Merari

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)

Sad; bitter, the youngest son of Levi, born before the descent of Jacob into Egypt, and one of the seventy who accompanied him thither (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16). He became the head of one of the great divisions of the Levites (Ex. 6:19). (See MERARITES.)

Scripture References

ISBE

me-ra'-ri (merari, "bitter"; Mararei): (1) The 3rd son of Levi, his brothers, Gershon and Kohath, being always mentioned together with him ( Ge 46:11 ; Ex 6:16 ). He was among those 70 who went down to Egypt with Jacob ( Ge 46:8 , 11 ; compare 46:26 and Ex 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 as 1Ch 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 ( Ex 6:19 ; Nu 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 ( Nu 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 ( Nu 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 ( Nu 3:36 , 37 ; 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. ( Nu 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 ( Nu 4:42-45 ). Because of the weight of the material in their charge they were allowed 4 wagons and 8 oxen for carriage ( Nu 7:8 ). In marching, when the tabernacle was taken down, the standard of Judah went first ( Nu 10:14 ); then followed the Merarites bearing the tabernacle ( Nu 10:17 ), and after them came the standard of Reuben ( Nu 10:18 ). After the settlement in Canaan they had 12 cities assigned them out of Gad, Reuben and Zebulun ( Jos 21:7 , 34-40 ; 1Ch 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 ( Jos 21 ). The names of these Merarite cities are given (loc. cit.), and among them is Ramoth-gilead, one of the cities of refuge ( Jos 21:38 ). It is evident from 1Ch 6:44-47 ; 16:41 ; 25:1 , 3 , 6 , 9 , 11 , 15 , 19 , 21 f; 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 ( 1Ch 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 ( 1Ch 23:6 ; compare 23:21-23; 24:26-30). The functions of certain Merarites are described in 1Ch 26:10-19 . They also took part in cleansing the temple in Hezekiah's time ( 2Ch 29:12 ) as well as in the days of Josiah ( 2Ch 34:12 ), helping to repair the house of the Lord. Among the helpers of Ezra, too, we find some of them numbered ( Ezr 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