Merari

Merari ("Name means::bitter, Name means::gall") (b. ca. Born::Abib 2289 AM) was the third son of Levi and the progenitor of the third-ranking family of the Levites.

Life and Family
He was born in Canaan and entered Egypt in Entry into Egypt::Teveth 2298 AM.

Position of Descendants
When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, the Merarites had a specific responsibility regarding the transport of the Tabernacle. When the Israelites were in camp, they encamped on the northern side of the Tabernacle. When the Israelites marched, they marched ahead of the Gershonites between the first and second tribal ranks, and carried the boards, pillars, sockets, and other structural elements of the Holy Place, and the pillars for the courtyard fence. 

When the Israelites took possession of the land, the Merarites were allotted twelve cities in Reubenite, Gadite, and Zebulunite territories.