Exodus 6:17 kjv
The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
Exodus 6:17 nkjv
The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimi according to their families.
Exodus 6:17 niv
The sons of Gershon, by clans, were Libni and Shimei.
Exodus 6:17 esv
The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans.
Exodus 6:17 nlt
The descendants of Gershon included Libni and Shimei, each of whom became the ancestor of a clan.
Exodus 6 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 46:11 | The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. | First mention of Levi's sons. |
| Exod 6:16 | These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari… | Context: Levi's sons and lifespan. |
| Num 3:17-18 | These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And these are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei. | Directly reiterates Gershon's sons. |
| Num 3:21 | Of Gershon were the clan of the Libnites and the clan of the Shimeites… | Explicitly names the clans from Exod 6:17. |
| Num 26:57-58 | These are those counted of the Levites according to their clans: of Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the clan of the Kohathites; of Merari, the clan of the Merarites. | Confirms distinct Levitical clans. |
| 1 Chr 6:17 | These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. | Repeats the exact lineage from Chronicles. |
| 1 Chr 6:20 | Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son. | Traces Libni's descendants further. |
| 1 Chr 23:7 | The sons of Gershon were Ladan and Shimei. | Lists Gershon's sons for service assignment. |
| Num 4:24-28 | This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites… They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle… | Specifies the duties of Gershonite clans. |
| Deut 10:8 | At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD… to bless in his name… | Defines the role of Levites generally. |
| Heb 7:11-12 | If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood… what further need would there have been… for another priest… | Highlights the transitional nature of Levitical priesthood. |
| Gen 5:1-32 | This is the book of the generations of Adam… | Principle of detailed genealogies in Scripture. |
| Gen 10:1-32 | These are the generations of the sons of Noah… | Example of tracing tribal and national origins. |
| Gen 46:1-27 | These are the names of the sons of Israel… who came into Egypt. | Comprehensive lineage for the whole nation. |
| Num 1:18 | They assembled the whole congregation together… according to their tribal affiliations, by the number of names… | Importance of clan and tribal registration. |
| Josh 21:6 | And the lot fell to the sons of Gershon: from the families of the tribe of Issachar, and from the tribe of Asher, and from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. | Allotment of cities for Gershonites. |
| 2 Chr 29:12 | …the sons of Merari, Jahath and Shimei; and of the sons of Gershon, Joah and Eden. | Mentions descendants for Temple cleansing. |
| Ezra 2:40 | The Levites: the sons of Jeshua… Kadmiel… Hodaviah… | Emphasizes maintaining correct lineage for service post-exile. |
| Neh 7:43 | The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy-four. | Further post-exilic record of Levites. |
| Psa 78:67-68 | He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but he chose the tribe of Judah… and Mount Zion… | Illustrates divine selection of tribes/lineage. |
| Matt 1:1-17 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. | Importance of genealogy for Messianic claims. |
| Luke 3:23-38 | Jesus… being the son… of Heli… of Matthat… | Another genealogical record highlighting lineage. |
| Rom 9:4-5 | They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. | Recognizes Israel's special status through lineage and divine calling. |
Exodus 6 verses
Exodus 6 17 Meaning
Exodus 6:17 specifies the immediate descendants of Gershon, Levi's firstborn son. It identifies his two sons, Libni and Shimei, who became the progenitors and heads of distinct family groups or "clans" within the larger Gershonite division of the tribe of Levi. This verse is part of a crucial genealogical record establishing the lineage of Moses and Aaron and, more broadly, setting the foundational structure for the Levitical families and their future roles in the sacred service of the Tabernacle.
Exodus 6 17 Context
Exodus 6:17 appears within a section that establishes the lineage of Moses and Aaron, setting the stage for their divinely appointed leadership in delivering Israel from Egypt. Following God's renewed promise to deliver Israel and fulfill His covenant, Moses expresses his inadequacy (Exod 6:10-12). To legitimize Moses and Aaron's authority, and to provide the genealogical basis for the priesthood, the narrative pivots to a detailed lineage tracing back to the patriarch Levi. Verses 14-27 enumerate the heads of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. Our verse specifically falls under Levi's descendants (Exod 6:16), focusing on Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, and then providing details for their immediate sons. This meticulous record underscores the divine ordering of Israel's tribal and social structure, which would become critical for the upcoming wilderness journey, the Tabernacle's service, and the precise assignment of Levitical duties outlined later in Numbers. In ancient Near Eastern societies, genealogies were paramount for establishing identity, social standing, land rights, and qualifications for sacred roles, reflecting God's attention to order and designated roles within His covenant community.
Exodus 6 17 Word analysis
- The sons of Gershon: (בְּנֵ֣י גֵרְשׁ֔וֹן, bə·nê ḡer·šō·wn)
- "sons" (bə·nê, from ben): Indicates direct descendants and heads of immediate family lines, signifying progenitor status. This sets the hierarchical structure within the tribe.
- "Gershon" (ḡer·šō·wn): Levi's firstborn son (Exod 6:16). His name potentially relates to "sojourner" or "expulsion," subtly echoing Israel's sojourn in Egypt and imminent departure. He forms the root of one of the three main divisions of the Levites.
- Libni (לִבְנִ֖י, lib·nî)
- "Libni": A proper noun, literally meaning "white." While names in the Bible can be symbolic, here it primarily functions to identify an individual who founded a specific clan. This name is consistent throughout the Scriptures referring to Gershon's first son and a key Levitical ancestral line.
- and Shimei, (וְשִׁמְעִֽי, wə·šim·‘î)
- "Shimei": Another proper noun, derived from the Hebrew verb shama (שמע), meaning "to hear." A common Hebrew name that likewise establishes a foundational ancestral line within the Gershonite division.
- by their clans. (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃, lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)
- "by their clans" (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām, from mishpaḥah): This is a highly significant phrase. Mishpaḥah (מִשְׁפָּחָה) refers to a family, clan, or a subdivision of a tribe. It highlights the structured organization of Israelite society, where duties and responsibilities were assigned to these specific family units. For the Levites, this means Libni and Shimei each became the head of distinct lineages that would have specific roles in Tabernacle service, emphasizing the orderliness of God's design for His people and worship, as seen in Numbers 3 and 4 where these "clans" have specific assignments (e.g., carrying the Tabernacle's coverings for the Gershonites). This level of detail distinguishes the divine order of Israel from less organized pagan systems, underscoring God's meticulous care in establishing legitimate lines for sacred service.
Exodus 6 17 Bonus section
- The meticulous detailing of Levitical genealogies served as a legal and theological basis for the qualifications of individuals for Tabernacle and Temple service throughout Israel's history. Any interruption or confusion in these records could jeopardize one's standing.
- The naming of the "clans" from Libni and Shimei indicates that these were not just individuals, but progenitors of distinct, identifiable family lines that maintained their separate identities and, later, specific responsibilities (e.g., the Gershonites were responsible for the coverings, curtains, and hangings of the tabernacle, as detailed in Num 3-4).
- The very act of preserving such specific family lines emphasizes the value God places on heritage and continuity, especially regarding the sacred trust given to Levi's descendants. This precision foreshadows the even more crucial need for precise lineage in establishing the authenticity of the Messianic King, Jesus Christ.
Exodus 6 17 Commentary
Exodus 6:17, while seemingly a simple genealogical entry, carries profound significance within the biblical narrative. It is not merely a dry list of names but a foundational statement for the meticulous organization of the Levitical tribe. By listing Gershon's two sons, Libni and Shimei, and explicitly noting their establishment "by their clans," the text prefigures the precise administrative divisions necessary for the elaborate service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This specificity underscores God's commitment to order, demonstrating that every aspect of the covenant community, including sacred service, must adhere to divine decree and structured lineage. It solidifies the identity of future Levitical priestly families, guaranteeing a traceable and legitimate heritage for those called to minister before God. This meticulous genealogical record distinguishes Israel's divinely ordered priesthood from contemporary pagan practices, where priestly succession might be arbitrary or based on personal power. This small verse thereby contributes to the larger biblical theme of divine faithfulness, systematic order, and the preparation of a people for covenant relationship and worship.