Abihail אֲבִיחַ֫יִל
Father of Zuriel, a Levite leader
Who is Abihail in the Bible?
Abihail was the father of Zuriel, a Levite leader mentioned in Numbers 3:35. Zuriel served as the leader of the Merarite clan, one of the three main divisions of the Levites, during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. Under Zuriel's oversight, the Merarites were responsible for transporting and setting up the tabernacle's structural components, including its boards, bars, pillars, and sockets (Numbers 3:36-37). Little else is recorded about Abihail himself in Scripture, but his significance lies in his role as the father of a key figure in Israel's religious leadership and the organization of the tabernacle during the exodus.
Biography
Abihail is mentioned in Num.3.35 as the father of Zuriel, who was the leader of the Merarite clan during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The Merarites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, alongside the Gershonites and the Kohathites.
As the leader of the Merarites, Zuriel was responsible for overseeing the transportation and setup of the tabernacle's framework, including the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets (Num.3.36-37). The Merarites were under the overall leadership of Ithamar, one of Aaron's sons.
No additional information is provided about Abihail himself in the biblical text, apart from being the father of Zuriel. His mention serves to identify Zuriel's lineage and his role within the Levitical clan structure.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 1 verse
- Numbers 3:35
"The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲבִיחַ֫יִל |