Numbers 3:21-26·~1 min

The Gershonites

The Gershonite clans are named and counted, then stationed behind the tabernacle on the west under Eliasaph. Their charge includes the tabernacle's coverings, entrance curtains, courtyard hangings, and cords.

F²¹rom Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans. ²²The number of all the males a month old or more was 7,500. ²³The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle, ²⁴and the leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. ²⁵The 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, ²⁶the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, and the cords— all the service for these items.

Section summaryThe Gershonite clans are counted, placed west of the tabernacle, and given a leader. Their work centers on the tabernacle's coverings, curtains, and cords, the fabric boundaries that surround the holy place.

Role in the chapterThis section begins the clan-by-clan distribution of Levi around the sanctuary. It shows that service is organized not only by lineage but also by location and assigned objects.