Boy Old Testament Known
Gershon
his banishment; the change of pilgrimage
גֵּרְשׁוֹן ge.re.shon
Gershon (Hebrew: גֵּרְשׁוֹן, ge.re.shon) means “his banishment; the change of pilgrimage”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 34 verses across 6 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 38 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Abdi in 2 Chronicles 29.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Gershon
son of Levi; related to Zimmah; father of Libni
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 34 across 6 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 38 | Rising |
| All-time total | 977 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 38 in 2024 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | NJ | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 46:11 |
| Last appears | 2 Chronicles 29:12 |
| Cross-references | 330 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Baaseiah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Levi.
- Merari attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Levi.
- Kohath attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Levi.
- Libni co-occurrence Appears with Libni in Numbers 3.
- Shimei co-occurrence Appears with Shimei in Numbers 3.
- Merari co-occurrence Appears with Merari in 1 Chronicles 6.
- Jehiel co-occurrence Appears with Jehiel in 1 Chronicles 6.
- Kohath co-occurrence Appears with Kohath in 1 Chronicles 6.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.11;
son of: Levi (H3878);
brother of: Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115);
father of: Libni (H3845) and Shimei (H8096); also called Gershom at 1Ch.6.16,17,20,43,62,71; 15.7;
§ Gershon or Gershom = "exile"
firstborn son of Levi born before Jacob's family went to Egypt
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.
The biblical story
Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi, the third son of Israel (or 'Jacob') (Gen.46.11; Exo.6.16). He had two sons, Libni and Shimei, who became the heads of the Gershonite Levite clans (Exo.6.17; Num.3.18, 21; 1Ch.6.17, 20). The Gershonites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, along with the Kohathites and Merarites (Num.3.17; 1Ch.6.1, 16).
During the wilderness wanderings, the Gershonites were responsible for the tabernacle curtains, coverings, screens, and related duties (Num.3.25-26; 4.24-28). They were counted in the census of the Levites (Num.3.22; 4.38-41) and were given wagons and oxen to transport their assigned parts of the tabernacle (Num.7.7).
In the division of the Promised Land, the Gershonites were allocated thirteen cities across the territories of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and eastern Manasseh (Jos.21.6, 27-33; 1Ch.6.62, 71-76). Notable Gershonites include Asaph, a prominent musician and psalmist in King David's court (1Ch.6.39-43), and Jahath, a Levite leader during the reign of King Hezekiah (2Ch.29.12).
The Gershonites played a significant role in the transportation, setup, and maintenance of the tabernacle, and later in the music and worship of the temple. Their dedicated service, along with that of the other Levite clans, was essential to the proper functioning of Israel's religious life.
Key verses
Gershon appears in 34 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Genesis 46:11 -
And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.
Exodus 6:16 -
The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
Exodus 6:17 -
And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
Numbers 3:17 -
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.
Numbers 3:18
Show all 34 references
Genesis (1)
- Genesis 46:11
Exodus (2)
- Exodus 6:16
- Exodus 6:17
Numbers (15)
- Numbers 3:17
- Numbers 3:18
- Numbers 3:21
- Numbers 3:23
- Numbers 3:24
- Numbers 3:25
- Numbers 4:22
- Numbers 4:24
- Numbers 4:27
- Numbers 4:28
- Numbers 4:38
- Numbers 4:41
- Numbers 7:7
- Numbers 10:17
- Numbers 26:57
Joshua (3)
- Joshua 21:6
- Joshua 21:27
- Joshua 21:33
1 Chronicles (12)
- 1 Chronicles 6:1
- 1 Chronicles 6:16
- 1 Chronicles 6:17
- 1 Chronicles 6:20
- 1 Chronicles 6:43
- 1 Chronicles 6:62
- 1 Chronicles 6:71
- 1 Chronicles 15:7
- 1 Chronicles 23:6
- 1 Chronicles 23:7
- 1 Chronicles 26:21
- 1 Chronicles 29:8
2 Chronicles (1)
- 2 Chronicles 29:12