גֵּרְשׁוֹן (ge.re.shon)
ge.re.shon
Gershon
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Gershon is a proper name found primarily in genealogical records within Numbers, Joshua, and 1 Chronicles. He was the firstborn son of Levi and the brother of Kohath and Merari, establishing him as a patriarch of one of Israel’s three main Levitical clans. The name appears in contexts that trace the lineage leading to the priestly duties assigned to his descendants.
The etymology links Gershon to the Hebrew root for "exile" or "sojourner." This meaning carries theological weight, as he was born before the family’s descent into Egypt, yet his name foreshadows the generations of displacement that would follow. In 1 Chronicles 6, the variation Gershom is used, reinforcing this connection to foreign lands and the experience of living as strangers in a strange land.
His role in Scripture is structural rather than narrative. The sources highlight his position as the ancestor of the Gershonites, who were tasked with caring for the tabernacle’s curtains and coverings. This assignment reflects a legacy defined by service and mobility, mirroring the name’s implication of wandering and temporary residence within the broader story of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Gershon’s name points to a life marked by movement and sojourning. As the firstborn son of Levi, he became the ancestor of a clan tasked with carrying the heavy curtains and coverings of the tabernacle. Their duty was not static; it required packing up and moving whenever Israel traveled. This mirrors the experience of many believers who feel like strangers in this world, never quite settling into a permanent home here.
There is comfort in knowing that God assigns purpose even to those roles that involve transport and transition. The Gershonites handled the outer layers of worship, ensuring the sanctuary remained intact during journeys. Your own life may feel like a series of transitions, but these moments are part of a larger story where God provides direction and rest.
Ultimately, this lineage reminds us that our true citizenship is elsewhere. While we serve in temporary dwellings, we look forward to the eternal home prepared by God. Trust that He guides your steps through every season of change, turning your sojourning into a testimony of His faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gershon13×
- to/ Gershon1×
- of/ Gershon1×
- [belonged] to/ Gershon1×
- Gershom1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גֵּרְשׁ֕וֹן3×
- גֵרְשׁוֹן֙2×
- גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן2×
- גֵרְשׁ֑וֹן2×
- לְ/גֵרְשׁ֗וֹן1×
- לְ/גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן1×
- לְ/גֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן1×
- גֵּרְשׁ֑וֹם1×
- גֵרְשׁוֹן֮1×
- גֵרְשׁ֛וֹן1×
- גֵרְשׁ֗וֹן1×
- גֵרְשׁ֔וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 46:11
The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
This verse establishes Gershon as the foundational patriarch of one of Israel's three Levitical clans during the family's settlement in Egypt.
-
Numbers 3:25
The duty of the sons of Gershon in the Tent of Meeting shall be the tabernacle, the tent, its covering, the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting,
It specifies the unique burden of the Gershonites, who were responsible for transporting the tabernacle’s curtains and coverings rather than the sacred vessels themselves.
-
Joshua 21:6
The children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, out of the tribe of Asher, out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
This occurrence shows the fulfillment of God's promise by assigning specific cities to Gershon's descendants as their permanent inheritance in the land.