1 Chronicles 6:1 — Word Study
WLCבְּנֵ֖י לֵוִ֑י גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן קְהָ֖ת וּמְרָרִֽי׃
BSAThe sonsbên [descendants, offspring] of LeviLêvîy [a son of Jacob and Leah] KohathQᵉhâth [a brother of Gershon and Merari] and MerariMᵉrârîy [meaning 'bitter', the third son]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּנֵ֖י | [the] sons of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| לֵוִ֑י | Levi | Noun proper masculine |
| גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן | Gershon | Noun proper masculine |
| קְהָ֖ת | Kohath | Noun proper masculine |
| וּמְרָרִֽי׃ | and Merari | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| KJV | The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| ASV | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| YLT | Sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| WEB | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| BBE | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
There are no significant differences in wording across the translations on this verse.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a simple list, clearly presenting the information without complexity.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 6:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Lineage of Levigenerated
1 Chronicles 6:1 presents the descendants of Levi, a pivotal figure in Israel's history. Levi's lineage is essential for understanding the priestly roles in Israelite worship. The mention of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari highlights the family divisions within the tribe of Levi, which played a crucial role in the religious life of the nation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 23:6 | Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. |
| 2 | Genesis 46:11 | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| 3 | Exodus 6:16 | These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years. |
| 4 | Numbers 3:17 | These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. |
| 5 | Numbers 26:57 | Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בְּנֵי, be.Neigenerated
The word בְּנֵי (be.Nei) is a masculine plural construct noun derived from בֵּן (ben), meaning 'son' or 'child.' It signifies not just immediate offspring but can also refer to descendants or broader familial relationships, emphasizing lineage and inheritance.
In this verse, it introduces the descendants of Levi, establishing their identity and importance in the context of Israel's priesthood. The term encompasses the entire family line, indicating that these individuals are not just sons, but also representatives of their father's legacy.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the phrase is rendered consistently as the sons of Levi.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is straightforward, with a subject noun phrase בְּנֵי לֵוִי (the sons of Levi) followed by a predicate noun phrase listing the sons: גֵּרְשׁוֹן קְהָת וּמְרָרִי (Gershon, Kohath, and Merari).
This simple structure emphasizes the lineage of Levi without additional clauses, making it clear and direct.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates בְּנֵי as υἱοὶ (huioi), which also means 'sons.' This choice reflects a direct equivalence in meaning, maintaining the familial connection.
The consistency between the Hebrew and Greek terms indicates a shared understanding of lineage in both texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 6:1 introduces the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. This verse establishes their lineage, showing the importance of the tribe of Levi in Israel's history and worship.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The sons of Levi mentioned are Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, who are significant figures in the priestly lineage.
The tribe of Levi is important because they were set apart for priestly duties and service in the tabernacle.
This verse connects to other genealogical records in the Bible, such as those in Exodus and Numbers, which detail the roles of the Levites.
The name 'Merari' means 'bitter,' reflecting the circumstances of his birth or the experiences of his descendants.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can I learn from the lineage of Levi about my own family heritage?
- How does understanding the roles of the Levites enhance my appreciation for the worship practices in the Bible?
- In what ways can I apply the concept of being part of a lineage to my spiritual journey?
- How does the significance of names in this verse speak to the importance of identity in my life?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 6:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe sons of Levi,.... After an account of the chief of the tribes of Judah and Simeon, of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, follows that of Levi, and his posterity; the kingdom being given
Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 6 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 6 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(1-15) THE LINE OF AARON THROUGH ELEAZAR TO .(1-3) Aaron’s descent from Levi. (1) The sons of Levi; Gershon . . .—So Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16, and uniformly in the Pentateuch. In 1 Chronicles 6:16 we have the spelling Gershom, which perhaps indicates a difference of source. (2) The sons of Kohath.—The names are the same as in Exodus 6:18. Kŏ ?hath, or Kĕ ?hath, was the chief house of Levi. The name is put second in the series, perhaps for euphonic reasons. (Comp. “Sheni, Ham, and Japhet” with Genesis 9:24; Genesis 10:21.) (3) And the children.—Heb., sons (bnκ ‘Βmrβm).Aaron, and Moses.—Exodus 6:20. And Miriam.—Numbers 26:59 : “the prophetess, the sister of Aaron” (Exodus 15:20). The sons…
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 6 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER VI The genealogy of Levi and Aaron, 1-30. The offices of the priests and Levites, 31-53. The cities assigned them, 54-81. NOTES ON CHAP. VI Verse 1. The sons of Levi] It has been well remarked that the genealogy of Levi is given here more ample and correct than that of any of the others. And this is perhaps an additional proof that the author was a priest, felt much for the priesthood, and took care to give the genealogy of the Levitical and sacerdotal families, from the most correct tables; for with such tables we may presume he was intimately acquainted.
Read AdamClarke on 1 Chronicles 6 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesCh. 1 Chronicles 6:1-15 (= 5:27–41 according to the Heb. division). The Descent of the High-priests from Levi. Their Line to the Captivity Clearly the list of highpriests given in 1 Chronicles 6:4-14 is not exhaustive. (1) In the first place allowing 20 years for each generation mentioned we get a space of 440 years only from the Mosaic age to the Captivity. The real interval must have been not less (and was probably much more) than 700 years. (2) In the second place some priests (doubtless highpriests) mentioned in the course of history find no place here, e.g. Eli, Ahimelech (son of Ahitub), Abiathar (David’s fellow-exile), Azariah (the contemporary of the leper-king Uzziah), Urijah (the…
Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 6 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe genealogy of the high priestly stem to the captivity.
Read Albert Barnes on 1 Chronicles 6 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Tyndale line
The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The sonnes of Leui were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Strictly literal
The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
Sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
(5:27) The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kehath, and Merari.
The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
From the Latin
The sons of Levi were Gerson, Caath, and Merari.
Simplified
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all five words matched. The Septuagint preserves the same lineage information as the Hebrew text.
בְּנֵ֖י לֵוִ֑י גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן קְהָ֖ת וּמְרָרִֽי׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 6:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
See SON, SONS.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
לֵוִי (Levi) refers to a man from the tribe of Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah. The name means 'attached' or 'joined to.' He is the father of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, and is first mentioned in Genesis 29:34. The entries indicate his significance as the progenitor of the Levites.
לֵוִי n.pr.m. Levi
base
H3878 לֵוִי Levi
3878 Leviy lay-vee'
from 3867; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob:--Levi. See also
3879, 3881.
see HEBREW for 03867
see HEBREW for 03879
see HEBREW for 03881
לֵוִי (le.vi) — Levi.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);
brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);
half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115)
§ Levi = "joined to"
the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah and progenitor of tribe of Levites
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Levi
Adhesion. (1.) The third son of Jacob by Leah. The origin of the name is found in Leah’s words (Gen. 29:34), “This time will my husband be joined [Heb. yillaveh] unto me.” He is mentioned as taking a prominent part in avenging his sister Dinah (Gen. 34:25-31). He and his three sons went down with Jacob (46:11) into Egypt, where he died at the age of one hundred and thirty-seven years (Ex. 6:16).
(joined). The name of the third son of Jacob by his wife Leah. (B.C. about 1753.) The name, derived from lavah , "to adhere," gave utterance to the hope of the mother that the affections of her husband, which had hitherto rested on the favored Rachel, would at last be drawn to her: "This time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have borne him three sons." (Genesis 29:34) Levi, with his brother Simeon, avenged with a cruel slaughter the outrage of their sister Dinah. [DINAH] Levi, with his three sons, Gershon, Kohath and Merari, went down to Egypt with his father Jacob. (Genesis 47:11) When Jacob’s death draws near, and the sons are gathered round him, Levi and Simeon hear the old crime brought up again to receive its sentence. They no less than Reuben, the incestuous…
1. The third son of Jacob and Leah, born in Mesopotamia; and father of three sons, and of Jochebed the mother of Moses, Ge 29:34 Ex 6:16-20. For his share in the treacherous massacre of the Shechemites, Ge 34:1-31, his father at death foreboded evil to his posterity, Ge 49:5-7; but as they afterwards stood forth on the Lord’s side, Moses was charged to bless them, Ex 32:26-29 De 33:8-11. The tribe of Levi was, according to Jacob’s prediction, scattered over all Israel, having no share in the cities in the portions of other tribes. All the tithes, first fruits, and…
associated with him
גֵּרְשׁוֹן (Gershon) refers to the son of Levi, a figure from the Israelite tribes. The name is associated with the meaning 'refugee' or 'exile.' He is first mentioned in Genesis 46:11 and is noted as the brother of Kohath and Merari, and the father of Libni and Shimei. Gershon is also referred to as Gershom in several passages.
גֵּרְשׁוֹן n.pr.m. son of Levi
base
H1648 גֵּרְשׁוֹן son of Levi
1648 Gershown gay-resh-one'
or Gershowm {gay-resh-ome'}; from 1644; a refugee; Gereshon
or Gereshom, an Israelite:--Gershon, Gershom.
see HEBREW for 01644
גֵּרְשׁוֹן (ge.re.shon) — Gershon.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11;
son of: Levi (H3878);
brother of: Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115);
father of: Libni (H3845) and Shimei (H8096); also called Gershom at 1Ch.6.16,17,20,43,62,71; 15.7;
§ Gershon or Gershom = "exile"
firstborn son of Levi born before Jacob's family went to Egypt
HNpm — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Gershon
=Ger’shom expulsion, the eldest of Levi’s three sons (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16).
In the wilderness the sons of Gershon had charge of the fabrics of the tabernacle when it was moved from place to place, the curtains, veils, tent-hangings (Num. 3: 21-26). Thirteen Levitical cities fell to the lot of the Gershonites (Josh. 21:27-33).
(exile). The eldest of the three sons of Levi, born before the descent of Jacob’s family into Egypt. (Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16) (B.C. before 1706.) But, though the eldest born, the families of Gershon were outstripped in fame by their younger brethren of Kohath, from whom sprang Moses and the priestly line of Aaron.
The eldest son of Levi, and head of one of the three branches of the Levitical tribe, Ge 46:11; Ex 6:16. The Gershonites encamped west of the tabernacle in the wilderness, and carried its curtains and other parts form station to station, Nu 3:17,25; 4:24-28,38- 41; 10:17. Thirteen cities were assigned to them in northern Canaan, Jos 21:6; 1Ch 6:62,71.
his banishment; the change of pilgrimage
קְהָת (Qhath) refers to Kohath, a son of Levi and an important figure in the Israelite lineage. He is noted as the progenitor of a family within the tribe of Levi, with connections to other significant figures such as Gershon and Merari. The name is associated with the concept of assembly.
קְהָת 30 n.pr.m. son of Levi
base
H6955 קְהָת son of Levi
6955 Qhath keh-hawth'
from an unused root meaning to ally oneself; allied; Kehath,
an Israelite:--Kohath.
קְהָת (qe.hat) — Kohath.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11;
son of: Levi (H3878);
brother of: Gershon (H1648), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115);
father of: Amram (H6019), Izhar (H3324), Hebron (H2275B) and Uzziel (H5816)
Also named: qo.ha.ti (קְהָתִי "Kohathite" H6956)
§ Kohath = "assembly"
the 2nd of the 3 sons of Levi and progenitor of a family in the tribe of Levi
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Kohath
Assembly, the second son of Levi, and father of Amram (Gen. 46:11). He came down to Egypt with Jacob, and lived to the age of one hundred and thirty-three years (Ex. 6:18).
(assembly), second of the three sons of Levi, from whom the three principal divisions of the Levites derived their origin and their name. (Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16) In the journeyings of the tabernacle of the sons of Kohath (Kohathites) had charge of the most holy portions of the vessels. (Numbers 4:1) ... Of the personal history of Kohath we know nothing, except that he came down to Egypt with Levi and Jacob, (Genesis 46:11) that his sister was Jochebed, (Exodus 6:20) and that he lived to the age of 133 years. (Exodus 6:18) (B.C. about 1491.)
congregation; wrinkle; bluntness
מְרָרִי (Merari) refers to a son of Levi and the head of a prominent Levitical family. The name is derived from a root meaning 'bitter.' Merari is mentioned in the context of the Israelite tribes, specifically in Genesis 46:11, and is noted as the brother of Gershon and Kohath, and the father of Mahli and Mushi.
מְרָרִי n.pr.m. a son of Levi, and head of a chief Levit. family
base
H4847 מְרָרִי a son of Levi, and head of a chief Levit. family
4847 Mrariy mer-aw-ree'
from 4843; bitter; Merari, an Israelite:--Merari. See also
4848.
see HEBREW for 04843
see HEBREW for 04848
מְרָרִי (me.ra.ri) — Merari.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11;
son of: Levi (H3878);
brother of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955) and Jochebed (H3115);
father of: Mahli (H4249), Mushi (H4187) and Jaaziah (H3269)
Also named: me.ra.ri (מְרָרִי "Merari" H4848)
§ Merari = "bitter"
the 3rd son of Levi and head of a Levitical family
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
me-ra'-ri (merari, "bitter"; Mararei):
(1) The 3rd son of Levi, his brothers, Gershon and Kohath, being always mentioned together with him (Ge 46:11; Ex 6:16). He was among those 70 who went down to Egypt with Jacob (Ge 46:8,11; compare 46:26 and Ex 1:5).
(2) The family of Merari, descendants of above, and always (with one exception, for which see MERARITES) spoken of as "sons of Merari" in numerous references, such as 1Ch 6:1,16,19,29, which only repeat without additional information the references to be found in the body of this article. We early find them divided into two families, the Mahli and Mushi (
Merari
Sad; bitter, the youngest son of Levi, born before the descent of Jacob into Egypt, and one of the seventy who accompanied him thither (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16). He became the head of one of the great divisions of the Levites (Ex. 6:19). (See MERARITES.)
The youngest of Levi’s three sons, born in Canaan, and head of a family of the Levites, Ge 46:11; Ex 6:16; Nu 3:17; 1Ch 6:1. In the journey through the wilderness they were charged with the framework of the tabernacle, to carry from one place of encampment to another, and there set it up, Nu 4:29-33; 7:8. Twelve cities were assigned to them beyond Jordan, Jos 21:7,34-40.
bitter; to provoke