Numbers 3:21
Numbers 3:21 in Multiple Translations
From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
From Gershon come the Libnites and the Shimeites; these are the families of the Gershonites.
The family of Libni and the family of Shimei came from Gershon. These were the families of Gershon.
Of Gershon came the familie of the Libnites, and the familie of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
Of Gershon [is] the family of the Libnite, and the family of the Shimite; these are the families of the Gershonite.
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites. These are the families of the Gershonites.
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
Of Gerson were two families, the Lebnites, and the Semeites:
The two clans descended from Gershon are those that were descended from his sons Libni and Shimei.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:21
BAB
Word Study
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Numbers 3:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְ/גֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙
הַ/לִּבְנִ֔י
וּ/מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
הַ/שִּׁמְעִ֑י
אֵ֣לֶּה
הֵ֔ם
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
הַ/גֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי
לְ/גֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן
Gêrᵉshôwn
H1648
Gershon
Prep | N-proper
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fs
הַ/לִּבְנִ֔י
Libnîy
H3846
Libnite
Art | Ngmsa
וּ/מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Conj | N-fs
הַ/שִּׁמְעִ֑י
Shimʻîy
H8097
Shimeite
Art | Ngmsa
אֵ֣לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Pron
הֵ֔ם
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fp
הַ/גֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי
Gêrᵉshunnîy
H1649
Gershonite
Art | Ngmsa
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:21
לְ/גֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן
Gêrᵉshôwn
H1648
"Gershon"
Prep | N-proper
Gershon was a son of Levi and an ancestor of the tribe of Levi, which played a key role in the priesthood and worship of the Israelites. He is mentioned in books like Genesis and Chronicles, and his name means 'exile'.
Definition: 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
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: Gershon, Gershom. See also: Genesis 46:11; Numbers 4:38; 1 Chronicles 15:7.
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fs
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/לִּבְנִ֔י
Libnîy
H3846
"Libnite"
Art | Ngmsa
A Libnite was a descendant of Libni, a man from the tribe of Levi. Libni was the son of Gershon and grandson of Levi, and his descendants were known as Libnites.
Definition: Someone descended from Libni who was a man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.17; son of: Gershon (H1648); brother of: Shimei (H8096G); father of: Jehieli= Jehiel (H3171H), Zetham (H2241), Joel (H3100O); also called Jahath at 1Ch.6.43; Ladan (KJV: Laadan) at 1Ch.23.7,9; 26.21; Group of liv.ni (לִבְנִי "Libni" H3845) § Libnites, of Libni "white" the descendants of Libni
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Libnites. See also: Numbers 3:21; Numbers 26:58.
וּ/מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
Conj | N-fs
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/שִּׁמְעִ֑י
Shimʻîy
H8097
"Shimeite"
Art | Ngmsa
A Shimeite refers to the descendants of Shimei, a man from the tribe of Levi who lived during the time of the Exodus and Wilderness. His descendants are mentioned in the book of Exodus.
Definition: Someone descended from Shimei who was A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.17; son of: Gershon (H1648); brother of: Libni (H3845G); father of: Jahath (H3189I), Zizah (H2126), Jeush (H3266J) and Beriah (H1283J) Group of shim.i (שִׁמְעִי "Shimei" H8096) § Shimites, of Shimei "renowned" descendants of Shimei or Shimi
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: of Shimi, Shimites. See also: Numbers 3:21; Zechariah 12:13.
אֵ֣לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
הֵ֔ם
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fp
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/גֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי
Gêrᵉshunnîy
H1649
"Gershonite"
Art | Ngmsa
A Gershonite is a descendant of Gershon, a man from the tribe of Levi, first mentioned in Genesis 46:11. Gershon was the son of Levi and brother of Kohath and Merari. His descendants are also mentioned in 1 Chronicles.
Definition: Someone descended from Gershon who was 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; Group of ge.re.shon (גֵּרְשׁוֹן "Gershon" H1648) § Gershonite , of Geshur a descendant of Gershon, firstborn son of Levi
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: Gershonite, sons of Gershon. See also: Numbers 3:21; Numbers 26:57; 2 Chronicles 29:12.
Study Notes — Numbers 3:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Gershonites
19The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
20And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.
21From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.
22The number of all the males a month old or more was 7,500. 23The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle,Numbers 3:21 Summary
[The verse Numbers 3:21 tells us about the Gershonite clans, which were part of the Levites, a tribe of people who helped take care of the tabernacle. The Gershonite clans included the Libnite and Shimeite clans, and they were responsible for carrying certain parts of the tabernacle, as seen in Numbers 4:24-28. This shows us that God values organization and teamwork, and that each person has a role to play in serving him (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). By working together like the Gershonite clans, we can accomplish great things for God's kingdom.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Gershonite clans in the Bible?
The Gershonite clans, including the Libnite and Shimeite clans, were part of the Levitical tribe and played a crucial role in the transportation and care of the tabernacle, as seen in Numbers 3:21 and Numbers 4:24-28. They were entrusted with the duty of carrying the tabernacle's curtains, coverings, and other related items.
How do the Gershonite clans relate to the rest of the Levites?
The Gershonite clans were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, along with the Kohathite and Merarite clans, as mentioned in Numbers 3:17-20. Each clan had distinct responsibilities in the service of the tabernacle, as outlined in Numbers 3:21-4:49.
What can we learn from the organization of the Levites in Numbers 3?
The organization of the Levites, including the Gershonite clans, demonstrates God's attention to detail and his desire for order and structure in the worship and service of his people, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:33 and Numbers 1:53.
How does the mention of specific clans and families in Numbers 3 relate to the broader biblical theme of community?
The emphasis on specific clans and families in Numbers 3 highlights the importance of community and family in the biblical narrative, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:10-13 and Acts 2:42-47, where believers are called to live and serve together in unity and harmony.
Reflection Questions
- What does the attention to detail in Numbers 3:21 reveal about God's character and his relationship with his people?
- How can I apply the principles of organization and structure seen in the Levites' service to my own life and ministry?
- What role do I play in my own community or family, and how can I serve others in a way that honors God?
- What can I learn from the example of the Gershonite clans about the importance of teamwork and cooperation in serving God?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:21
Of Gershon [was] the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites,.... The first son of Levi: these [are] the family of the Gershonites; that were now, numbered.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:21
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, Number the children of Levi.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:21
21–39. The Levitical families and their duties. Notice that narrative in Numbers 3:21 f., 27 f., 33 f., 39 alternates with commands in Numbers 3:23-26; Numbers 3:29-32; Numbers 3:35-38. It is one of the many indications that the priestly portions of the book were the composite work of more than one writer.