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(Heb. Gershon', âֵּøְùׁåֹï , expulsion, from âָּøִùׁ ,, to drive out; Sept. in Genesis Ãçñóώí , elsewhere [and usually there also in the Cod. Alex.] Ãåäóώí ; Joseph. Ãçñóüìçò , Ant. 2:7, 4), the eldest of the three sons of Levi, apparently born before the migration of Jacob's family into Egypt (Gen_46:11; Exo_6:16). B.C. cir. 1895. But though the eldest born, the families of Gershon were outstripped in fame by their younger brethren of Kohath, from whom sprang Moses and the priestly line of Aaron (see 1Ch_6:2-15). Gershon's sons were Libni and Shimi (Exo_6:17; Num_3:18; Num_3:21; 1Ch_6:17), and their families were duly recognized in the reign of David, when the permanent arrangements for the service of Jehovah were made (1Ch_23:7-11). At this time Gershon was represented by the famous Asaph "the seer," whose genealogy is given in 1Ch_6:39-43, and also, in part, 20, 21. The family is mentioned once again as taking part in the reforms of king Hezekiah (2Ch_29:12, where it should be observed that the sons of Asaph are reckoned as distinct from the Gershonites). At the census in the wilderness of Sinai the whole number of the males of the Bene-Gershon was 7500 (Num_3:22), midway between the Kohathites and the Merarites. At the same date the efficient men were 2630 (4:40). On the occasion of the second census the numbers of the Levites are given only in gross (Num_26:62). The sons of Gershon had charge of the fabrics of the tabernacle-the coverings, curtains, hangings, and cords (Num_3:25-26; Num_4:25-26); for the transport of these they had two covered wagons and four oxen (Num_7:3; Num_7:7). In the encampent their station was behind ( àִçֲøֵé ) the tabernacle, on the west side (Num_3:23). When on the march they went with the Merarites in the rear of the first body of three tribes — Judah, Issachar, Zebulun — with Reuben behind them. In the apportionment of the Levitical citian, thirteen fell to the lot of the Gershonites. These were in the northern tribes — two in Manasseh beyond Jordan, four in Issacbar, four in Asher, and three in Naphtali. All of these are said to have possessed "suburbs," and two were cities of refuge (Jos_21:27-33; 1Ch_6:62; 1Ch_6:1-81). It was not easy to see what special duties fell to the lot of the Gershonites in the service of the tabernacle after its erection at Jerusalem, or in the Temple. The sons of Teduthun "prophesied with a harp," and the soils of Heman "lifted up the horn," but for the sons of Assaph no instrument is mentioned (1Ch_25:15). They were appointed to "prophesy" (that is, probably, to utter, or sing, inspired words, ðִëָּà ), perleaps after the special promnpting of David himself (1Ch_25:2). Others of the Gershonites, sons of Laadan, had charge of the "treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the holy things" (1Ch_26:20-22), among which precious stones are specially named (1Ch_29:8).
In Chronicles the name is, with two exceptions (1Ch_6:1; 1Ch_23:6), given in the slightly different form of "Gershom." SEE GERSHONITE.