Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 3:33
Of Merari [was] the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these [are] the families of Merari.
Num 3:33-39
These shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle.
The placing of the Levites throughout the host
In this division we see more particularly that which was in part noted before, namely, the several situations that these Levites had about the tabernacle, which they compassed round about that they might not be far from any of the people of God, but always resident among them. This teacheth us that God will have every part of His people taught. None are too high in regard of their great places; none are too low in regard of their obscure callings; none are too good to be taught, whatsoever their degrees be. This will be made plain by divers reasons.
1. Consider the titles that are given unto God in the Scriptures. He is worthily called the King of His Church, and the Lord and Master of His house. Is not He the Shepherd of Israel that leadeth Josephlike sheep? (Psa 80:1). Will a shepherd that hath any care of his sheep, or any love unto them, look unto some of them and not to all? Will a king regard only the chief cities and most populous places of his kingdom, and suffer the rest to live as they list, without laws and good orders? Or will the master of a house look to some in his family, and not to all?
2. Such is the grace and goodness of God, that He would have all His people come to knowledge. Such as know not His will are none of His servants. If then He require the understanding of His ways, not only of rich men, of great men, of learned men, and of the ministers, but of all the people, we must hereof conclude that He hath ordained that all of them should have the means of knowledge and salvation offered unto them, and published among them.
3. The Word of God was penned for all estates, degrees, and conditions of men.
4. All persons, whatsoever they be, have souls to save: simple persons, small congregations, little assemblies, as well as others that ale many in number.
Uses:
1. It is Gods ordinance that every congregation should have a learned minister to teach them the true religion and fear of God.
2. It is required of the ministers of the Gospel, whom the Holy Ghost hath made overseers of their several flocks, to look to their whole charge from one corner of it to another. They are to give an account for every soul that dies through their ignorance or through their negligence.
3. We have warrant from hence to desire most earnestly that the kingdom of God may flourish everywhere. Christ our Saviour teaches us to pray that His kingdom may come (Mat 6:10), and so to be erected in the hearts of men.
4. This doctrine serveth as an instruction to all magistrates (as their places serve them) to further the preaching of the Word, and to furnish such places as belong unto them with able teachers. (W. Attersoll.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Of Merari [were] the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites,…. So called from his two sons Mahli and Mushi, Nu 3:20;
these [are] the families of Merari; the youngest son of Levi, Nu 3:17.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Merarites, who formed two families, comprising 6200 males, were to encamp on the north side of the tabernacle, under their prince Zuriel, and to observe the boards, bolts, pillars, and sockets of the dwelling-place ( Exo 26:15, Exo 26:26, Exo 26:32, Exo 26:37), together with all the vessels thereof (the plugs and tools), and all that had to be done in connection therewith, also the pillars of the court with their sockets, the plugs and the cords (Exo 27:10, Exo 27:19; Exo 35:18); that is to say, they were to take charge of these when the tabernacle was taken down, to carry them on the march, and to fix them when the tabernacle was set up again (Num 4:31-32).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 33-37:
The Merarites occupied a place immediately to the north of the Tabernacle, in the camp. The census showed 6,200 males in this family.
The Merarites were charged with the responsibility of caring for and transporting the boards which made up the Tabernacle walls, the bars, pillars, and sockets of the structure; the vessels which were used in the Tabernacle; and the framework for the outer courtyard along with the guy ropes and tent pegs to secure it.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
v). The Family and Privilege of Merari ( Num 3:33-37 ).
Num 3:33
‘Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.’
The two clans of the Levite sub-tribe of Merari were the Mahlites and the Mushites.
Num 3:34
‘And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred.’
Of these there were six ‘larger families’ (or ‘chieftains’) from which were drawn the two service units or hundreds who looked after the responsibilities of the sub-tribe.
Num 3:35
‘And the prince of the fathers’ house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: they shall encamp on the side of the tabernacle northward.’
Their chieftain was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They encamped on the north side of the Dwellingplace, between it and the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali.
Num 3:36-37
‘And the appointed charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and its bars , and its pillars, and its sockets, and all its instruments, and all its service, and the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.’
The responsibility of the sons of Merari was for the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the Sanctuary, all the small parts so necessary for the whole.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Merari. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis (App-6), the verse beginning and ending with the same word.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Num 3:20, 1Ch 6:19, 1Ch 23:21
Reciprocal: Num 4:29 – General 1Ch 6:29 – Mahli 1Ch 6:47 – Mushi