Merar'i is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known as one of the three sons of Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah. The name "Merar'i" is believed to mean "bitter" or "unhappy," which may reflect the hardships faced by his descendants. Merar'i's lineage is crucial in the context of the Levitical duties and the organization of the Israelite camp during their wilderness journey.

Genealogy and Family

Merar'i was born to Levi, making him a grandson of Jacob, also known as Israel. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merar'i (Genesis 46:11). Merar'i's descendants formed one of the three main divisions of the Levites, alongside the Gershonites and the Kohathites. The Merarites, as they were known, played a vital role in the religious and ceremonial life of Israel.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Merarites were assigned specific duties related to the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place for the presence of God during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. According to Numbers 3:36-37 , "The duties of the sons of Merar'i were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service connected with these items." This responsibility was crucial for the assembly, disassembly, and transportation of the Tabernacle, ensuring that the sacred space was properly maintained and moved according to God's instructions.

In Numbers 4:29-33 , further details are provided about the Merarites' tasks: "As for the sons of Merar'i, you are to register them by their clans and families, from thirty to fifty years old, everyone who can serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting. This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, and bases, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use. You are to assign by name the items that each man is responsible to carry."

Inheritance and Cities

The Merarites, like other Levites, did not receive a territorial inheritance in the Promised Land. Instead, they were given specific cities to dwell in, scattered throughout the tribes of Israel. This arrangement allowed them to fulfill their priestly duties and serve the spiritual needs of the people. Joshua 21:7 states, "The Merarites, according to their clans, received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun."

Significance in Israel's Worship

The role of the Merarites highlights the importance of order and structure in the worship of God. Their responsibilities ensured that the Tabernacle, a symbol of God's presence among His people, was always ready for worship and sacrifice. The meticulous care with which the Merarites carried out their duties reflects the reverence and obedience expected in the service of the Lord.

Legacy

The legacy of Merar'i and his descendants is a testament to the faithfulness and dedication required in the service of God. Their contributions to the religious life of Israel were foundational, supporting the worship practices that defined the covenant relationship between God and His people. The Merarites' commitment to their divinely appointed tasks serves as an enduring example of devotion and service in the history of Israel.Merar'i (32 Occurrences)

Genesis 46:11
And the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
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Exodus 6:16
And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon and Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were a hundred thirty and seven years.
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Exodus 6:19
And the sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.
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Numbers 3:17
And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
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Numbers 3:20
And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.
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Numbers 3:33
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites; these are the families of Merari.
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Numbers 3:35
the prince of the fathers' house of the families of Merari being Zuriel the son of Abihail; they were to pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward;
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Numbers 4:29
As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them by their families, by their fathers' houses;
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Numbers 4:33
This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tent of meeting, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.'
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Numbers 4:42
And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers' houses,
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Numbers 4:45
These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
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Numbers 7:8
And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
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Numbers 10:17
And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who bore the tabernacle, set forward.
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Numbers 26:57
And these are they that were numbered 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.
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1 Chronicles 6:1
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
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1 Chronicles 6:16
The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath and Merari.
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1 Chronicles 6:19
The sons of Merari: Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.
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1 Chronicles 6:29
The sons of Merari: Mahli; Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son;
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1 Chronicles 6:44
And on the left hand their brethren the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch;
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1 Chronicles 6:47
the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
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1 Chronicles 9:14
And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;
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1 Chronicles 15:6
of the sons of Merari: Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty;
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1 Chronicles 15:17
So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
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1 Chronicles 23:6
And David divided them into courses according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
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1 Chronicles 23:21
The sons of Merari: Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar, and Kish.
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1 Chronicles 24:26
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah, his son,
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1 Chronicles 24:27
even the sons of Merari through Jaaziah his son: Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
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1 Chronicles 26:10
Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief--for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief--
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1 Chronicles 26:19
These were the courses of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.
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2 Chronicles 29:12
Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah;
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2 Chronicles 34:12
And the men did the work faithfully; and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to preside over it; and other of the Levites, all that had skill with instruments of music.
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Ezra 8:19
and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
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Merar'i (32 Occurrences)
Merar'i. Merari, Merar'i. Merarite . Multi-Version Concordance Merar'i (32
Occurrences). Genesis 46:11 And the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. ...
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Merarite (8 Occurrences)

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Merari (38 Occurrences)

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