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Gershon

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeviteSon

Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi and the ancestor of the Gershonite Levites, who were responsible for the tabernacle curtains, coverings, and related duties.

Gershon illustration
Gershon

Biography

Gershon (also spelled Gershom) was the eldest of Levi's three sons, born before Israel's descent into Egypt. His brothers were Kohath and Merari (Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16). Through Gershon arose two principal Levitical families: the Libnites and the Shimeites (Numbers 3:18). During the wilderness period, the Gershonites were assigned specific responsibilities for transporting the tabernacle. Under the Mosaic organization of the camp and march, the Gershonites cared for the tabernacle's fabric components, its curtains, coverings, screens, and cords, and were directed by Ithamar, son of Aaron (Numbers 4:21–28). They camped on the west side of the tabernacle and were allotted thirteen Levitical cities in the promised land. Gershon himself is the eponymous ancestor of an entire Levitical division whose service sustained Israel's worship.

Significance

Gershon stands as the progenitor of a vital priestly clan whose ministry made corporate Israelite worship possible. The Gershonites' responsibility for the tabernacle's outer coverings and curtains, the boundary between holy and common space, gave their work a profound theological dimension. Every time Israel struck camp and moved through the wilderness, the Gershonites ensured the dwelling place of God traveled with them, a tangible expression of divine accompaniment. Gershon's lineage thus embodies the truth that God's presence among his people requires devoted, ordered service, not only from leaders, but from families committed to the ongoing work of maintaining sacred space and enabling communal worship.

Verse Appearances (34)

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
  3. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources