Numbers 3:33
New International Version
To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans.

New Living Translation
The descendants of Merari were composed of the clans descended from Mahli and Mushi.

English Standard Version
To Merari belonged the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites: these are the clans of Merari.

Berean Standard Bible
From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans.

King James Bible
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.

New King James Version
From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.

New American Standard Bible
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.

NASB 1995
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.

NASB 1977
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.

Legacy Standard Bible
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.

Amplified Bible
Of Merari were the families of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these are the families of Merari.

Christian Standard Bible
The Mahlite clan and the Mushite clan came from Merari; these were the Merarite clans.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Mahlite clan and the Mushite clan came from Merari; these were the Merarite clans.

American Standard Version
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.

Contemporary English Version
The two Merari clans were the Mahlites and the Mushites,

English Revised Version
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To [Merari] belonged the families descended from Mahli and Mushi. These were the families descended from Merari.

Good News Translation
The clan of Merari was composed of the families of Mahli and Mushi.

International Standard Version
The families of Mahli and Mushi were descendants of Merari. As families of Merari,

Majority Standard Bible
From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans.

NET Bible
From Merari came the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these were the families of Merari.

New Heart English Bible
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites. These are the families of Merari.

Webster's Bible Translation
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.

World English Bible
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites. These are the families of Merari.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Of Merari—the family of the Mahlite and the family of the Mushite; these [are] the families of Merari.

Young's Literal Translation
Of Merari is the family of the Mahlite, and the family of the Mushite; these are the families of Merari.

Smith's Literal Translation
To Merari the families of the Mahlites, and the families of the Mushites: these they of the families of the Merari.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And of Merari are the families of the Moholites, and Musites, reckoned up by their names :

Catholic Public Domain Version
And truly, from Merari are the peoples of the Mahlites and Mushites, having been counted by their names,

New American Bible
To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the clans of Merari.

New Revised Standard Version
To Merari belonged the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites: these are the clans of Merari.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites; these are the families of Merari.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Marari’s family of Makhli and the family of Mushi: these are the families of Marari.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites; these are the families of Merari.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
To Merari belonged the family of Mooli, and the family of Musi: these are the families of Merari.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Merarites
33From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. 34The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200.…

Cross References
Exodus 6:16-19
These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years. / The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans. / The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. ...

1 Chronicles 6:1-3
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. / The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. / The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 23:6-23
Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. / The Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. / The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the first, Zetham, and Joel—three in all. ...

Exodus 2:1-2
Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months.

Exodus 6:20
And Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.

Numbers 26:57-59
Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari. / These were the families of the Levites: The Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Now Kohath was the father of Amram, / and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam.

1 Chronicles 6:16-19
The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. / These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. / The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. ...

1 Chronicles 23:12-13
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four in all. / The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Exodus 28:1
“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

Leviticus 8:2
“Take Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull of the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread,

Numbers 18:1-7
So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood. / But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. / And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. ...

1 Chronicles 9:14-16
From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a descendant of Merari; / Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; / Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

1 Chronicles 15:4-10
Then he gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites: / From the Kohathites, Uriel the chief and 120 of his relatives; / from the Merarites, Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives; ...

1 Chronicles 24:20-31
Now these were the rest of the descendants of Levi: From the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah. / As for Rehabiah, from his sons: The first was Isshiah. / From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.

Numbers 3:20
And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.

1 Chronicles 6:19
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.

1 Chronicles 23:21
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

Jump to Previous
Belonged Clans Families Family Mahlite Mahlites Merar'i Merarite Mushite Mushites
Jump to Next
Belonged Clans Families Family Mahlite Mahlites Merar'i Merarite Mushite Mushites
Numbers 3
1. The sons of Aaron
5. The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn
14. Are numbered by their families
21. The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites
27. Of the Kohathites
33. Of the Merarites
38. The place and charge of Moses and Aaron
40. The firstborn are freed by the Levites
44. The balances are refunded














From Merari
The name "Merari" is derived from the Hebrew root "marar," meaning "bitter" or "to be bitter." This name may reflect the hardships or challenges faced by this family line. In the broader context of Israel's journey, the Merarites were one of the three main Levitical families tasked with specific duties related to the Tabernacle. Their role was crucial in maintaining the sacred space where God's presence dwelled among His people. This highlights the theme of service and dedication, even amidst life's bitterness, as a path to fulfilling God's purposes.

came the clans
The term "clans" refers to the subdivisions within the tribe of Levi, emphasizing the organized structure of the Israelite community. Each clan had specific responsibilities, underscoring the importance of order and duty in worship and community life. This structure reflects God's design for His people, where each member has a unique role, contributing to the whole. It serves as a reminder of the body of Christ, where diverse gifts and callings work together for the common good.

of the Mahlites and the Mushites
The "Mahlites" and "Mushites" were sub-clans within the Merarite family. The name "Mahlites" is likely derived from "Mahli," which can mean "sick" or "weak," while "Mushites" comes from "Mushi," possibly meaning "drawn out" or "rescued." These names may reflect personal or historical narratives within these families. Despite any perceived weaknesses or past struggles, these clans were integral to the Levitical service, illustrating how God uses all people, regardless of their background, for His glory.

These were the Merarite clans
The phrase "Merarite clans" reiterates the identity and unity of these families within the tribe of Levi. The Merarites were responsible for the care and transportation of the Tabernacle's structural components, such as the frames, bars, pillars, and bases. This duty required strength and diligence, symbolizing the foundational support needed in any community of faith. Their service, though perhaps less visible than others, was vital to the worship and spiritual life of Israel, reminding us that every role in God's kingdom is significant and honored by Him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
From Merari came
לִמְרָרִ֕י (lim·rā·rî)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi

the clans
מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ (miš·pa·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

of the Mahlites
הַמַּחְלִ֔י (ham·maḥ·lî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4250: Mahlites -- descendant of Mahli

and Mushites;
הַמּוּשִׁ֑י (ham·mū·šî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4188: Mushites -- descendant of Mushi

these
אֵ֥לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

were the Merarite
מְרָרִֽי׃ (mə·rā·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi

clans.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת (miš·pə·ḥōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people


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OT Law: Numbers 3:33 Of Merari was the family (Nu Num.)
Numbers 3:32
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