Numbers 3:18
New International Version
These were the names of the Gershonite clans: Libni and Shimei.

New Living Translation
The clans descended from Gershon were named after two of his descendants, Libni and Shimei.

English Standard Version
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei.

Berean Standard Bible
These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei.

King James Bible
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.

New King James Version
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

New American Standard Bible
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei;

NASB 1995
These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei;

NASB 1977
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei;

Legacy Standard Bible
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei;

Amplified Bible
These are the names of the [two] sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei;

Christian Standard Bible
These were the names of Gershon’s sons by their clans: Libni and Shimei.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These were the names of Gershon’s sons by their clans: Libni and Shimei.

American Standard Version
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

Contemporary English Version
Gershon's sons were Libni and Shimei.

English Revised Version
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni and Shimei.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Libni and Shimei were the sons of Gershon. Their families were named after them.

International Standard Version
These are names of Gershon's descendants according to their families: Libni and Shimei.

Majority Standard Bible
These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei.

NET Bible
These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

New Heart English Bible
These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

Webster's Bible Translation
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.

World English Bible
These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And these [are] the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

Young's Literal Translation
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

Smith's Literal Translation
And these the names of the sons of Gershon according to their families: Libni and Shimei.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sons of Gerson: Lebni and Semei.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei.

New American Bible
These were the names of the sons of Gershon, by their clans: Libni and Shimei.

New Revised Standard Version
These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And these are the names of the sons of Gershun for their tribes: Lebni and Shimei.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And these are the names of the sons of Gedson according to their families; Lobeni and Semei:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Registration of the Levites
17These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 18These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei. 19The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.…

Cross References
Exodus 6:17
The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans.

1 Chronicles 6:17
These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.

1 Chronicles 23:12-13
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four in all. / The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Exodus 28:1
“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

Leviticus 8:2
“Take Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull of the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread,

Numbers 1:50-53
Instead, you are to appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, all its furnishings, and everything in it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its articles, care for it, and camp around it. / Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever it is to be pitched, the Levites are to set it up. Any outsider who goes near it must be put to death. / The Israelites are to camp by their divisions, each man in his own camp and under his own standard. ...

Numbers 4:1-3
Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, / “Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families, / men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

Numbers 8:5-26
Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, / “Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. / This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves. ...

Numbers 18:1-7
So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood. / But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. / And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. ...

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

1 Kings 8:4
and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.

2 Chronicles 29:11
Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”

Nehemiah 12:1
Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

Hebrews 7:11-14
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.

Numbers 3:21
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.

Exodus 6:17-19
The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families…

1 Chronicles 6:17,20,21
And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei…

Jump to Previous
Clans Families Gershon Gershonite Libni Shimei Shim'e-I
Jump to Next
Clans Families Gershon Gershonite Libni Shimei Shim'e-I
Numbers 3
1. The sons of Aaron
5. The Levites are given to the priests instead of the firstborn
14. Are numbered by their families
21. The families, number, and charge of the Gershonites
27. Of the Kohathites
33. Of the Merarites
38. The place and charge of Moses and Aaron
40. The firstborn are freed by the Levites
44. The balances are refunded














These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans:
The sons of Gershon are part of the Levitical tribe, specifically the Gershonites, who were responsible for the care of the tabernacle's fabrics, including the curtains, coverings, and hangings. This role highlights the importance of maintaining the sacred space where God dwelled among His people. The Levites were set apart for service to God, emphasizing the theme of holiness and dedication. The division into clans underscores the organized structure of Israelite society and the importance of family lineage in fulfilling God-given roles.

Libni
Libni, meaning "white" or "whiteness," may symbolize purity or holiness, which is fitting for those serving in the tabernacle. The name Libni appears in other genealogical records, such as 1 Chronicles 6:17, indicating the continuity and preservation of the Levitical line. The emphasis on names in biblical genealogies often reflects the character or destiny of individuals and their descendants, pointing to the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan.

and Shimei.
Shimei, meaning "heard" or "hearing," suggests the importance of listening to God's commands and being obedient to His will. This name appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often associated with individuals who play significant roles in Israel's history. The inclusion of Shimei in the Levitical genealogy highlights the theme of faithfulness and the necessity of heeding God's instructions, especially in the context of worship and service. The Levites' role as mediators between God and the people foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law and established a new covenant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kohath
Kohath was one of the sons of Levi, making him a grandson of Jacob. The Kohathites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, responsible for the care of the sanctuary's most sacred objects.

2. Amram
Amram was the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. His lineage is significant as it leads to the priestly and prophetic leadership of Israel.

3. Izhar
Izhar was another son of Kohath. His descendants played roles in various events throughout Israel's history.

4. Hebron
Hebron, not to be confused with the city, was a son of Kohath. His lineage is less prominent but still part of the Levitical family.

5. Uzziel
Uzziel was a son of Kohath, and his descendants also served in the Levitical duties.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Lineage in God's Plan
The genealogies in the Bible, such as the one in Numbers 3:18, remind us of God's sovereign plan through specific families. Understanding our spiritual heritage can inspire us to fulfill our roles in God's kingdom.

Faithfulness in Service
The Kohathites had specific duties in the tabernacle, highlighting the importance of faithfulness in the roles God assigns us. We should serve diligently in whatever capacity God places us.

God's Order and Structure
The detailed genealogies and assignments show God's order and structure. This encourages us to seek order in our spiritual lives and church communities.

Legacy and Influence
The descendants of Kohath, including Moses and Aaron, had a profound impact on Israel's history. Our actions and faith can leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
These
וְאֵ֛לֶּה (wə·’êl·leh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

were the names
שְׁמ֥וֹת (šə·mō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of the sons
בְּֽנֵי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Gershon
גֵרְשׁ֖וֹן (ḡê·rə·šō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1648: Gershon -- a son of Levi

by their clans:
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

Libni
לִבְנִ֖י (liḇ·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3845: Libni -- two Levites

and Shimei.
וְשִׁמְעִֽי׃ (wə·šim·‘î)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8096: Shimei -- the name of a number of Israelites


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OT Law: Numbers 3:18 These are the names of the sons (Nu Num.)
Numbers 3:17
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