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Numbers 3:21

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 3:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
Numbers 3:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.
19And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, and Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
20And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers` houses.
21Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
22Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.
23The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.
24And the prince of the fathers` house of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Of Gershon [was] the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites, etc.] The first son of Levi: these [are] the family of the Gershonites; that were now, numbered.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 3:18 Numbers 3:22”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Gershonites were divided into two families, containing 7500 males. They were to encamp under their chief Eliasaph, behind the tabernacle, i.e., on the western side ( Num 3:23, Num 3:24), and were to take charge of the dwelling-place and the tent, the covering, the curtain at the entrance, the hangings round the court with the curtains at the door, and the cords of the tent, "in relation to all the service thereof" ( Num 3:25.); that is to say, according to the more precise injunctions in Num 4:25-27, they were to carry the tapestry of the dwelling (the inner covering, Exo 26:1.), and of the tent (i.e., the covering made of goats' hair, Exo 26:7.), the covering thereof (i.e., the covering…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification