Numbers 3:23
Numbers 3:23 in Multiple Translations
The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle,
The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.
The tents of the Gershonites are to be placed at the back of the House, to the west.
The camp of families of Gershon was to the west, behind the Tabernacle.
The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the Tabernacle westward.
The families of the Gershonite, behind the tabernacle, do encamp westward.
The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.
The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
These shall pitch behind the tabernacle on the west,
They were told to set up their tents on the west side of the Sacred Tent.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 3:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
הַ/גֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י
אַחֲרֵ֧י
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֛ן
יַחֲנ֖וּ
יָֽמָּ/ה
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fp
הַ/גֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י
Gêrᵉshunnîy
H1649
Gershonite
Art | Ngmsa
אַחֲרֵ֧י
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֛ן
mishkân
H4908
tabernacle
Art | N-ms
יַחֲנ֖וּ
chânâh
H2583
to camp
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
יָֽמָּ/ה
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:23
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/גֵּרְשֻׁנִּ֑י
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.
אַחֲרֵ֧י
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֛ן
mishkân
H4908
"tabernacle"
Art | N-ms
The tabernacle was a special tent where God met with the Israelites, as described in Exodus and Leviticus. It was a portable place of worship, like a dwelling place for God. The Israelites carried it with them.
Definition: 1) dwelling place, tabernacle 1a) dwelling-place 1b) dwellings Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. See also: Exodus 25:9; Numbers 3:23; Psalms 26:8.
יַחֲנ֖וּ
chânâh
H2583
"to camp"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew verb means to set up camp or pitch a tent, like when the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. It can also mean to lay siege against a city.
Definition: 1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to decline 1a2) to encamp
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent. See also: Genesis 26:17; Numbers 33:33; Psalms 27:3.
יָֽמָּ/ה
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms | Suff
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
Study Notes — Numbers 3:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Gershonites
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,
24and the leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. 25The duties of the Gershonites at the Tent of Meeting were the tabernacle and tent, its covering, the curtain for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 1:53 | But the Levites are to camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony and watch over it, so that no wrath will fall on the congregation of Israel. So the Levites are responsible for the tabernacle of the Testimony.” |
| 2 | Numbers 2:17 | In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place under his standard. |
Numbers 3:23 Summary
The Gershonite clans were instructed to camp on the west side of the tabernacle, which was likely related to their responsibilities in carrying and maintaining the tabernacle and its coverings. This demonstrates God's attention to detail and desire for order, as seen in the way He organized the Israelite camp. Just like the Gershonite clans, we can trust God's guidance and provision, even when we do not fully understand the reasons behind our circumstances, and submit to His plan and organization in our own lives (Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6). By doing so, we can demonstrate our commitment to God's will and trust in His goodness, just like the Gershonite clans did by camping on the west side of the tabernacle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Gershonite clans assigned to camp on the west side of the tabernacle?
The Bible does not explicitly state why the Gershonite clans were assigned to camp on the west side, but it may be related to their responsibilities in carrying the tabernacle and its coverings, as seen in Numbers 3:25 and Numbers 4:24-26.
What was the significance of the tabernacle's location in relation to the Gershonite clans' camp?
The tabernacle was at the center of the Israelite camp, and its location in relation to the Gershonite clans' camp on the west side may have symbolized God's presence and guidance, as seen in Exodus 25:8 and Leviticus 26:11-12.
How did the Gershonite clans' camping location relate to their duties and responsibilities?
The Gershonite clans' camping location on the west side of the tabernacle was likely related to their duties in carrying and maintaining the tabernacle and its coverings, as they would have been responsible for transporting these items when the Israelites moved, as seen in Numbers 4:24-26.
What can we learn from the Gershonite clans' camping location about God's organization and order?
The Gershonite clans' camping location on the west side of the tabernacle demonstrates God's attention to detail and desire for order, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:33 and 1 Corinthians 14:40, and reminds us of the importance of submitting to God's plan and organization in our own lives.
Reflection Questions
- As I consider the Gershonite clans' camping location, what does this reveal to me about God's desire for order and organization in my own life?
- How can I apply the principle of being assigned a specific role or position, like the Gershonite clans, to my own life and service to God?
- In what ways can I trust God's guidance and provision, even when I do not fully understand the reasons behind my circumstances, just like the Gershonite clans trusted God's plan for their camping location?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my commitment to God's plan and organization, like the Gershonite clans did by camping on the west side of the tabernacle?
- How does the Gershonite clans' camping location relate to the concept of being 'in God's will' and what can I learn from this about my own life and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:23
The families of the Gershonites,.... The two before mentioned, the Libnites and Shimites: shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward; this was their situation when encamped; they were placed in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:23
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, Number the children of Levi.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 3:23
(23) Behind the tabernacle westward.—As the position of the twelve tribes in respect of the tent of meeting had been already determined, so in this and the following verses the position of the priests and Levites is fixed. On the east side of the tent Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons were to encamp, on the south the Kohathites, on the west the Gershonites, on the north the Merarites.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:23
23. behind] The usual expression for ‘westward,’ because the Hebrew faced eastward when thinking of the points of the compass; cf. Exodus 3:1, Deuteronomy 11:30, Judges 18:12, Isaiah 9:12. With the characteristic tautology of the priestly style another word for ‘westward’ is added; cf. Numbers 3:38, Exodus 27:9. The latter denotes literally ‘towards the sea,’ shewing that the narrator was in Palestine when he wrote, the Mediterranean being the sea referred to.
Sermons on Numbers 3:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Left Behind by George Matheson | George Matheson emphasizes the significance of the Levites, who were overlooked and uncounted in the census of Israel, yet held a vital role in maintaining the tabernacle. He illus |
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Examples of Circumspect Behaviour by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome emphasizes the holy and separate lifestyles of the prophets and apostles, highlighting their dedication to serving God without the distractions of relationships wit |