Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MERARI

(Heb. mĕrārî)

1. The third son of Levi and father of Mahli and Mushi (Gen. 46:11; Exod. 6:16, 19); eponymous ancestor of the Merarite Levites. During the wilderness wanderings the Merarites camped on the north or right side of the tabernacle, and guarded it from the north. They were in charge of transporting the boards or frames of the tabernacle, the bars, the pillars, the pedestals, and all their requirements. They were also responsible for the pillars of the courtyard, its pedestals, tent pegs and cords; these they carried in four wagons, each pulled by a pair of oxen (Num. 3:33-37; 4:29-33; 7:8).

The Merarites were assigned cities in Canaan from territories allotted to Zebulun (Jokneam, Kartah, Rimmon, and Nahalal), Reuben (Bezer, Jahaz, Kedemoth, and Mephaath), and Gad (Ramoth-in-Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer; Josh. 21:34-40; 1 Chr. 6:77-81[MT 62-66]).

During the Second Temple period the genealogy of one group of temple singers, the Ethanites, was connected to the Merarites through Ethan (1 Chr. 6:44-47[29-32]). During this period the sons of Merari were also counted among the gatekeepers. They had responsibility for the western side of the temple and for guarding the storehouses (1 Chr. 26:10, 16-19). Along with the Kohathites, the Merarites were said to have participated in the reforms of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29:12) and Josiah (2 Chr. 34:12), and to have accompanied Ezra back from Babylon (Ezra 8:18-19).

Bibliography. R. G. Boling and G. E. Wright, Joshua. AB 6 (Garden City, 1982); S. Japhet, I and II Chronicles. OTL (Louisville, 1993); B. A. Levine, Numbers 1–20. AB 4 (New York, 1993).

Lisbeth S. Fried

2. The father of Judith, son of Ox (Jdt. 8:1; 16:7).

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MERARI

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)