Numbers 3:35 - The Merarites

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Context

The Merarites
…34The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200. 35The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. 36The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items,…

Cross References

1 Chronicles 6:62
The Gershomites, according to their clans, were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan.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.Exodus 6:18
The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years.Exodus 6:25
Aaron’s son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the Levite families by their clans.Numbers 1:53
But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.”Numbers 4:28
This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.Numbers 4:33
This is the service of the Merarite clans according to all their work at the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”Numbers 7:8
and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.Numbers 10:17
Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.Numbers 18:2-3
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.Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.Joshua 21:5
The remaining descendants of Kohath received ten cities by lot from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.1 Samuel 6:15
And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the chest containing the gold objects, and they placed them on the large rock. That day the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the LORD.1 Kings 8:4
and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.2 Chronicles 29:34
However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.

Numbers 3:28,29
In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary…

Numbers 1:53
But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

northward

Numbers 2:25
The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

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Numbers 3

The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail;
Zuriel, meaning "my rock is God," signifies the importance of divine strength and reliance on God. The Merarites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, responsible for the more structural aspects of the tabernacle, such as the frames, bars, pillars, and bases. This role highlights the importance of order and support within the community of Israel. The mention of Zuriel as the leader underscores the significance of leadership within the Levitical families, ensuring that the duties assigned by God were carried out efficiently. The name Abihail, meaning "father of might," further emphasizes the strength and authority expected in the leadership of the Merarites. This lineage and leadership structure reflect the organized and hierarchical nature of Israelite society, as established by God through Moses.

they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.
The positioning of the Merarites on the north side of the tabernacle is significant in the broader layout of the Israelite camp. Each Levitical family had a designated place around the tabernacle, which was the center of worship and the presence of God among His people. The north side was a strategic location, as it was one of the four cardinal directions that defined the camp's organization. This arrangement ensured that the tabernacle was surrounded and protected by those dedicated to its service. The north side, in particular, may symbolize strength and stability, aligning with the Merarites' responsibilities for the tabernacle's structural components. This placement also reflects the order and precision with which God instructed the Israelites to live, emphasizing the importance of obedience and reverence in their relationship with Him.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Zuriel
The leader of the Merarite families, whose name means "my rock is God" in Hebrew. He was responsible for overseeing the duties assigned to his clan in the service of the tabernacle.

2. Merarites
One of the three main divisions of the Levites, descended from Merari, the son of Levi. They were tasked with the care and transportation of the tabernacle's structural components.

3. Abihail
The father of Zuriel, whose name means "father of strength" in Hebrew. His lineage is significant in establishing the leadership within the Merarite clan.

4. North Side of the Tabernacle
The designated camping area for the Merarites, indicating their specific role and position in relation to the tabernacle, which was central to Israel's worship and community life.

5. Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites, central to their worship and religious practices during their wilderness journey.

Teaching Points

Leadership and Responsibility
Zuriel's leadership role among the Merarites emphasizes the importance of godly leadership in fulfilling God's purposes. Leaders are called to guide their people in service and obedience to God.

Service in God's Kingdom
The Merarites' specific duties remind us that every role in God's kingdom is significant, whether seen or unseen. Faithful service in our assigned tasks contributes to the greater work of God.

Order and Structure in Worship
The organized camping and duties around the tabernacle illustrate the importance of order and structure in worship. God is a God of order, and our worship should reflect His nature.

Heritage and Legacy
The mention of Zuriel and Abihail highlights the importance of spiritual heritage and legacy. Our faithfulness can impact future generations in their service to God.Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The leader
וּנְשִׂ֤יא (ū·nə·śî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5387: An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist

of the families
בֵֽית־ (ḇêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the Merarites
מְרָרִ֔י (mə·rā·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi

was Zuriel
צוּרִיאֵ֖ל (ṣū·rî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6700: Zuriel -- 'my rock is El', a Levite

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Abihail;
אֲבִיחָ֑יִל (’ă·ḇî·ḥā·yil)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 32: Abihail -- 'my father is might', an Israelite name

they were to camp
יַחֲנ֖וּ (ya·ḥă·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

on
עַ֣ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the north
צָפֹֽנָה׃ (ṣā·p̄ō·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

side
יֶ֧רֶךְ (ye·reḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3409: Thigh,loin, flank, side

of the tabernacle.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן (ham·miš·kān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

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Numbers 3:35 Catholic BibleOT Law: Numbers 3:35 The prince of the fathers' house (Nu Num.)