Gershonites Gershon
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]
GERSHON, GERSHONITES . The name Gershon is given to the eldest son of Levi, to whom a division of the Levites traced their descent ( Genesis 46:11 , Exodus 6:16 , Numbers 3:17 , 1 Chronicles 6:1; 1 Chronicles 6:16 [Gershom] 1 Chronicles 23:6 ). The title ‘Gershonites’ is found in Numbers 3:21; Numbers 3:23 f., Numbers 4:24; Numbers 4:27 f., Numbers 26:57 , Jos 21:33 , 1 Chronicles 23:7; 1 Chronicles 26:21 , 2 Chronicles 29:12; and of an individual, 1 Chronicles 26:21; 1 Chronicles 29:8; the ‘sons of Gershon’ ( Exodus 6:17 , Numbers 3:18; Numbers 3:25; Numbers 4:22; Numbers 4:36; Numbers 4:41; Numbers 7:7; Numbers 10:17 , Joshua 21:6; Joshua 21:27 ), or ‘of Gershom’ ( 1 Chronicles 6:17; 1Ch 6:62; 1 Chronicles 6:71; 1 Chronicles 15:7 ). They were subdivided into two groups, the Libnites and the Shimeites ( Numbers 3:21; Numbers 26:58 ), each being traced to a ‘son’ of Gershon ( Exodus 6:17 , Numbers 3:18 , 1Ch 6:17; 1 Chronicles 6:20 [42, Shimei is omitted from the genealogy]). ‘Ladan’ stands for Libni in 1 Chronicles 23:7 ff; 1 Chronicles 26:21 . From these families fragments of genealogies remain (see 1 Chronicles 23:8-11 ). Comparatively little is related of the Gershonites after the Exile. Certain of them are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:15 and Nehemiah 11:17 a, Nehemiah 11:22 as dwelling in Jerusalem immediately after the Return. Of the ‘sons of Asaph’ (Gershonites), 128 ( Ezra 2:41 ) or 148 ( Nehemiah 7:44 ) returned with Ezra to the city in b.c. 454. Asaphites led the music at the foundation of the Temple ( Ezra 3:10 ); and certain of them blew trumpets in the procession at the dedication of the city walls ( Nehemiah 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 ( Numbers 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 ( Numbers 3:25 f., Numbers 4:24 ff., Numbers 10:17 ), for which they were given two wagons and four oxen ( Numbers 7:7 ); and they were superintended by Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron ( Numbers 4:33 , Numbers 7:8 ). (2) After the settlement in Palestine, thirteen cities were assigned to them ( Joshua 21:6; Joshua 21:27-33 = 1 Chronicles 6:62; 1 Chronicles 6:71-76 ). (3) In David’s reign the Chronicler relates that the Temple music was managed partly by Asaph, a Gershonite, and his family ( 1 Chronicles 6:39-43; 1 Chronicles 25:1 f., 1Ch 25:6 , 1 Chronicles 25:8 a, 1 Chronicles 25:14 1 Chronicles 25:14; and see 1 Chronicles 15:7; 1 Chronicles 15:17-19 ). David divided the Levites into courses ‘according to the sons of Levi’ ( 1 Chronicles 23:6; Gershonites, 1 Chronicles 23:7-11 ); and particular offices of Gershonites are stated in 1 Chronicles 26:21 f. (4) Jahaziel, an Asaphite, prophesied to Jehoshaphat before the battle of En-gedi ( 2 Chronicles 20:14-17 ). (5) They took part in the cleansing of the Temple under Hezekiah ( 2 Chronicles 29:12 f.). Cf. also Kohath.
A. H. M‘Neile.
Morrish Bible Dictionary [2]
Eldest son of Levi, born before the children of Israel entered Egypt, and his descendants. Genesis 46:11; 1 Chronicles 6:1; 1 Chronicles 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. Numbers 3:17-25; Numbers 4:22-38; Numbers 7:7 . They had thirteen of the Levitical cities. Joshua 21:6,27-33 . 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. 1 Chronicles 23:6,7; 1 Chronicles 25:2; 1 Chronicles 26:20-22; 1 Chronicles 29:8 . See GERSHOM, No. 2.
