Numbers 3:23
New International Version
The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle.

New Living Translation
They were assigned the area to the west of the Tabernacle for their camp.

English Standard Version
The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west,

Berean Standard Bible
The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle,

King James Bible
The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.

New King James Version
The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward.

New American Standard Bible
The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward,

NASB 1995
The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward,

NASB 1977
The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward,

Legacy Standard Bible
The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward,

Amplified Bible
The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west,

Christian Standard Bible
The Gershonite clans camped behind the tabernacle on the west side,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Gershonite clans camped behind the tabernacle on the west side,

American Standard Version
The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.

English Revised Version
The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The families descended from Gershon put up their tents on the west side behind the tent of meeting.

Good News Translation
This clan was to camp on the west behind the Tent,

International Standard Version
The families of the descendants of Gershon encamped behind the tent toward the west.

Majority Standard Bible
The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle,

NET Bible
The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle toward the west.

New Heart English Bible
The families of the Gershonites shall camp behind the tabernacle westward.

Webster's Bible Translation
The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.

World English Bible
The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The families of the Gershonite encamp westward behind the Dwelling Place.

Young's Literal Translation
The families of the Gershonite, behind the tabernacle, do encamp westward.

Smith's Literal Translation
The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tent to the sea.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
These shall pitch behind the tabernacle on the west,

Catholic Public Domain Version
These shall encamp behind the tabernacle, toward the west,

New American Bible
The clans of the Gershonites camped behind the tabernacle, to the west.

New Revised Standard Version
The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The family of Gershun shall be camping behind the Tabernacle from the West.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The families of the Gershonites were to pitch behind the tabernacle westward;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the sons of Gedson shall encamp westward behind the tabernacle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Gershonites
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.…

Cross References
Exodus 6:16-20
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. ...

Numbers 1:53
But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.”

Numbers 2:17
In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place under his standard.

Numbers 10:17
Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.

Numbers 18:2-6
But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. / And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. / They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you. ...

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 23:12-13
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.

1 Chronicles 23:24-26
These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD. / For David had said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever. / So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.”

1 Chronicles 23:32
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.

2 Chronicles 29:11
Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”

Nehemiah 12:23-26
As for the descendants of Levi, the family heads up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib were recorded in the Book of the Chronicles. / The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their associates, who stood across from them to give praise and thanksgiving as one section alternated with the other, as prescribed by David the man of God. / Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. ...

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 9:6-10
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. ...

Hebrews 9:21-22
In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. / According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 10:11
Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.


Treasury of Scripture

The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.

Numbers 1:53
But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.

Numbers 2:17
Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.

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Camp Clans Encamp Encamped Gershonite Gershonites House Pitch Placed Tabernacle Tents West Westward
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Camp Clans Encamp Encamped Gershonite Gershonites House Pitch Placed Tabernacle Tents West Westward
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














The Gershonite clans
The Gershonites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, descended from Gershon, the eldest son of Levi. In the Hebrew context, the name "Gershon" is thought to mean "exile" or "sojourner," reflecting perhaps the transient nature of the Levites' service and their role in the wilderness journey. The Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle's curtains, coverings, and other fabric elements, highlighting their integral role in maintaining the sacred space where God's presence dwelled among His people.

were to camp
The phrase indicates a divinely ordained arrangement, emphasizing the order and structure God established for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The Levites, including the Gershonites, were set apart for specific duties, and their camping arrangement was not arbitrary but commanded by God. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His instructions.

behind the tabernacle
The positioning of the Gershonites "behind the tabernacle" signifies their protective and supportive role. The tabernacle, being the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence, required careful guarding and maintenance. The Gershonites' position underscores their responsibility in safeguarding the holy space, ensuring that the tabernacle was always ready for worship and service.

on the west side
The west side of the tabernacle was significant in the camp's layout, as each side had specific tribes and Levite families assigned to it. The west side, being the rear of the tabernacle, was a place of protection and support. This arrangement reflects the meticulous planning and divine order in the Israelite camp, where every tribe and family had a designated place and purpose. The westward position of the Gershonites also symbolizes their role in supporting the spiritual center of the community, ensuring that the worship of God remained central to the life of Israel.

(23) Behind the tabernacle westward.--As the position of the twelve tribes in respect of the tent of meeting had been already determined, so in this and the following verses the position of the priests and Levites is fixed. On the east side of the tent Moses and Aaron and Aaron's sons were to encamp, on the south the Kohathites, on the west the Gershonites, on the north the Merarites.

Verse 23. - Shall pitch. These directions as to the position and duties of the Levitical families retain the form in which they were originally given. The way in which they are mixed up with direct narrative affords a striking proof of the inartificial character of these sacred writings. Behind the tabernacle westward. The tabernacle opened or looked eastward towards the sunrise.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Gershonite
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י (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

were to camp
יַחֲנ֖וּ (ya·ḥă·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

on the west,
יָֽמָּה׃ (yām·māh)
Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

behind
אַחֲרֵ֧י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the tabernacle,
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן (ham·miš·kān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle


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OT Law: Numbers 3:23 The families of the Gershonites shall encamp (Nu Num.)
Numbers 3:22
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