Encyclopedia entry
Merarites
The descendants of Merari (Num. 26:57). They with the Gershonites and the Kohathites had charge of the tabernacle, which they had to carry from place to place (Num. 3:20, 33-37; 4:29-33). In the distribution of the oxen and waggons offered by the princes (Num. 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 Chr. 23:6, 21-23; 2 Chr. 29:12, 13). Twelve cities with their suburbs were assigned to them (Josh. 21:7, 34-40).
In the Bible
10
Verses where Merarites is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 6:63
The Merarites, according to their clans, were allotted twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
- 1 Chronicles 6:77
The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands.
- 1 Chronicles 15:6
from the Merarites, Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives;
- 1 Chronicles 15:17
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;
- 2 Chronicles 29:12
Then the Levites set to work: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershonites;
- Numbers 3:35
The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.
+4 more verses naming Merarites.
Scripture on Merarites
10
Entries that reference Merarites
5
Merarites references
3
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.