MERARI. - Third son of Levi (Heb. Méràri: Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16, 19).
His descendants (I Par. 5:27; 6:1-4, 29-34 [Vulg. 6:1, 16-19]) constituted the least numerous group of the Levites (approximately 6,200); in the desert they were entrusted with transporting the wooden parts of the Tabernacle (Num. 3:33-37; 4:29-33; 26:57), for which they had 4 carts and 8 oxen (Num. 7:8).
In Palestine they had 12 cities in the tribes of Zebulun, Reuben, and Gad: 4 in each tribe (Josh. 21:34-40). Under King Hezekiah two Merarites took part in the purification of the Temple (II Par. 29:12); two others under Josiah were charged with restoring the Sanctuary (ibid. 34:12). The 38 Levites who answered Ezra’s call to return to their homeland were Merarites (Ezra 8:19).