Merarites Merari

From BiblePortal Wikipedia

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]

MERARI, MERARITES. 1 . The third son of Levi, to whom a division of the Levites traced their descent (  Genesis 46:11 ,   Exodus 6:16 ,   Numbers 3:17 ,   1 Chronicles 6:1; 1Ch 6:16;   1 Chronicles 23:6 . The title ‘Merarites’ is found only in   Numbers 26:57; elsewhere they are called ‘sons of Merari’ (  Exodus 6:19 ,   Numbers 3:20;   Numbers 4:29;   Numbers 4:33;   Numbers 4:42;   Numbers 4:46;   Numbers 7:8;   Numbers 10:17 ,   Joshua 21:7;   Joshua 21:34;   Joshua 21:39 ,   1 Chronicles 6:19; 1Ch 6:29;   1 Chronicles 6:44;   1 Chronicles 6:63; 1Ch 6:77;   1 Chronicles 9:14;   1 Chronicles 15:6; 1Ch 15:17;   1 Chronicles 23:21;   1 Chronicles 24:27;   1 Chronicles 26:19 ,   2 Chronicles 29:12 ,   Ezra 8:19 ). They were subdivided into two groups, the Mahlites and the Mushites Numbers 3:33;   Numbers 26:58 ), each being traced to a ‘son’ of MerariExodus 6:19 ,   Numbers 3:20 , 1Ch 6:19;   1 Chronicles 6:29;   1 Chronicles 6:17;   1 Chronicles 23:21 ). From these families fragments of genealogies remain, some branches being traced through the daughters of Mahli (see   1 Chronicles 23:2 ).

Very little is related of the Merarites after the Exile. Certain Merarites are mentioned in  1 Chronicles 9:14;   1 Chronicles 9:16-18 =   Nehemiah 11:15;   Nehemiah 11:17-19 as dwelling in Jerusalem immediately after the Return, and certain others as accompanying Ezra to the city in 454 b.c. (  Ezra 8:18 f.). But P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] and the Chronicler introduce the family into the earlier history. (1) During the desert wanderings the Merarites were on the north side of the Tent (  Numbers 3:35 ); their duty was to carry the less sacred parts of it, the ‘boards’ (or rather frames), pegs, cords, etc. (  Numbers 3:38 f.,   Numbers 4:31 f.,   Numbers 10:17 ), for which they were given four waggons and eight oxen (  Numbers 7:8 ); and they were superintended by Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron (  Numbers 4:33 ). (2) After the settlement in Palestine, twelve cities were assigned to them (  Joshua 21:7;   Joshua 21:34-40 =   1 Chronicles 6:63;   1 Chronicles 6:77-81 ). (3) In David’s reign the Chronicler relates that the Temple music was superintended partly by Ethan, or Jeduthun, a Merarite, and his family (  1 Chronicles 6:44-47; 1Ch 16:41 f.,   1 Chronicles 25:1;   1 Chronicles 25:3; 1Ch 25:6;   1 Chronicles 25:11;   1 Chronicles 25:16;   1 Chronicles 25:18;   1 Chronicles 25:21 f.; and see   1 Chronicles 15:6;   1 Chronicles 15:17-19 ). David divided the Levites into courses ‘according to the sons of Levi’ (  1 Chronicles 23:8; Merarites,   1 Chronicles 23:21-24;   1 Chronicles 23:26-30 ), and particular offices of certain Merarites are detailed in   1 Chronicles 26:10-13;   1 Chronicles 26:16-18 . (4) They took part in the cleansing of the Temple under Hezekiah2 Chronicles 29:12;   2 Chronicles 29:14 ). Cf. also art. Kohath.

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

A. H. M’Neile.

Morrish Bible Dictionary [2]

Third son of Levi, and his descendants. He entered into Egypt with his family, but nothing is further recorded of him personally. The MERARITES became a large branch of the Levites. They had charge of the heavier parts of the tabernacle, to carry which they had four wagons and eight oxen. In the land they had twelve cities from among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun, including the city of Ramoth-gilead. They shared in the duties devolving on the Levites during the kingdom, a third part of the singers and a third part of the door-keepers being Merarites. Some of their descendants returned from exile.  Exodus 6:16,19;  Numbers 3:17-37;  Numbers 4:29-45;  Numbers 7:8;  Numbers 10:17;  Numbers 26:57;  Joshua 21:7,34-40;  1 Chronicles 6:1-77;  Ezra 8:19 , etc.

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