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Gershon גֵּרְשׁוֹן

Male Tribe of Levi H1648 6 books

Firstborn son of Levi; head of the Gershonite Levites.

Who is Gershon in the Bible?

Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi and the ancestor of the Gershonite Levites, one of the three main divisions of the Levitical priesthood (Genesis 46:11, Exodus 6:16). He had two sons, Libni and Shimei, whose descendants formed the Gershonite clans (Exodus 6:17, Numbers 3:18). During Israel's wilderness wanderings, the Gershonites held the important responsibility of caring for the tabernacle's curtains, coverings, screens, and associated equipment, transporting these items using wagons and oxen provided by the people (Numbers 3:25, 4:24-28, 7:7). The Gershonites were counted regularly in the census of Levites and later received thirteen cities in the Promised Land for their dwelling places (Numbers 26:57, 1 Chronicles 6:1). Gershon's legacy was foundational to Israel's worship, as his descendants maintained the physical structures that housed God's presence among the people.

Biography

Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi, the third son of Israel (or 'Jacob') (Gen.46.11; Exo.6.16). He had two sons, Libni and Shimei, who became the heads of the Gershonite Levite clans (Exo.6.17; Num.3.18, 21; 1Ch.6.17, 20). The Gershonites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, along with the Kohathites and Merarites (Num.3.17; 1Ch.6.1, 16).

During the wilderness wanderings, the Gershonites were responsible for the tabernacle curtains, coverings, screens, and related duties (Num.3.25-26; 4.24-28). They were counted in the census of the Levites (Num.3.22; 4.38-41) and were given wagons and oxen to transport their assigned parts of the tabernacle (Num.7.7).

In the division of the Promised Land, the Gershonites were allocated thirteen cities across the territories of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and eastern Manasseh (Jos.21.6, 27-33; 1Ch.6.62, 71-76). Notable Gershonites include Asaph, a prominent musician and psalmist in King David's court (1Ch.6.39-43), and Jahath, a Levite leader during the reign of King Hezekiah (2Ch.29.12).

The Gershonites played a significant role in the transportation, setup, and maintenance of the tabernacle, and later in the music and worship of the temple. Their dedicated service, along with that of the other Levite clans, was essential to the proper functioning of Israel's religious life.

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In Scripture

6 biblical books ; 3 with study content
Genesis 1 verse
Exodus 2 verses
  • Exodus 6:16

    "These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years."

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  • Exodus 6:17

    "The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans."

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Numbers 5 verses
  • Numbers 3:17

    "These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari."

  • Numbers 3:18

    "These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei."

  • Numbers 3:21

    "From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans."

  • Numbers 3:25

    "The duties of the Gershonites at the Tent of Meeting were the tabernacle and tent, its covering, the curtain for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,"

  • Numbers 4:22

    "“Take a census of the Gershonites as well, by their families and clans,"

1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 6:1

    "The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari."

  • 1 Chronicles 23:6

    "Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari."

  • 1 Chronicles 15:7

    "from the Gershomites, Joel the chief and 130 of his relatives;"

  • 1 Chronicles 6:16

    "The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari."

  • 1 Chronicles 6:17

    "These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei."

Joshua 3 verses
  • Joshua 21:6

    "The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan."

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  • Joshua 21:27

    "This is what the Levite clans of the Gershonites were given: From the half-tribe of Manasseh they were given Golan in Bashan, a city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah—two cities, together with their pasturelands."

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  • Joshua 21:33

    "In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the Gershonite clans."

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2 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 2 Chronicles 29:12

    "Then the Levites set to work: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershonites;"

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Transliteration Meaning
Named Hebrew גֵּרְשׁוֹן — —
(same form as previous) Hebrew גֵּרְשׁוֹן — —
(same form as previous) Hebrew גֵּרְשׁוֹן — —
Spelled Hebrew גֵּרְשֹׁם gērĕšōm Gereshom , the name of four Israelites
(same form as previous) Hebrew גֵּרְשֹׁם gērĕšōm Gereshom , the name of four Israelites
Group Hebrew גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי — —
(same form as previous) Hebrew גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי — —