Numbers 3:21 — Word Study

Depth

WLCלְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ הַלִּבְנִ֔י וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשִּׁמְעִ֑י אֵ֣לֶּה הֵ֔ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃

BSAFrom Gershon cameGêrᵉshôwn [a son of Levi, ancestor of the Levites] the LibniteLibnîy [descended from Libni, a son of Gershon] clanmishpâchâh and the ShimeiteShimʻîy [descended from Shimei, a son of Gershon] clanmishpâchâh theseʼêl-leh [specific families] were the GershoniteGêrᵉshunnîy [descendants of Gershon, a Levitical family] clansmishpâchâh [family groups, tribes]

Word

Listen & take awayNumbers 3

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The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 21 is in this chapter.

Hebrew ↓ Download MP3

The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..

Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ha.ge.re.shu.Ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.

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Numbers 3:21quick helps

In a sentenceThis verse lists the clans that descended from Gershon, a son of Levi.

Who is speakingThe narrator, detailing the genealogy of the Levites.

Where we areIn the book of Numbers, which organizes the tribes of Israel.

The hard wordמִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙

Take awayThe clans are identified by their patriarchs.

Greek	English	Parsing
לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן	[belonged] to Gershon	Preposition, noun proper masculine
מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙	[the] clan of	Noun common, feminine singular construct
הַלִּבְנִ֔י	the Libnite[s]	Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת	and [the] clan of	Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct
הַשִּׁמְעִ֑י	the Shimeite[s]	Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
אֵ֣לֶּה	these	Particle
הֵ֔ם	they	Pronoun
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת	[were] [the] clans of	Noun common, feminine plural construct
הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃	the Gershonite[s]	Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute

Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.

3 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge & more — read them › clause subjectהֵם The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›

How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Numbers 3:21

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Clans of the Levitesgenerated

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 identifies the clans that came from Gershon, who was a son of Levi. This verse is part of a larger section that organizes the Levitical families, emphasizing their roles and lineage in the Israelite community. Gershon's descendants, the Libnites and Shimeites, are highlighted as part of the Levitical structure, which is crucial for understanding the priestly duties assigned to the Levites in the wilderness.

Cross References

Nave’s Topical Bible — the subjects this verse is filed under

MidianitesDefeated by the Israelites under Phineas, five of their kings killed, the women taken captive, cities burned, And rich spoil takenCensusThe numbering of IsraelLibni1. Son of GershonLevitesEnrollment of, at Mount SinaiLevitesGershonites and their dutiesLevitesFunctions ofCampOf the Israelites around the tabernacleGershonSon of Levi

The Key Word — גֵּרְשׁוֹן, le.Ge.re.Shongenerated

The name גֵּרְשׁוֹן (Gershon) refers to a significant figure in Israelite history, specifically the son of Levi. He is associated with the meaning 'exile', reflecting his family's history and role within the tribe of Levi.

As a proper noun, Gershon is in the construct state here, indicating possession or belonging, as seen in the phrase 'to Gershon'. This shows his foundational role in the lineage of the Levites, who were responsible for the worship and service in the Tabernacle.

How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations agree on the identification of the clans descending from Gershon.

Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is implied in the structure, with the subject being הֵ֔ם (they), which refers to the clans. The sentence structure lists the clans that came from Gershon, indicating a clear lineage.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the clans by introducing them first, followed by their respective designations, which helps to clarify their identity within the larger context of the Levites.

Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates גֵּרְשׁוֹן as γεδσων, which maintains the identification of Gershon but does not carry the same emphasis on his role as the Hebrew does.

This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew name without expanding on its significance, thus keeping the focus on the genealogical aspect of the text.

In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Numbers 3:21 tells us that from Gershon, a son of Levi, came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan. These clans were part of the Gershonite family groups, which played a key role in the Levitical service.

Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Who was Gershon?

Gershon was a son of Levi and an ancestor of the Levites, whose descendants formed important clans within the tribe.

What does it mean to be a Libnite or Shimeite?

A Libnite is a descendant of Libni, while a Shimeite is a descendant of Shimei, both of whom were sons of Gershon.

Why are the clans of Gershon mentioned?

The clans are mentioned to highlight the organization and structure of the Levitical families, which were essential for the worship practices in Israel.

What role did the Gershonites have?

The Gershonites had specific duties related to the transport and care of the Tabernacle and its furnishings during the Israelite's journey.

Reflection Questionsgenerated

How does understanding the genealogy of the Levites help us appreciate their role in Israel's worship?
What significance do you think the names of these clans carry for the descendants of Levi today?
In what ways can we see the importance of family lineage in our own communities?
How do the roles of the Levites compare to roles in modern religious practices?

Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Numbers 3:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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.

Read John Gill on Numbers 3 →

Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, Number the children of Levi.

Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 3 →

CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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.

Read Cambridge on Numbers 3 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites. These are the families of the Gershonites.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans.

NETBNew English Translation2006

From Gershon came the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimeites; these were the families of the Gershonites.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Of Gershon came the familie of the Libnites, and the familie of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Of Gershon, the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Of Gershon [is] the family of the Libnite, and the family of the Shimite; these are the families of the Gershonite.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Of Gershon—the family of the Libnite and the family of the Shimite; these are the families of the Gershonite.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Of Gershon: the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites; these are the families of the Gershunites.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The clans of the Libnites and the Shimeites come from Gershon. These are the clans of the Gershonites.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Of Gerson were two families, the Lebnites, and the Semeites:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The family of Libni and the family of Shimei came from Gershon. These were the families of Gershon.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

From Gershon come the Libnites and the Shimeites; these are the families of the Gershonites.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.

The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseprepositional phrase · predicateלְ[belonged].toגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹןGershonnoun phrase · subjectnoun phraseמִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙the.clannoun phraseהַofלִּבְנִ֔יthe.Libnite[s]וּandnoun phraseמִשְׁפַּ֖חַתthe.clannoun phraseהַofשִּׁמְעִ֑יthe.Shimeite[s]clauseclauseאֵ֣לֶּהtheseclausesubjectהֵ֔םtheynoun phrase · predicateמִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת[were].the.clansnoun phraseהַofגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽיthe.Gershonite[s]

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.

The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree on the identification of the clans, although the Samaritan version uses different words for 'clan' and 'Gershonite'. The differences do not alter the overall meaning of the verse.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ הַלִּבְנִ֔י וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשִּׁמְעִ֑י אֵ֣לֶּה הֵ֔ם מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word

לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹןγεδσωνמִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙δῆμοςהַלִּבְנִ֔יλοβενιוּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַתδῆμοςהַשִּׁמְעִ֑יσεμεϊאֵ֣לֶּהοὗτοιמִשְׁפְּחֹ֖תδῆμοιהַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃γεδσων

8 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

לגרשׁון משׁפחת הלבני ומשׁפחת השׁמעי אלה הם משׁפחות הגרשׁוני

2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: משׁפחות (clan), גרשׁוני (Gershonite)

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.

The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Numbers 3:21

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹן [belonged] to Gershon מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ [the] clan of הַלִּבְנִ֔י the Libnite[s]וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת and [the] clan of הַשִּׁמְעִ֑י the Shimeite[s]אֵ֣לֶּה these הֵ֔ם they מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת [were] [the] clans of הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃ the Gershonite[s]

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

לְגֵ֣רְשׁ֔וֹןle.Ge.re.Shon [belonged] to Gershon H1648 Preposition · noun proper masculine ¶

18× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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'.

Amplified meaning

a son of Levi, ancestor of the Levites

Tyndale gloss

Gershon

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גֵּרְשׁוֹן (Gershon) refers to the son of Levi, a figure from the Israelite tribes. The name is associated with the meaning 'refugee' or 'exile.' He is first mentioned in Genesis 46:11 and is noted as the brother of Kohath and Merari, and the father of Libni and Shimei. Gershon is also referred to as Gershom in several passages.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גֵּרְשׁוֹן n.pr.m. son of Levi

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1648 גֵּרְשׁוֹן son of Levi

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1648 Gershown gay-resh-one'

or Gershowm {gay-resh-ome'}; from 1644; a refugee; Gereshon

or Gereshom, an Israelite:--Gershon, Gershom.

see HEBREW for 01644

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גֵּרְשׁוֹן (ge.re.shon) — Gershon.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculine
HR/Npm

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gershon

=Ger’shom expulsion, the eldest of Levi’s three sons (Gen. 46:11; Ex. 6:16).

In the wilderness the sons of Gershon had charge of the fabrics of the tabernacle when it was moved from place to place, the curtains, veils, tent-hangings (Num. 3: 21-26). Thirteen Levitical cities fell to the lot of the Gershonites (Josh. 21:27-33).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(exile). The eldest of the three sons of Levi, born before the descent of Jacob’s family into Egypt. (Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16) (B.C. before 1706.) But, though the eldest born, the families of Gershon were outstripped in fame by their younger brethren of Kohath, from whom sprang Moses and the priestly line of Aaron.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The eldest son of Levi, and head of one of the three branches of the Levitical tribe, Ge 46:11; Ex 6:16. The Gershonites encamped west of the tabernacle in the wilderness, and carried its curtains and other parts form station to station, Nu 3:17,25; 4:24-28,38- 41; 10:17. Thirteen cities were assigned to them in northern Canaan, Jos 21:6; 1Ch 6:62,71.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

his banishment; the change of pilgrimage

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

בֵּןson: child×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×קְהָתKohath×מְרָרִיMerari×לֵוִיLevi×לֵוִיLevi×פָּקַדto reckon: list×לִבְנִיLibni×

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙mish.Pa.chat [the] clan of H4940 Noun common · feminine singular construct ¶

303× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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.

Tyndale gloss

family

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah) refers to a clan or family, encompassing a circle of relatives and extending to tribes or peoples. It can also denote a class of persons, species of animals, or kinds of things. The entries highlight its various uses, including guilds and aristocrats, but do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan

clan

= guild

= species, kind

pl. = aristocrats

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan

. = guild

. = species, kind

. pl. = aristocrats

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'

from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;

figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or

sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,

kind(-red).

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 08198

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.

1) clan, family

1a) clan

1a1) family

1a2) tribe

1a3) people, nation

1b) guild

1c) species, kind

1d) aristocrats

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant

Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×בֵּןson: child×אֵ֫לֶּהthese×אָבfather×מַטֶּהtribe×פָּקַדto reckon: list×תּוֹלֵדוֹתgeneration×בַּדalone: pole×

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

הַלִּבְנִ֔יha.liv.Ni the Libnite[s] H3846 Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute ¶

2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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.

Amplified meaning

descended from Libni, a son of Gershon

Tyndale gloss

Libnite

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לִבְנִי (Libniy) refers to a Libnite, a descendant of Libni, a Levite mentioned in Exodus 6:17. The term is used collectively to denote the Libnites. The word is derived from the root for 'white' and is noted in various genealogical contexts, including references to Libni's family members.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לִבְנִי adj.gent. of foregoing [l.ak.aj], always c. art. הַלּ׳ as subst. coll., Nu 3:21 26:58.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3846 לִבְנִי

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3846 Libniy lib-nee'

patronymically from 3845; a Libnite or descendants of Libni

(collectively):--Libnites.

see HEBREW for 03845

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לִבְנִי (liv.ni) — Libnite.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ngmsa

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַתu.mish.Pa.chat and [the] clan of H4940 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct ¶

303× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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.

Tyndale gloss

family

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan

clan

= guild

= species, kind

pl. = aristocrats

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan

. = guild

. = species, kind

. pl. = aristocrats

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'

from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;

figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or

sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,

kind(-red).

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 08198

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.

1) clan, family

1a) clan

1a1) family

1a2) tribe

1a3) people, nation

1b) guild

1c) species, kind

1d) aristocrats

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/Ncfsc

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant

Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×בֵּןson: child×אֵ֫לֶּהthese×אָבfather×מַטֶּהtribe×פָּקַדto reckon: list×תּוֹלֵדוֹתgeneration×בַּדalone: pole×

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

הַשִּׁמְעִ֑יha.shim.'I the Shimeite[s] H8097 Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute ¶

2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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.

Amplified meaning

descended from Shimei, a son of Gershon

Tyndale gloss

Shimeite

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׁמְעִי (Shim`iy) refers to a descendant of Shimei, a figure from the tribe of Levi. The term encompasses the Shimites collectively and is linked to Shimei's lineage, first noted in Exodus 6:17. It is derived from the root word for Shimei, indicating a familial connection.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שִׁמְעִי adj.gent. of 3a;—c. art. as n.coll. הַשּׁ׳ Nu 3:21; cf. Zc 12:13.

done

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8097 שִׁמְעִי

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8097 Shim`iy shim-ee'

patronymically from 8096; a Shimite (collectively) or

descendants of Shimi:--of Shimi, Shimites.

see HEBREW for 08096

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׁמְעִי (shim.i) — Shimeite.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ngmsa

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

אֵ֣לֶּה'E.leh these H428 Particle ¶

746× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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.

Amplified meaning

specific families

Tyndale gloss

these

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵ֫לֶּה (el-leh) means 'these' and is used in various grammatical contexts, often in apposition to a noun with a pronoun suffix. It can appear with or without the definite article and is sometimes paired with other terms like וְאֵלֶּה (and these). The word conveys a sense of proximity or specification, referring to particular items or people.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵ֫לֶּה pr.pl.m. & f. these

in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)

repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those

with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)

with preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H428 אֵ֫לֶּה these . in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)

. repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those

. with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)

. with preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

428 'el-leh ale'-leh

prolonged from 411; these or those:--an- (the) other; one

sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those,

thus, which, who(-m).

see HEBREW for 0411

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) — these.

1) these

1a) used before antecedent

1b) used following antecedent

Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Pron — Particle
HTm

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

דָּבָרChronicles×מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×אַלּוּףtame×תּוֹלֵדוֹתgeneration×חֹקstatute: decree×תּוֹעֵבַהabomination×מִדָּה`great stature`×

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

הֵ֔םHem they H1992 Pronoun ¶

553× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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.

Tyndale gloss

they(masc.)

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1992 hem haym

or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from

1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)

many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,

their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.

see HEBREW for 01981

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).

they, these, the same, who

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

HPp3mp — Pronoun
HPp3mp

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

גַּםalso×כָּתַבto write×סֵ֫פֶרscroll: document×הֵ֫מָּהthey(masc.)×נָבָאto prophesy×טָמֵאunclean×מְרִיrebellion×יַ֫חַדunitedness×

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

מִשְׁפְּחֹ֖תmish.pe.Chot [were] [the] clans of H4940 Noun common · feminine plural construct ¶

303× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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.

Amplified meaning

family groups, tribes

Tyndale gloss

family

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan

clan

= guild

= species, kind

pl. = aristocrats

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan

. = guild

. = species, kind

. pl. = aristocrats

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'

from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;

figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or

sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,

kind(-red).

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 08198

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.

1) clan, family

1a) clan

1a1) family

1a2) tribe

1a3) people, nation

1b) guild

1c) species, kind

1d) aristocrats

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural construct
HNcfpc

Bible dictionarieson the English sense

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant

Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×בֵּןson: child×אֵ֫לֶּהthese×אָבfather×מַטֶּהtribe×פָּקַדto reckon: list×תּוֹלֵדוֹתgeneration×בַּדalone: pole×

“[belonged] to Gershon [the] clan of the Libnite[s] and [the] clan of the Shimeite[s] these they [were] [the] clans of the Gershonite[s]”

הַגֵּרְשֻׁנִּֽי׃ha.ge.re.shu.Ni the Gershonite[s] H1649 Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute ¶

13× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×

In plain English

Meaning

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.

Amplified meaning

descendants of Gershon, a Levitical family

Tyndale gloss

Gershonite

Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers

Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (Gershunniy) refers to a Gershonite, a descendant of Gershon, the firstborn son of Levi. This term is used to describe members of the Levitical tribe, specifically those related to Gershon, and is linked to the family structure in the Old Testament, particularly in Genesis 46:11.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי adj.gent. c. art. as subst. collect.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1649 גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1649 Gershunniy gay-resh-oon-nee'

patronymically from 1648; a Gereshonite or descendant of

Gereshon:--Gershonite, sons of Gershon.

see HEBREW for 01648

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (ge.re.shun.ni) — Gershonite.

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

Morphologythe parsing behind the code

Berean parsing

Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ngmsa

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance

מִשְׁפָּחָהfamily×בֵּןson: child×לַעְדָּןLadan×אָבfather×עֲבֹדָהservice×רֹאשׁhead×מַשָּׂאburden×

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

Numbers 3:21 — Word Study

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Deep Study — Numbers 3:21

Context — The Clans of the Levitesgenerated

Cross References

Nave’s Topical Bible — the subjects this verse is filed under

The Key Word — גֵּרְשׁוֹן, le.Ge.re.Shongenerated

How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Sentence Structuregenerated

Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Reflection Questionsgenerated

Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Modern formal

Tyndale line

Strictly literal

From the Latin

Simplified

The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

Lexicons — every word in Numbers 3:21