Who was Jerimoth in the Bible?

Jerimoth was a Levite, specifically the son of Mushi from the clan of Merari. He is mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Levi in 1 Chronicles 23:23 and 24:30.

Why is Jerimoth mentioned in the Bible?

Jerimoth is listed to preserve the important priestly lineage of the Levites. His inclusion in the genealogy shows the organization of the clans responsible for the service of the tabernacle and, later, the temple.

What was Jerimoth's role as a Levite?

As a Levite from the clan of Merari, Jerimoth's family line was responsible for the physical components of the tabernacle, like its frames, bars, pillars, and sockets (Numbers 3:36-37). He represents the continuity of this sacred duty.

Jerimoth

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeviteSon

Jerimoth was a Levite, the son of Mushi, from the clan of Merari, as recorded in the genealogies in 1 Chronicles.

Jerimoth

Biography

Jerimoth son of Mushi belonged to the Merarite branch of the Levitical tribe, the clan responsible for transporting the heavy structural components of the tabernacle during Israel's wilderness wanderings. Mushi was a son of Merari (1 Chronicles 23:23; 24:30), making Jerimoth a third-generation Levite descended directly from Levi through Merari and Mushi. During David's reorganization of Levitical duties in anticipation of the Jerusalem temple, the Mushite sub-clan was counted and assigned specific liturgical responsibilities. Jerimoth's place in these genealogies marks him as part of the transition from the portable wilderness sanctuary to the permanent temple worship that Solomon would eventually establish.

Significance

Jerimoth son of Mushi represents the continuity of Levitical faithfulness across generations. The Merarites' role in the wilderness, bearing the tabernacle's frames, bars, pillars, and bases (Numbers 4:29-33), was essential though unglamorous, requiring strength and disciplined obedience. As a descendant of this line, Jerimoth inherited a tradition of faithful service in the background of Israel's sacred story. Theologically, his lineage affirms that God's redemptive purposes are sustained not only by priests and prophets but by generations of ordinary covenant servants. The Merarite tradition also anticipates the New Testament teaching that every member of the body of Christ has an essential, God-assigned role.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherDavidSpouseAbihailChildMahalath

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 23:23 1Chr 24:30

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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