Lexical Summary Merari: Merarites Original Word: מְרָרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Merarites From Mrariy; a Merarite (collectively), or decendants of Merari -- Merarites. see HEBREW Mrariy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Merari Definition desc. of Merari NASB Translation Merarites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מְרָרִי adjective, of a people of above, only with article as substantive collective ׳הַמּ Numbers 26:57. II. מרר (√ of following; perhaps (so Thes) compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Lineage and Clan Identity The Merarites are the descendants of Merari, the youngest son of Levi. Through his sons Mahli and Mushi (Numbers 3:20) and the later line of Jaaziah (1 Chronicles 24:26-30), the clan formed three branches. Although the specific Hebrew term מְרָרִי (Strong’s 4848) appears only once, Scripture consistently treats the “sons of Merari” as one of the three great Levitical families alongside Gershon and Kohath. Place in the Wilderness Census The first census recorded 6,200 Merarite males one month old and upward (Numbers 3:33-34); the second listed 3,200 men between thirty and fifty, the age for sanctuary duty (Numbers 4:42-45). “These were the Levites counted according to their clans: of Merari, the clan of the Merarites” (Numbers 26:57). Led by Zuriel son of Abihail, they camped on the north side of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:35). Assigned Tabernacle Responsibilities Merarites cared for the physical framework of the sanctuary (Numbers 3:36-37; 4:29-32): Because their load was the heaviest, Moses gave them “four carts and eight oxen” (Numbers 7:8) under Ithamar’s oversight. Their ministry highlights the necessity of divinely ordered support for God’s dwelling among His people. Position in the Camp and on the March Stationed north of the tabernacle, the clan broke camp after the Gershonites, moving before the tribes that followed the sanctuary pieces (Numbers 10:17, 21). Their ordered procession contributed to Israel’s orderly worship of the Lord. Levitical Cities and Inheritance Without territorial land, the Merarites received twelve cities (Joshua 21:34-40; 1 Chronicles 6:63, 77-81): From Zebulun—Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, Nahalal From Reuben—Bezer, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath From Gad—Ramoth-gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, Jazer Strategically placed on both sides of the Jordan, they ministered among Israel’s northern and Transjordanian tribes. Service in Temple Worship David organized the Merarites for temple duties (1 Chronicles 23:6, 21-23). Ethan (Jeduthun), a leading musician, came from this clan (1 Chronicles 6:44; 25:1-6). Thus the carriers of beams became leaders of praise, sounding cymbals, lyres, and harps as Israel sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His loving devotion endures forever.” Participation in National Reforms • Hezekiah’s cleansing of the temple: “From the sons of Merari: Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel” (2 Chronicles 29:12). Prophetic and Typological Notes Bearing the weight of the sanctuary foreshadows Christ, who bears the weight of the Law for His people (Matthew 11:29-30). The clan’s care for the tabernacle’s structure anticipates the church, “a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21), built on the apostolic foundation with Christ as the cornerstone. Key References Numbers 3:33-37; 4:29-33, 42-45; 7:8; 10:17-21; 26:57 1 Chronicles 6:44; 23:6-23; 24:26-30 2 Chronicles 29:12; 34:12-13 Forms and Transliterations הַמְּרָרִֽי׃ המררי׃ ham·mə·rā·rî hammeraRi hammərārîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:57 HEB: לִמְרָרִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמְּרָרִֽי׃ NAS: the family of the Merarites. KJV: the family of the Merarites. INT: of Merari the family of the Merarites 1 Occurrence |
    |
pass by, go, sometimes flow, 
cause to flow, 
water-course).