Gershon, Gershonites
Gershon, Gershonites
GERSHON, GERSHONITES.The name Gershon is given to the eldest son of Levi, to whom a division of the Levites traced their descent (Gen 46:11, Exo 6:16, Num 3:17, 1Ch 6:1; 1Ch 6:16 [Gershom] 1Ch 23:6). The title Gershonites is found in Num 3:21; Num 3:23 f., Num 4:24; Num 4:27 f., Num 26:57, Jos 21:33, 1Ch 23:7; 1Ch 26:21, 2Ch 29:12; and of an individual, 1Ch 26:21; 1Ch 29:8; the sons of Gershon (Exo 6:17, Num 3:18; Num 3:25; Num 4:22; Num 4:36; Num 4:41; Num 7:7; Num 10:17, Jos 21:6; Jos 21:27), or of Gershom (1Ch 6:17; 1Ch 6:62; 1Ch 6:71; 1Ch 15:7). They were subdivided into two groups, the Libnites and the Shimeites (Num 3:21; Num 26:58), each being traced to a son of Gershon (Exo 6:17, Num 3:18, 1Ch 6:17; 1Ch 6:20 [42, Shimei is omitted from the genealogy]). Ladan stands for Libni in 1Ch 23:7 ff; 1Ch 26:21. From these families fragments of genealogies remain (see 1Ch 23:8-11). Comparatively little is related of the Gershonites after the Exile. Certain of them are mentioned in 1Ch 9:15 and Neh 11:17 a, Neh 11:22 as dwelling in Jerusalem immediately after the Return. Of the sons of Asaph (Gershonites), 128 (Ezr 2:41) or 148 (Neh 7:44) returned with Ezra to the city in b.c. 454. Asaphites led the music at the foundation of the Temple (Ezr 3:10); and certain of them blew trumpets in the procession at the dedication of the city walls (Neh 12:25).
P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] and the Chronicler introduce the family into the earlier history. (1) During the desert wanderings the Gershonites were on the west side of the Tent (Num 3:23); their duty was to carry all the hangings which composed the Tent proper, and the outer coverings and the hangings of the court, with their cords (Num 3:25 f., Num 4:24 ff., Num 10:17), for which they were given two wagons and four oxen (Num 7:7); and they were superintended by Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron (Num 4:33, Num 7:8). (2) After the settlement in Palestine, thirteen cities were assigned to them (Jos 21:6; Jos 21:27-33 = 1Ch 6:62; 1Ch 6:71-76). (3) In Davids reign the Chronicler relates that the Temple music was managed partly by Asaph, a Gershonite, and his family (1Ch 6:39-43; 1Ch 25:1 f., 1Ch 25:6, 1Ch 25:8 a, 1Ch 25:10; 1Ch 25:12; 1Ch 25:14; and see 1Ch 15:7; 1Ch 15:17-19). David divided the Levites into courses according to the sons of Levi (1Ch 23:6; Gershonites, 1Ch 23:7-11); and particular offices of Gershonites are stated in 1Ch 26:21 f. (4) Jahaziel, an Asaphite, prophesied to Jehoshaphat before the battle of En-gedi (2Ch 20:14-17). (5) They took part in the cleansing of the Temple under Hezekiah (2Ch 29:12 f.). Cf. also Kohath.
A. H. MNeile.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Gershon, Gershonites
gurshon, gurshon-ts (, gereshon, written also gereshom): Firstborn of the 3 sons of Levi (Exo 6:16; Num 3:17; 1Ch 6:1, 1Ch 6:16 m; 1Ch 23:6). He had two sons, Libni, also known as Ladan (1Ch 23:7; 1Ch 26:21), and Shimei (Exo 6:17; Num 3:18; 1Ch 6:17, 1Ch 6:20), and consequently two groups of descendants, enumerated in the census taken in the Wilderness of Sinai (Num 3:21) and that in the Plains of Moab (Num 26:57). In the distribution of functions among the Levites, the Gershonites were charged with the carrying of the curtains, coverings, screens, hangings, cords and instruments of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting on the journeys in the wilderness, under the supervision of Ithamar the son of Aaron. Their function was thus more exalted than that of the Merarites, who carried the boards, and less so than that of the Kohathites, who carried the most holy utensils and symbols. The Gershonites were given two wagons with four oxen – half as many as the Merarites, according to their service (Num 7:7). Thirteen cities were assigned to the Gershonites in Northern Palestine by Eleazar and Joshua (Jos 21:6, Jos 21:27-33 parallel 1Ch 6:62, 1Ch 6:71-76).
Among the Gershonites who achieved distinction in later Biblical times was the family of Asaph, the singers from the time of David to the days of the Second Temple (1 Ch 6:31-47; 1Ch 25:1-7; 1Ch 15:7, 1Ch 15:17, 1Ch 15:19; 1Ch 16:5, 1Ch 16:7; 2Ch 25:15; Ezr 2:41; Ezr 3:10; Neh 11:17, Neh 11:22; Neh 12:35; 1Ch 9:15). Other Gershonites named are the heads of the fathers’ houses in the days of David in connection with the dividing of the Levites into courses (1Ch 23:7-11); the superintendents of the treasuries of the house of the Lord of the same time (1Ch 26:21, 1Ch 26:22; 1Ch 29:8); and, finally, Gershonites are mentioned among those who cleansed the house of the Lord in the days of Hezekiah (2Ch 29:12, 2Ch 29:13).
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Gershon, Gershonites
[Ger’shon] [Ger’shonites]
Eldest son of Levi, born before the children of Israel entered Egypt, and his descendants. Gen 46:11; 1Ch 6:1; 1Ch 23:6. At the numbering of the Israelites in the wilderness there were 7,500 Gershonites as a branch of the Levites. Their charge was the frame-work of the tabernacle and the tent, with the hangings and curtains. For the transport of these they had two wagons and four oxen. Num 3:17-25; Num 4:22-38; Num 7:7. They had thirteen of the Levitical cities. Jos 21:6; Jos 21:27-33. In the kingdom, under Asaph and his sons, they “prophesied according to the order of the king.” Others had charge of the “treasures of the house of God, and were over the treasures of the holy things,” and of the precious stones. 1Ch 23:6-7; 1Ch 25:2; 1Ch 26:20-22; 1Ch 29:8. See GERSHOM, No. 2.