Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(bitter). Third son of Levi, and head of family of Merarites (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16; Num. 3:17; 4:29-33; Josh. 21:7-30).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
Third son of Levi, and his descendants. He entered into Egypt with his family, but nothing is further recorded of him personally. The MERARITES became a large branch of the Levites. They had charge of the heavier parts of the tabernacle, to carry which they had four wagons and eight oxen. In the land they had twelve cities from among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun, including the city of Ramoth-gilead. They shared in the duties devolving on the Levites during the kingdom, a third part of the singers and a third part of the door-keepers being Merarites. Some of their descendants returned from exile (Ex. 6:16,19; Num. 3:17-37; Num. 4:29-45; Num. 7:8; Num. 10:17; Num. 26:57; Josh. 21:7,34-40; 1 Chron. 6:1-77; Ezra 8:19).
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
from 4843; bitter; Merari, an Israelite
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
my bitterness
Potts’ Bible Proper Names:
My bitterness; unhappy; sorrowful:―third son of Levi, Gen. 46:11. {Amaritudo mea}