Numbers 3:21
New International Version
To Gershon belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites; these were the Gershonite clans.

New Living Translation
The descendants of Gershon were composed of the clans descended from Libni and Shimei.

English Standard Version
To Gershon belonged the clan of the Libnites and the clan of the Shimeites; these were the clans of the Gershonites.

Berean Standard Bible
From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.

King James Bible
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

New King James Version
From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites; these were the families of the Gershonites.

New American Standard Bible
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites.

NASB 1995
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites.

NASB 1977
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites.

Legacy Standard Bible
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites.

Amplified Bible
Of Gershon were the families of the Libnites and of the Shimeites. These are the families of the Gershonites.

Christian Standard Bible
The Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan came from Gershon; these were the Gershonite clans.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan came from Gershon; these were the Gershonite clans.

American Standard Version
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

Contemporary English Version
The two Gershon clans were the Libnites and Shimeites,

English Revised Version
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To [Gershon] belonged the families descended from Libni and Shimei. These were the families descended from Gershon.

Good News Translation
The clan of Gershon was composed of the families of Libni and Shimei.

International Standard Version
The families of Libni and Shimei were descendants of Gershon. As families of the descendants of Gershon,

Majority Standard Bible
From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.

NET Bible
From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites.

New Heart English Bible
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

Webster's Bible Translation
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

World English Bible
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites. These are the families of the Gershonites.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Of Gershon—the family of the Libnite and the family of the Shimite; these are the families of the Gershonite.

Young's Literal Translation
Of Gershon is the family of the Libnite, and the family of the Shimite; these are the families of the Gershonite.

Smith's Literal Translation
To Gershon the families of the Libnites, and the families of the Shimites: these they of the families of the Gershonites.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Of Gerson were two families, the Lebnites, and the Semeites:

Catholic Public Domain Version
From Gershon were two families: the Libnites, and the Shimeites.

New American Bible
To Gershon belonged the clan of the Libnites and the clan of the Shimeites; these were the clans of the Gershonites.

New Revised Standard Version
To Gershon belonged the clan of the Libnites and the clan of the Shimeites; these were the clans of the Gershonites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites; these are the families of the Gershonites.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For Gershun: the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites, these are the families of Gershun.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites; these are the families of the Gershonites.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
To Gedson belongs the family of Lobeni, and the family of Semei: these are the families of Gedson.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Gershonites
21From 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.…

Cross References
Exodus 6:17
The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans.

1 Chronicles 6:17
These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.

1 Chronicles 23:12-13
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four in all. / The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Exodus 6:16-19
These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years. / The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans. / The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years. ...

1 Chronicles 6:1-3
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. / The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. / The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 23:6
Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 23:30-32
They were also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the LORD, and likewise in the evening. / Whenever burnt offerings were presented to the LORD on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, they were to serve regularly before the LORD in the numbers prescribed for them. / So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 24:20-31
Now these were the rest of the descendants of Levi: From the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah. / As for Rehabiah, from his sons: The first was Isshiah. / From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath. ...

1 Chronicles 26:20-28
Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things. / From the descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and heads of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli, / the sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD. ...

1 Chronicles 9:14-16
From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a descendant of Merari; / Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; / Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

1 Chronicles 15:4-10
Then he gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites: / From the Kohathites, Uriel the chief and 120 of his relatives; / from the Merarites, Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives; ...

1 Chronicles 15:11-15
David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. / And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. / It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” ...

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

1 Chronicles 16:37-42
So David left Asaph and his associates there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements, / along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers. / And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon ...

1 Chronicles 25:1-8
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

Numbers 3:18
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.

Jump to Previous
Belonged Clans Families Family Gershonite Gershonites Shimeites Shim'e-Ites
Jump to Next
Belonged Clans Families Family Gershonite Gershonites Shimeites Shim'e-Ites
Numbers 3
1. The sons of Aaron
5. The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn
14. Are numbered by their families
21. The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites
27. Of the Kohathites
33. Of the Merarites
38. The place and charge of Moses and Aaron
40. The firstborn are freed by the Levites
44. The balances are refunded














From Gershon
The name "Gershon" is derived from the Hebrew root "גרש" (garash), meaning "to drive out" or "to expel." This etymology may reflect the historical context of the Israelites' journey, as they were driven out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness. Gershon was the eldest son of Levi, and his descendants played a crucial role in the Levitical duties. The Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle's curtains, coverings, and hangings, symbolizing the protective and encompassing nature of God's presence among His people. This highlights the importance of service and dedication in the life of faith, as the Gershonites' work was essential for the worship and spiritual life of Israel.

came the Gershonite clans
The term "clans" refers to the subdivisions within the tribe of Levi, specifically those descending from Gershon. In Hebrew, the word for "clan" is "משפחה" (mishpachah), which signifies a family or a group of related families. The organization into clans underscores the structured and orderly nature of the Israelite community, reflecting God's design for His people to live in harmony and unity. The Gershonite clans were integral to the functioning of the tabernacle, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the community in maintaining the worship and service of God.

of the Libnites and Shimeites
The "Libnites" and "Shimeites" were the two main families within the Gershonite clans. The name "Libnites" is likely derived from "לבן" (lavan), meaning "white," which could symbolize purity and holiness, essential qualities for those serving in the sacred space of the tabernacle. The "Shimeites" may be connected to the Hebrew root "שמע" (shama), meaning "to hear" or "to listen," suggesting a posture of attentiveness and obedience to God's commands. These names remind us of the virtues required for those who serve in God's presence: purity, holiness, and a listening heart. The division into these families also highlights the diversity within the body of believers, each with unique roles and responsibilities, yet all contributing to the greater purpose of glorifying God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
From Gershon came
לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן (lə·ḡê·rə·šō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1648: Gershon -- a son of Levi

the Libnite
הַלִּבְנִ֔י (hal·liḇ·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3846: Descendant of Libni

clan
מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ (miš·pa·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

and the Shimeite
הַשִּׁמְעִ֑י (haš·šim·‘î)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8097: Shimeites -- a Shimite

clan;
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת (ū·miš·pa·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

these
אֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

were the Gershonite
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃ (hag·gê·rə·šun·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1649: Gershonites -- descendant of Gershon

clans.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת (miš·pə·ḥōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people


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OT Law: Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon was the family (Nu Num.)
Numbers 3:20
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