for גֵּרְשׁוֹן; Gereshom, the name of four Israelites; Gershom.
Transliteration:Gêrᵉshôm
Pronunciation:gay-resh-ome'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun גֵּרְשֹׁם (Gêrᵉshôm, `{{H1647}}`) is primarily understood to mean "a sojourner there" or "an exile there." This etymology is explicitly provided by Moses himself when he names his firstborn son: "For he said, 'I have been a sojourner in a foreign land'" [[Exodus 2:22]]. The name is thus a compound of גֵּר (ger, `{{H1616}}`), meaning "sojourner," "alien," or "foreigner," and שָׁם (sham), meaning "there." This inherent meaning conveys a sense of displacement, temporary residence, and being an outsider in a land not one's own. The base definition also notes its close relationship to, and sometimes interchangeability with, גֵּרְשׁוֹן (Gêrᵉshôn, `{{H1648}}`), the name of Levi's firstborn son, which carries a similar semantic range related to sojourning or expulsion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Gershom (`{{H1647}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible referring to several individuals, though its most prominent bearer is the firstborn son of Moses.
1. **Gershom, son of Moses:** This is the most significant occurrence. Moses named his son Gershom upon his birth in Midian, reflecting his personal experience of exile from Egypt [[Exodus 2:22]]. Gershom is mentioned again when Moses returns to Egypt with his family [[Exodus 4:20]] and when Jethro brings Zipporah and her sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to Moses in the wilderness [[Exodus 18:3-4]]. Later genealogies confirm Gershom as the ancestor of a Levitical family, specifically one involved in temple treasuries [[1 Chronicles 23:15-16]], [[1 Chronicles 26:24]]. A notable, though controversial, reference to a descendant of this Gershom is found in [[Judges 18:30]], where Jonathan, a priest to the tribe of Dan's idolatrous cult, is identified as "the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh" (though some ancient manuscripts and interpretations read "Moses" instead of "Manasseh," likely a scribal emendation to protect Moses's reputation).
2. **Gershom, son of Levi (variant of Gershon):** In some instances, `{{H1647}}` "Gershom" appears where `{{H1648}}` "Gershon" (Levi's firstborn) is expected, particularly in genealogical lists. For example, [[1 Chronicles 6:16]] (Hebrew 6:1) lists "Gershom" as the first son of Levi, alongside Kohath and Merari, indicating an interchangeable usage or textual variant for the eponymous ancestor of the Gershonite clan. These Gershonites were a major division of the Levites responsible for carrying the tabernacle's coverings and curtains [[Numbers 3:25-26]].
3. **Gershom, a descendant of Phinehas:** Among those who returned with Ezra from Babylonian exile, a Gershom is listed as a leader of the sons of Phinehas, a priestly lineage [[Ezra 8:2]]. This indicates a distinct individual from Moses's son or the eponymous ancestor.
4. **Gershom, a Kohathite Levite:** [[1 Chronicles 6:43]] (Hebrew 6:28) mentions a Gershom as a son of Immer, a descendant of Kohath. This is another distinct individual, a Levite, but from a different branch than the Gershonites.
The various occurrences highlight the name's presence across different periods and Levitical lines, underscoring its significance within the tribal and priestly structures of Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root of the name itself:
* **גֵּר (ger, `{{H1616}}`):** This noun signifies a "sojourner," "alien," or "foreigner." It is a foundational concept in Israelite law and theology, often emphasizing the need for hospitality and protection towards those who are not native-born, remembering Israel's own sojourn in Egypt [[Deuteronomy 10:19]].
* **גֵּרְשׁוֹן (Gêrᵉshôn, `{{H1648}}`):** As noted, this is the name of Levi's firstborn son, and `{{H1647}}` is sometimes used for it. Both names carry the connotation of sojourning or being an outsider, reflecting a shared linguistic root and potentially a shared theological theme.
* **Exile and Sojourning:** The concept embodied by Gershom's name resonates with the broader biblical narrative of Israel's journey from a foreign land (Egypt) to the promised land, and later, the experience of Babylonian exile. It speaks to the transient nature of human life and the longing for a permanent home.
* **Levitical Service:** Many individuals named Gershom or Gershon were Levites, connecting the name's meaning of "sojourner" to the nomadic and dedicated service of the Levites in the tabernacle and temple, who had no territorial inheritance among the tribes.
### Theological Significance
The name Gershom holds profound theological significance, primarily through its association with Moses and the overarching biblical theme of sojourning.
1. **Moses's Personal Theology of Displacement:** Moses's choice of name for his firstborn son reveals his immediate spiritual state: a man in exile, feeling alienated from his people and land. It underscores the human experience of displacement and the search for belonging. Yet, it is precisely in this state of sojourning that God encounters Moses at the burning bush and calls him to deliver Israel, demonstrating God's presence and purpose even in places of perceived foreignness.
2. **The Sojourning Nature of God's People:** Gershom's name serves as a microcosm for the larger narrative of Israel. From Abraham, who was called to be a sojourner in a land not his own [[Genesis 12:1]], to the Israelites' 400-year sojourn in Egypt and their 40-year wanderings in the wilderness, the theme of sojourning is central to their identity. The Law frequently reminds Israel to remember their own experience as sojourners and to treat the alien with kindness [[Leviticus 19:33-34]]. The name Gershom, therefore, encapsulates a core aspect of Israel's covenant identity: they are a people called out, distinct, and often living in a state of temporary residence, looking toward a divine inheritance.
3. **Anticipation of the Heavenly Homeland:** The concept of sojourning extends into New Testament theology, where believers are depicted as "aliens and strangers on earth" [[Hebrews 11:13]], [[1 Peter 2:11]], whose true citizenship is in heaven [[Philippians 3:20]]. Gershom's name, given at the dawn of Israel's nationhood, subtly prefigures this enduring theological truth: that God's people, in every age, are ultimately pilgrims on a journey towards an eternal dwelling with God.
4. **God's Faithfulness to the Displaced:** Despite the sense of alienation implied by the name, God remains faithful to Moses and his descendants. The very fact that Gershom's lineage continues and serves in sacred roles (as seen in the Levites) speaks to God's enduring covenant with those who are called to walk by faith, even when their path leads them through "foreign lands."
### Summary
Gershom (גֵּרְשֹׁם, `{{H1647}}`), meaning "a sojourner there," is a significant Hebrew proper noun. Its most notable bearer is Moses's firstborn son, whose naming explicitly reflects Moses's personal experience of exile and displacement [[Exodus 2:22]]. The name also appears as a variant of Gershon (`{{H1648}}`), Levi's son, and identifies other Levites and priests. Theologically, Gershom encapsulates the profound biblical theme of sojourning, highlighting the transient nature of human existence, Israel's identity as a pilgrim people, and ultimately, the believer's journey toward a heavenly homeland, all under the faithful guidance of God.
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