The Merarites were assigned the duty of carrying the framework of the tabernacle, which included the boards, bars, pillars, sockets, and related equipment. Their task was vital because these heavy structural elements formed the foundation and support of the entire sanctuary. Without their service, the tabernacle could not be raised or stand firmly in place.
“As for the sons of Merari, you shall number them by their families and by their fathers’ house… And this is what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, and the pillars around the court with their sockets, pegs, and cords, with all their furnishings and all their service.” (Numbers 4:29, 31–32)
The responsibility of the Merarites highlighted the strength and stability required for God’s dwelling. Though their work was not as sacred as that of the Kohathites or as visible as the Gershonites, it was indispensable. By dividing the labor among the Levite families, God ensured that every part of His house was cared for with precision, order, and reverence.
