Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
3:14-39 This first phase of a two-stage registration of the tribe of Levi (see 4:34-49 for stage two) summarized each family group’s special responsibilities (described in greater detail in 4:1-33). This numbering was not linked with military duties, so it enrolled male Levites from the age of one month (3:40-41). • Three family groups are descended from Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the three sons of Levi. These clans (often called the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites) later inherited the “cities of refuge” (Josh 21) and filled various important posts in the Jerusalem Temple (2 Chr 29:3-17).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
3:14-39 This first phase of a two-stage registration of the tribe of Levi (see 4:34-49 for stage two) summarized each family group’s special responsibilities (described in greater detail in 4:1-33). This numbering was not linked with military duties, so it enrolled male Levites from the age of one month (3:40-41). • Three family groups are descended from Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the three sons of Levi. These clans (often called the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites) later inherited the “cities of refuge” (Josh 21) and filled various important posts in the Jerusalem Temple (2 Chr 29:3-17).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
Of Gershon, the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites. These are the families of the Gershonites.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
From Gershon come the Libnites and the Shimeites; these are the families of the Gershonites.