Merarites

The descendants of Merari (Num. 26:57). They with the Gershonites and the Kohathites had charge of the tabernacle, which they had to carry from place to place (Num. 3:20, 33-37; 4:29-33). In the distribution of the oxen and waggons offered by the princes (Num. 7), Moses gave twice as many to the Merarites (four waggons and eight oxen) as he gave to the Gershonites, because the latter had to carry only the lighter furniture of the tabernacle, such as the curtains, hangings, etc., while the former had to carry the heavier portion, as the boards, bars, sockets, pillars, etc., and consequently needed a greater supply of oxen and waggons. This is a coincidence illustrative of the truth of the narrative. Their place in marching and in the camp was on the north of the tabernacle. The Merarites afterwards took part with the other Levitical families in the various functions of their office (1 Chr. 23:6, 21-23; 2 Chr. 29:12, 13). Twelve cities with their suburbs were assigned to them (Josh. 21:7, 34-40).

MERARITES, THE, one of the three great families, of the tribe of Levi, numbering, when the census was taken in the wilderness, 6200 males above one month old, of whom 3200 were between thirty and fifty years of age, Num 3:34; Num 4:44, and divided into two branches, the Mahlites and the Mushites. Num 3:33. They marched between Judah and Reuben, pitched to the north of the tabernacle, and had charge of all the pillars, bars, boards, etc., belonging to the tabernacle and the surrounding court. Num 3:33-37; Num 4:29-33; Song of Solomon 7:8. When Canaan was conquered, twelve cities in the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun were allotted to them. Josh 21:7, Josh 21:34-39; 1 Chr 6:63, 1 Chr 6:77-81.