Definition: And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari [was] Zuriel the son of Abihail: [these] shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 3:35. It’s a really important detail about how the Tabernacle was set up in ancient Israel! Here’s what it means, explained simply: What it says: “And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari [was] Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Numbers 3:35” : This is a specific section in the Old Testament Book of Numbers. It’s a detail about how the Tabernacle, which was God’s dwelling place, was built. “And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari” : This refers to a very important leader named Zuriel. The “father of the families” part is key – it means this person was the head of a prominent family group, likely related to the lineage of Merari. “[was] Zuriel the son of Abihail” : This tells us Zuriel was the leader of that family and he had a specific name. Abihail was a very important figure in this line of leadership. “these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.” : This is the crucial part. It means that Zuriel’s position – his location – was specifically designated to be northward (in a direction) on the side of the Tabernacle. What does this tell us about the Tabernacle? This verse describes a very specific arrangement for the Tabernacle. It wasn't just any location; Zuriel needed to be positioned at a particular point to symbolize God’s presence and authority within the temple. It was designed to be a visible sign of God’s rule and to draw people to him. In short, it’s a detailed instruction about where the leader of a family group should stand near the Tabernacle to show God was present. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the Tabernacle and its significance? Answer any specific questions you have about this passage?