Firstborn son of Levi; head of the Gershonite Levites.
Gershon
Named in 34 verses across 6 books, first in Genesis 46:11.
גֵּרְשׁוֹןGershon
גֵּרְשֹׁםGershom
גֵּרְשֻׁנִּיGershonite
Also called Gershom, Gershonite.
The name means “his banishment; the change of pilgrimage.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Father
- Levi
- People
- Tribe of Levi
About Gershon Written by AI
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; 1 Chronicles 6:17). 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). During the wilderness wanderings, the Gershonites were responsible for the tabernacle curtains, coverings, screens, and related duties (Numbers 3:25 to 26). They were counted in the census of the Levites (Numbers 3:22) 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; 1 Chronicles 6:62). Notable Gershonites include Asaph, a prominent musician and psalmist in King David's court (1 Chronicles 6:39 to 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.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
=Ger’shom expulsion, the eldest of Levi’s three sons (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16).
In the wilderness the sons of Gershon had charge of the fabrics of the tabernacle when it was moved from place to place, the curtains, veils, tent-hangings (Num. 3: 21-26). Thirteen Levitical cities fell to the lot of the Gershonites (Josh. 21:27-33).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Genesis 46:11
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- Exodus 6:16
These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.
- Exodus 6:17
The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans.
- 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 3:23
The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle,
- Numbers 3:24
and the leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.
- 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,
- Numbers 4:24
This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport:
- Numbers 4:27
All the service of the Gershonites—all their transport duties and other work—is to be done at the direction of Aaron and his sons; you are to assign to them all that they are responsible to carry.
- Numbers 4:28
This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
- Numbers 4:38
Then the Gershonites were numbered by their clans and families,
- Numbers 4:41
These were counted from the Gershonite clans who served at the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted at the LORD’s command.
- Numbers 7:7
He gave the Gershonites two carts and four oxen, as their service required,
- Numbers 10:17
Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.
- Numbers 26:57
Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari.
- 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.
- 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.
- Joshua 21:33
In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands, were given to the Gershonite clans.
- 1 Chronicles 6:1
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- 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.
- 1 Chronicles 6:20
Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
- 1 Chronicles 6:43
the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
- 1 Chronicles 6:62
The Gershomites, according to their clans, were allotted thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan.
- 1 Chronicles 6:71
The Gershomites received the following: From the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh they were given Golan in Bashan and also Ashtaroth, together with their pasturelands.
- 1 Chronicles 15:7
from the Gershomites, Joel the chief and 130 of his relatives;
- 1 Chronicles 23:6
Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- 1 Chronicles 23:7
The Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei.
- 1 Chronicles 26:21
From the descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and heads of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli,
- 1 Chronicles 29:8
Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, under the care of Jehiel the Gershonite.
- 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;
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.