Lexical Summary Gereshunni: Gershonite Original Word: גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gershonite, sons of Gershon Patronymically from Gershown; a Gereshonite or descendant of Gereshon -- Gershonite, sons of Gershon. see HEBREW Gershown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Gereshon Definition desc. of Gershon NASB Translation Gershonite (2), Gershonites (11). Brown-Driver-Briggs גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי adjective, of a people with article as substantive collective Numbers 3:21,23,24; Numbers 4:24,27,28; Numbers 26:57; Joshua 21:33; 1 Chronicles 23:7; 1 Chronicles 26:21; 2Chronicles 29:12; with article as adjective singular masculine 1 Chronicles 26:21; 1 Chronicles 29:8. Topical Lexicon Identification Gershonī (singular) or Gershonites (collective) designates the descendants of Gershon, the first-born son of Levi and grandson of Jacob. Wherever the name occurs, it functions not merely as a family surname but as a covenantal badge identifying a clan set apart for holy service within the tribe of Levi. Levitical Heritage When the LORD separated the tribe of Levi for tabernacle ministry, He further divided Levi into the houses of Kohath, Gershon, and Merari (Numbers 3:17). From the outset the Gershonites shared equally in the Levites’ substitutionary role: “I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every firstborn” (Numbers 3:12). This election grounded their privileges, defined their duties, and secured for them a perpetual inheritance of God-appointed service. Assigned Duties in the Wilderness The Gershonites received specific tabernacle responsibilities: While the Kohathites bore the sacred furniture and the Merarites the structural frames, the Gershonites cared for those elements that formed the tabernacle’s visible enclosure—fabrics that signified God’s dwelling among His people. Encampment and Transportation Responsibilities In camp their tents lay “behind the tabernacle, toward the west” (Numbers 3:23). This location placed them closest to the Most Holy Place, underscoring their honored role. On the march they followed the standard order, bearing their assigned loads by ox-carts granted expressly for their heavier fabric burdens (Numbers 7:7). Their leader, Eliasaph son of Lael (Numbers 3:24), coordinated a corps of 2,630 men of fighting age at Sinai (Numbers 4:40). Census and Covenant Continuity A generation later the plains of Moab census still lists them prominently: “These were the Levites enrolled by their clans:... of Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites” (Numbers 26:57). The preservation of the clan across the wilderness wanderings testifies to divine faithfulness to His covenant servants. Inheritance in Canaan Although Levites received no territorial tribe-portion, the Gershonites were allotted thirteen cities spread through Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and half-Manasseh (Joshua 21:6, 27-33). “Kedesh in Galilee, Hammoth-dor, and Kartan—three cities” (Joshua 21:33) formed part of their northern distribution, situating them strategically among Israel to teach the Law and guard worship purity. Genealogical Branches and Temple Service By the monarchy the clan had branched into major houses: Ladan (also Libni) and Shimei (1 Chronicles 23:7). David organized 1,300 Gershonites for temple duties, gatekeeping, and treasuries (1 Chronicles 23:8-11; 26:21-22). During the great offering for the future temple, “whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD under the care of Jehiel the Gershonite” (1 Chronicles 29:8), evidencing their trusted stewardship. Role in Hezekiah’s Reformation Centuries later the clan again surfaces at a pivotal moment of covenant renewal: “From the Gershonites: Joah son of Zimmah, and Eden son of Joah” (2 Chronicles 29:12). These men helped cleanse the temple, demonstrating that Gershonite zeal for God’s house endured through Judah’s revivals. Spiritual Lessons 1. Faithful obscurity: Though not as prominent as priests, the Gershonites handled the veils that signified God’s nearness, illustrating that unseen labor sustains public worship. In every biblical scene the Gershonites reinforce the truth that all components of God’s house, from the golden ark to the simplest curtain, require consecrated hands; and every obedient servant, known or largely unknown, shares in the privilege of displaying the glory of the dwelling God. Forms and Transliterations הַגֵּ֣רְשֻׁנִּ֔י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֔י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֜י הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃ הגרשני הגרשני׃ לַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י לַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֖י לגרשני hag·gê·rə·šun·nî haggereshunNi haggêrəšunnî lag·gê·rə·šun·nî laggereshunNi laggêrəšunnîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 3:21 HEB: הֵ֔ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃ NAS: [were] the families of the Gershonites. KJV: these [are] the families of the Gershonites. INT: like the families of the Gershonites Numbers 3:23 Numbers 3:24 Numbers 4:24 Numbers 4:27 Numbers 4:28 Numbers 26:57 Joshua 21:33 1 Chronicles 23:7 1 Chronicles 26:21 1 Chronicles 26:21 1 Chronicles 29:8 2 Chronicles 29:12 13 Occurrences |
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