He served as the representative of the Merari descendants of the Levite tribe.
Num 3:35The leader of the ancestral house of the Merarite clans was Suriel son of Abihail). They were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.Num 3:36The Merarites were responsible for the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, its posts and bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,Num 3:37also the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs and ropes.