Numbers 3:35

35 The leader of the Merari families was Zuriel son of Abihail, and they were to camp north of the Holy Tent.

Numbers 3:35 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 3:35

And the chief of the house of the father of the families of
Merari
I think it should rather be rendered, "and the chief of the house", that is, of the Merarites, "the father to the families of Merari"; the common father to them all, having the chief authority and power over them, and so in ( Numbers 3:24 Numbers 3:30 ) ;

[shall be] Zuriel the son of Abihail;
of whom we read nowhere else, nor is it certain of which family he was, whether of the Mahlites or Mushites:

[these] shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward;
to the left of it, between that and the camp of Dan.

Numbers 3:35 In-Context

33 The family groups of Mahli and Mushi belonged to Merari; they were the Merarite family groups.

34 The number that was counted was 6,200 males one month old or older.

35 The leader of the Merari families was Zuriel son of Abihail, and they were to camp north of the Holy Tent.

36 The Merarites were responsible for the frames of the Holy Tent, the braces, the posts, the bases, and all the work connected with these items.

37 They were also responsible for the posts in the courtyard around the Holy Tent and their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.