Lexical Summary Gereshon or Gereshom: Gershon or Gershom Original Word: גֵּרְשׁוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gershon, Gershom Or Gershowm {gay-resh-ome'}; from garash; a refugee; Gereshon or Gereshom, an Israelite -- Gershon, Gershom. see HEBREW garash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom garash Definition a son of Levi NASB Translation Gershon (17). Brown-Driver-Briggs גֵּרְשׁוֺן proper name, masculine son of Levi (= גרשׁם 1 Chronicles 6:1; 1 Chronicles 6:28; 1 Chronicles 15:7 גרשׁום 1 Chronicles 6:2; 1 Chronicles 6:5; 1 Chronicles 6:47; 1 Chronicles 6:56) Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16,17; Numbers 3:17,18,21,25; Numbers 4:22,38,41; Numbers 7:7; Numbers 10:17; Numbers 26:57; Joshua 21:6,27; 1 Chronicles 5:27; 1 Chronicles 23:6 (particularly in expression sons of Gershon, i.e. family, descendants of Gershon Numbers 3:25; Numbers 4:22,38,41; Numbers 7:7; Numbers 10:17; Joshua 21:6,27; compare sons of Gershom 1 Chronicles 6:47; 1 Chronicles 6:56; 1 Chronicles 15:7). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Family LineGershon (gēršôn) is the firstborn son of Levi (Genesis 46:11) and progenitor of the Gershonite clan. Through his two sons, Libni and Shimei (Exodus 6:17), the clan quickly multiplied and became one of the three principal Levitical houses alongside Kohath and Merari. Their leader in the wilderness was Eliasaph son of Lael (Numbers 3:24). Placement in the Camp Numbers 3:23 records that “the Gershonite clans were to camp behind the tabernacle, on the west side.” Stationed opposite the entrance, they formed a protective rear guard and were the first Levites encountered when Israel marched forward (Numbers 10:17). Assigned Duties Numbers 3:25-26 summarizes their charge: “The responsibility of the Gershonites at the Tent of Meeting was the tabernacle —the tent and its covering, the curtain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, and the ropes —all the work relating to these.” Their ministry therefore focused on all fabric components: linen hangings, goats’-hair covering, leather outer covering, entrance screens, and cords. This work highlights the protective and beautifying aspects of worship, keeping the sanctuary veiled and orderly as Israel traveled. Logistics and Provision Because their burden was lighter than Merari’s framework yet heavier than Kohath’s holy objects, Moses allotted “two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites” (Numbers 7:7). Their census numbers were 7,500 males one month and older (Numbers 3:22) and 2,630 males aged thirty to fifty qualified for service (Numbers 4:38-41). The practical organization underscores God’s precision in assigning labor suited to each clan. Inheritance of Cities After conquest, Joshua allotted “thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan to the Gershonites” (Joshua 21:6). These included notable Levitical cities and two cities of refuge: Golan in Bashan and Kedesh in Galilee (Joshua 21:27, 32). Their northern distribution provided priestly presence to Israel’s frontier tribes. Later History and Temple Service 1 Chronicles expands their role in David’s era: • Temple singers: Asaph, a leading psalmist, was a descendant of Gershon (1 Chronicles 6:39-43). Thus the clan’s fabric duty in the wilderness matured into musical and administrative service in the permanent sanctuary, illustrating continuity of worship from tabernacle to temple. Theological Observations 1. Variety within unity: Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites had distinct tasks yet served one sanctuary, modeling diversity of gifts in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Gershon’s name appears seventeen times, but his legacy resonates wherever orderly, reverent, and beauty-enhancing ministry supports the central worship of Israel’s God. Forms and Transliterations גֵּרְשׁ֑וֹם גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן גֵרְשׁ֑וֹן גֵרְשׁ֔וֹן גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן גֵרְשׁ֗וֹן גֵרְשׁ֛וֹן גֵרְשׁוֹן֙ גֵרְשׁוֹן֮ גרשום גרשון לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן לְגֵרְשׁ֗וֹן לגרשון gê·rə·šō·wm gê·rə·šō·wn ḡê·rə·šō·wn gereShom gereShon gêrəšōwm gêrəšōwn ḡêrəšōwn lə·ḡê·rə·šō·wn leGereShon ləḡêrəšōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 46:11 HEB: וּבְנֵ֖י לֵוִ֑י גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן קְהָ֖ת וּמְרָרִֽי׃ NAS: of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, KJV: of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, INT: the sons of Levi Gershon Kohath and Merari Exodus 6:16 Exodus 6:17 Numbers 3:17 Numbers 3:18 Numbers 3:21 Numbers 3:25 Numbers 4:22 Numbers 4:38 Numbers 4:41 Numbers 7:7 Numbers 10:17 Numbers 26:57 Joshua 21:6 Joshua 21:27 1 Chronicles 6:1 1 Chronicles 15:7 17 Occurrences |
    |