Lexical Definition
גֵּרְשׁוֹן Gêrᵉshôwn (gay-resh-one') Gershon N:N-M-P
or גֵּרְשׁוֹם Gêrᵉshôwm (gayresh-ome'); from גָּרַשׁ; a refugee
Gershon, Gershom.
- § Gershon or Gershom = "exile"
- Gereshon or Gereshom, an Israelite
1) firstborn son of Levi born before Jacob's family went to Egypt
Extended Information
- A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11
- son of: Levi (לֵוִי)
- brother of: Kohath (קְהָת), Merari (מְרָרִי) and Jochebed (יוֹכֶבֶד)
- father of: Libni (לִבְנִי) and Shimei (שִׁמְעִי); also called Gershom at 1Ch.6.16, 17, 20, 43, 62, 71 15.7
Brown-Driver-Briggs
גֵּרְשׁוֺן proper name, masculine son of Levi (= גרשׁם 1Chr 6:1*; 1Chr 6:28*; 1Chr 15:7 גרשׁום 1Chr 6:2*; 1Chr 6:5*; 1Chr 6:47*; 1Chr 6:56*) Gen 46:11; Exod 6:16; Exod 6:17; Num 3:17; Num 3:18; Num 3:21; Num 3:25; Num 4:22; Num 4:38; Num 4:41; Num 7:7; Num 10:17; Num 26:57; Josh 21:6; Josh 21:27; 1Chr 5:27*; 1Chr 23:6 (particularly in expression sons of Gershon, i.e. family, descendants of Gershon Num 3:25; Num 4:22; Num 4:38; Num 4:41; Num 7:7; Num 10:17; Josh 21:6; Josh 21:27 compare sons of Gershom 1Chr 6:47*; 1Chr 6:56*; 1Chr 15:7).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 46:11 |
| Exodus | 6:16 · 6:17 |
| Numbers | 3:17 · 3:18 · 3:21 · 3:25 · 4:22 · 4:38 · 4:41 · 7:7 · 10:17 · 26:57 |
| Joshua | 21:6 · 21:27 |
| 1 Chronicles | 5:27* · 6:1* · 6:2* · 6:5* · 6:28* · 6:47* · 6:56* · 15:7 · 23:6 |
Profile
Male • Son of Levi • Firstborn son of Levi; head of the Gershonite Levites.
Levite living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness
Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi and the ancestor of the Gershonite Levites, who were responsible for the tabernacle curtains, coverings, and related duties.
- A man from the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11;
- referred to as Gershon or Gershom or Gershonite גֵּרְשׁוֹן, or Gershom or Gershomite גֵּרְשֹׁם, or Gershonite or Gershon (NIV= Gershonite) גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי;
- son of Levi לֵוִי;
- a brother of Kohath קְהָת, Merari מְרָרִי and Jochebed יוֹכֶבֶד;
- father of Libni לִבְנִי and Shimei שִׁמְעִי.
Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi, the third son of Israel (or 'Jacob') (Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16). He had two sons, Libni and Shimei, who became the heads of the Gershonite Levite clans (Exodus 6:17; Numbers 3:18, 21; 1 Chronicles 6:17, 20). The Gershonites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, along with the Kohathites and Merarites (Numbers 3:17; 1 Chronicles 6:1, 16).
During the wilderness wanderings, the Gershonites were responsible for the tabernacle curtains, coverings, screens, and related duties (Numbers 3:25-26; 4:24-28). They were counted in the census of the Levites (Numbers 3:22; 4:38-41) and were given wagons and oxen to transport their assigned parts of the tabernacle (Numbers 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 (Joshua 21:6, 27-33; 1 Chronicles 6:62, 71-76). Notable Gershonites include Asaph, a prominent musician and psalmist in King David's court (1 Chronicles 6:39-43), and Jahath, a Levite leader during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 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.
All entries for Gershon: גֵּרְשׁוֹן ☩ גֵּרְשֹׁם ☩ גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי