Topical Encyclopedia The Merarites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites in ancient Israel, descending from Merari, the third son of Levi. As part of the Levitical tribe, the Merarites held a unique and significant role in the religious and ceremonial life of the Israelites, particularly in the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.Genealogy and Ancestry Merari was the youngest son of Levi, making the Merarites direct descendants of Jacob's third son. The genealogical records in the Bible list Merari's sons as Mahli and Mushi (Exodus 6:19). These two sons became the progenitors of the Merarite clans, which were counted among the Levites in the census taken during the Israelites' wilderness journey (Numbers 3:33). Duties and Responsibilities The Merarites were assigned specific duties related to the care and transportation of the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. According to Numbers 3:36-37, the Merarites were responsible for the frames of the Tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment. They were also tasked with the care of the surrounding courtyard, including its posts, bases, tent pegs, and ropes. The Merarites' duties were crucial for the mobility and stability of the Tabernacle, ensuring that the sacred structure could be dismantled, transported, and reassembled as the Israelites moved through the wilderness. Numbers 4:29-33 provides further details on the specific tasks assigned to the Merarites, emphasizing their role in maintaining the physical integrity of the Tabernacle. Allocation of Cities In the distribution of the Promised Land, the Merarites, like other Levites, did not receive a specific territory. Instead, they were allocated cities within the territories of other tribes, along with surrounding pasturelands for their livestock. Joshua 21:7, 34-40 lists the cities given to the Merarite clans, which included cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun, among others. This allocation ensured that the Merarites, along with other Levites, were dispersed throughout Israel, facilitating their service and teaching roles among the people. Role in the Temple With the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem under King Solomon, the roles of the Levites, including the Merarites, evolved. The Merarites continued to serve in various capacities related to the maintenance and operation of the Temple. Their responsibilities likely included tasks similar to those performed in the Tabernacle, adapted to the more permanent structure of the Temple. Significance The Merarites, as part of the Levitical priesthood, played a vital role in the religious life of Israel. Their service ensured the proper functioning of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, which were central to the worship and spiritual life of the nation. The Merarites' dedication to their duties exemplifies the broader Levitical commitment to serving God and the community, highlighting the importance of faithful service in the worship of the Lord. Biblical References · Exodus 6:19: "The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites according to their families." · Numbers 3:33-37: "To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200. The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail. They were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. The Merarites were appointed to take care of the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the work related to these items. They were also to take care of the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes." · Numbers 4:29-33: "As for the sons of Merari, you are to register them by their clans and families. You are to count them 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 with 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 each man is responsible to carry." · Joshua 21:7, 34-40: "The Merarite clans (the rest of the Levites) were given twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun... From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal, together with their pasturelands—four cities. From the tribe of Reuben they were given Bezer, Jahaz, Kedemoth, and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands—four cities. From the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead (a city of refuge for the manslayer), Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer, together with their pasturelands—four cities in all." Strong's Hebrew 4848. Merari -- descendant of Merari... of Merari NASB Word Usage Merarites (1). Merarites. From Mrariy; a Merarite (collectively), or decendants of Merari -- Merarites. see HEBREW Mrariy. ... /hebrew/4848.htm - 6k Thesaurus Merarite (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Merarite (8 Occurrences). Numbers 3:33 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the ... /m/merarite.htm - 8k Zaccur (10 Occurrences) Kish (18 Occurrences) Jokneam (5 Occurrences) Jahaz (8 Occurrences) Dimnah (1 Occurrence) Zechariah (55 Occurrences) Merar'i (32 Occurrences) Kattath (1 Occurrence) Kushaiah (1 Occurrence) Resources Who were the sons of Korah in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Merarite (8 Occurrences)Numbers 3:33 Numbers 3:35 Numbers 4:33 Numbers 4:45 Numbers 26:57 Joshua 21:40 1 Chronicles 9:14 1 Chronicles 26:10 Subtopics Related Terms |
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