GERSHON
“expulsion”. Gersonites.
The eldest son of the three of Levi, after whom the three branches of the Levites were named (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16. The sons of Gershom were Libni and Shimei (Ex. 6:17; 1 Chron. . 6:17, 20, 21, 39-43).
During the pilgrimage through the desert, his descendants had the mission of transporting the tabernacle.
Asaph, the famous singer and prophet, was of his lineage.
In the census taken at Sinai, the Gershonite males numbered 7,500.
Thirteen cities were distributed to them in northern Canaan, two of them being cities of refuge (Josh. 21:6, 27-33; 1 Chron. 6:62, 71-76).