Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites. These were the families that made up the Gershonites.
This verse lists the two main family groups that descended from Gershon, one of Levi's sons who served in God's temple.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, which records the Israelites' time in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, God commanded Moses to conduct a census of the Levites, who were set apart for sacred duties in the tabernacle instead of the firstborn of other tribes. Gershon, as one of Levi's sons, had his descendants organized into clans like the Libnites and Shimites to ensure proper service and maintenance of the tabernacle during their journeys. This detailed accounting reflected God's orderly plan for His people as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
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