 3:35 HEB: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת מְרָרִ֔י צוּרִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ אֲבִיחָ֑יִל NAS: of Merari [was] Zuriel the son KJV: of Merari [was] Zuriel the son INT: of the families of Merari Zuriel the son of Abihail 1 Occurrence |
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