Keraia
Numbers 3

Numbers 3:21

The Gershonites · Numbers 3:21–26
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Translations

Modern
From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.
Traditional
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
Literal
From Gershon is the family of the Libnite, and the family of the Shimite; these were the clans of the Gershonite.
Latin
De Gerson fuere familiæ duæ, Lebnitica, et Semeitica:

Original

Hebrew
English
From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.

Notes

Numbers 3:14–39

  • This first phase of a two-part registration of the tribe of Levi summarized each family's special duties. 4:1–33 describes this in more detail (see 4:34–49 for the second phase). This count did not relate to military duties, so it included male Levites from the age of one month (3:40–41).

  • Three family groups descend from the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. These clans, often called the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites, later inherited the "cities of refuge" (Joshua 21). They also had various important roles in the Jerusalem temple (2 Chronicles 29:3–17).

Numbers 3:1–4:49

Israel's priests and Levites had duties like moving, assembling, protecting, and maintaining the Tent of Meeting. The way God organized the tribes highlighted his concern for these priestly tasks.

Parallels

Numbers 4:21–28 1 Chronicles 23:7–11

People

Gershon: Firstborn son of Levi; head of the Gershonite Levites Libni: Son of Gershon; grandson of Levi Shimei: Son of Gershon and grandson of Levi

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Census Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Gershon, Gershonites Izehar, Izeharites Kohath, Kohathites Libni Libnite Merari, Merarite Numbers, Book of Shimei Shimeite Tabernacle Uzziel

Topics

Census: The Numbering of Israel by Moses Gershon: Son of Levi Levites: Enrollment of, at Mount Sinai Levites: Functions of had Charge of the Tabernacle in the Encampments and on the March Levites: Gershonites and Their Duties Libni: Son of Gershon: Descendants Called Libnites The Levites: Families, As Numbered of Gershom