Numbers 3:35

35 This clan was to camp on the north side of the Tent, with Zuriel son of Abihail as chief of the clan.

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 clan of Merari was composed of the families of Mahli and Mushi.

34 The total number of males one month old or older that were enrolled was 6,200.

35 This clan was to camp on the north side of the Tent, with Zuriel son of Abihail as chief of the clan.

36 They were assigned responsibility for the frames for the Tent, its bars, posts, bases, and all its fittings. They were responsible for all the service connected with these items.

37 They were also responsible for the posts, bases, pegs, and ropes for the outer court.