The Merarites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites in ancient Israel, alongside the Gershonites and the Kohathites. They were descendants of Merari, the third son of Levi, as recorded in the genealogies of the tribes of Israel. The Merarites played a crucial role in the religious and ceremonial life of the Israelites, particularly in the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

Genealogy and Origin

The Merarites trace their lineage back to Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Genesis 46:11). The descendants of Merari, known as the Merarites, were thus part of the Levitical tribe, set apart for specific duties related to the worship and service of Yahweh.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Merarites were assigned specific responsibilities concerning the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness. According to the Book of Numbers, the Merarites were responsible for the care and transportation of the Tabernacle's structural components. This included the frames, crossbars, posts, and bases, as well as all the equipment related to these items (Numbers 3:36-37). Their duties were essential for the assembly and disassembly of the Tabernacle as the Israelites moved from place to place.

The Merarites were under the supervision of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest, as they carried out their tasks (Numbers 4:33). Their service was a vital part of maintaining the sanctity and functionality of the Tabernacle, ensuring that the Israelites could worship according to the instructions given by God.

Allocation of Cities

In the Promised Land, the Merarites, like other Levites, were not given a specific territory to inhabit. Instead, they were allocated cities within the territories of other tribes. The Book of Joshua details the cities given to the Merarites, which included twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun (Joshua 21:7, 34-40). These cities served as their dwelling places and provided for their sustenance, as the Levites did not have a land inheritance like the other tribes.

Role in the Temple

With the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem under King Solomon, the role of the Merarites evolved. They continued to serve in various capacities related to the maintenance and operation of the Temple. The chronicler notes that the Merarites, along with other Levites, were involved in the music ministry, gatekeeping, and other essential services within the Temple (1 Chronicles 6:31-47).

Significance

The Merarites exemplify the importance of service and obedience in the worship of God. Their dedication to their assigned tasks, often involving laborious and logistical challenges, highlights the collaborative effort required to maintain the sacred spaces of Israelite worship. The Merarites' role underscores the broader theme of the Levites as a tribe set apart for the service of God, emphasizing the value of each individual's contribution to the community's spiritual life.The descendants of Merari (Numbers 26:57). They with the Gershonites and the Kohathites had charge of the tabernacle, which they had to carry from place to place (Numbers 3:20, 33-37; 4:29-33). In the distribution of the oxen and waggons offered by the princes (Numbers 7), Moses gave twice as many to the Merarites (four waggons and eight oxen) as he gave to the Gershonites, because the latter had to carry only the lighter furniture of the tabernacle, such as the curtains, hangings, etc., while the former had to carry the heavier portion, as the boards, bars, sockets, pillars, etc., and consequently needed a greater supply of oxen and waggons. This is a coincidence illustrative of the truth of the narrative. Their place in marching and in the camp was on the north of the tabernacle. The Merarites afterwards took part with the other Levitical families in the various functions of their office (1 Chronicles 23:6, 21-23; 2 Chronicles 29:12, 13). Twelve cities with their suburbs were assigned to them (Joshua 21:7, 34-40). MERARITES

me-ra'-rits (merari, "bitter"): The descendants of MERARI (which see), son of Levi. The only place where this form of the word occurs is Numbers 26:57. Elsewhere they are always referred to as "sons of Merari."

4848. Merari -- descendant of Merari
... descendant of Merari. Transliteration: Merari Phonetic Spelling: (mer-aw-ree') Short
Definition: Merarites. ... of Merari NASB Word Usage Merarites (1). Merarites. ...
/hebrew/4848.htm - 6kMerarites (7 Occurrences)
... In the distribution of the oxen and waggons offered by the princes (Numbers 7),
Moses gave twice as many to the Merarites (four waggons and eight oxen) as he ...
/m/merarites.htm - 10k

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. ...
/m/merari.htm - 23k

Gershonites (17 Occurrences)
... Their function was thus more exalted than that of the Merarites, who carried the
boards, and less so than that of the Kohathites, who carried the most holy ...
/g/gershonites.htm - 14k

Gershon (23 Occurrences)
... Their function was thus more exalted than that of the Merarites, who carried the
boards, and less so than that of the Kohathites, who carried the most holy ...
/g/gershon.htm - 16k

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)
... The Kohathites formed one of the three divisions of the tribe of Levi; the other
two being the Gershonites and the Merarites (Numbers 3:17). ...
/k/kohathites.htm - 15k

Merar'ites (3 Occurrences)
Merar'ites. Merarites, Merar'ites. Merathaim . Multi-Version Concordance
Merar'ites (3 Occurrences). ... Merarites, Merar'ites. Merathaim . Reference Bible
/m/merar'ites.htm - 7k

Kohath (30 Occurrences)
... The Kohathites formed one of the three divisions of the tribe of Levi; the other
two being the Gershonites and the Merarites (Numbers 3:17). ...
/k/kohath.htm - 18k

Levite (43 Occurrences)
... The Gershonites pitched their tents on the west of the tabernacle (3:23), the
Kohathites on the south (3:29), the Merarites on the north (3:35), and the ...
/l/levite.htm - 26k

Zuriel (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Rock of God, chief of the family of the Merarites (Numbers
3:35) at the time of the Exodus. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZURIEL. ...
/z/zuriel.htm - 8k

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)
... of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites;
of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites...
/k/ko'hathites.htm - 11k

Who were the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the sons of Korah in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ithamar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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