or גֵּרְשׁוֹם; from גָּרַשׁ; a refugee; Gereshon or Gereshom, an Israelite; Gershon, Gershom.
Transliteration:Gêrᵉshôwn
Pronunciation:gay-resh-one'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H1648}}` (Gêrᵉshôwn or Gêrᵉshôm) derives from the verb `{{H1644}}` (gārash), which fundamentally means "to drive out, cast out, expel, divorce." Consequently, the base definition of `{{H1648}}` is "a refugee" or "one driven out." This etymological root is crucial for understanding the semantic range of the name, which consistently points to a state of being a sojourner, an alien, or one displaced from their native land. The two primary forms, Gêrᵉshôwn and Gêrᵉshôm, are variations of the same underlying concept, both embodying the idea of being an expatriate or a stranger. This inherent meaning imbues the biblical figures bearing this name with a profound symbolic significance related to the themes of pilgrimage, displacement, and divine provision in foreign lands.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H1648}}` appears prominently in the biblical narrative, primarily associated with two significant figures:
1. **Gershon, Son of Levi:** As the firstborn son of Levi, Gershon (often rendered Gershom in some genealogies, e.g., [[1 Chronicles 6:16]]) became the progenitor of one of the three major Levitical clans: the Gershonites. Their specific role in the wilderness Tabernacle service was to transport the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the Tabernacle, as well as the cords and all the equipment for their service (cf. [[Numbers 3:25-26]], [[Numbers 4:24-26]], [[Numbers 7:7]]). This duty involved handling the outer, more visible components of God's dwelling, which might subtly resonate with the name's meaning of being "outside" or a "sojourner" in relation to the inner, holier items. Their allocated dwelling places were also on the west side of the Tabernacle, emphasizing their specific position within the camp (cf. [[Numbers 3:23]]).
2. **Gershom, Son of Moses:** Moses named his firstborn son Gershom (cf. [[Exodus 2:22]]) with an explicit etymological explanation: "For he said, 'I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.'" This naming act directly links the meaning of `{{H1648}}` to Moses' personal experience of exile and displacement from Egypt, living in Midian. Later, when Jethro brings Zipporah and Moses' sons to him, Gershom is again mentioned (cf. [[Exodus 18:3]]). This personal application of the name underscores the theme of the Israelites' own journey as sojourners in the wilderness, anticipating their eventual arrival in the Promised Land.
Beyond these two primary figures, the name appears in various genealogies and lists, consistently tracing back to either the Levitical line of Gershon or the descendants of Moses. The consistent use of the name, particularly for such foundational figures, highlights its symbolic weight within the unfolding narrative of God's people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The core meaning of `{{H1648}}` is deeply intertwined with several related Hebrew words and theological concepts:
* **`{{H1644}}` (gārash):** The verbal root from which Gershon/Gershom derives. This verb's primary meaning of "to drive out, cast out, expel" provides the foundational sense of displacement inherent in the name.
* **`{{H1616}}` (gēr):** This noun signifies a "sojourner," "alien," or "foreigner" residing in a land not their own. This term perfectly encapsulates the experience implied by the name Gershon/Gershom, particularly in the context of Israel's wilderness wanderings and their identity as God's chosen people living in a world that is not their ultimate home.
* **`{{H5237}}` (nōkhrî):** Another term for a "foreigner" or "stranger," often implying one from a different nation or lineage. While `{{H1616}}` emphasizes temporary residence, `{{H5237}}` highlights foreignness.
* **Exile and Sojourning:** The name resonates with the overarching biblical theme of God's people being sojourners and pilgrims on earth, from Abraham's call to leave Ur (cf. [[Genesis 12:1]]) to the nation of Israel's journey through the wilderness and subsequent exiles.
* **Divine Providence:** The naming of Gershom by Moses, explicitly linking it to his status as a "sojourner," illustrates how God's hand is seen even in moments of displacement, turning what might seem like misfortune into a testament of dependence and divine leading.
### Theological Significance
The name `{{H1648}}` carries profound theological significance, particularly in its reflection of the transient nature of human existence and the peculiar identity of God's people:
1. **Identity as Sojourners:** Both Gershon, the progenitor of a major Levitical clan, and Gershom, the son of the great deliverer Moses, bear names that signify "sojourner" or "one driven out." This is not coincidental. It underscores a fundamental aspect of Israel's identity: they are a people called out by God, often displaced, journeying towards a promised inheritance. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament concept of believers as "strangers and pilgrims" on earth, seeking a heavenly city (cf. [[Hebrews 11:13-16]], [[1 Peter 2:11]]).
2. **God's Presence in Displacement:** Moses' naming of his son Gershom explicitly acknowledges his own displacement. Yet, it is precisely during this period of sojourning in Midian that God calls Moses to lead His people. This highlights a powerful theological truth: God is present with His people even in their exile, their wanderings, and their moments of being "driven out." He provides for them and guides them through their transient states.
3. **The Levitical Role:** The Gershonites' specific duties in the Tabernacle — carrying the curtains and coverings — can be seen as symbolic of the "outer" or "visible" aspects of God's dwelling, which are inherently mobile and temporary during the wilderness journey. Their name, signifying a sojourner, aligns with this role, emphasizing the transient nature of the Tabernacle itself as a portable sanctuary for a journeying people.
4. **Anticipation of the Promised Land:** The constant reminder of being a "sojourner" through names like Gershom implicitly points towards the ultimate destination: the land promised by God. It creates a tension between the present reality of displacement and the future hope of an inherited homeland, a theological pattern that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the eschatological hope of the New Heavens and New Earth.
### Summary
`{{H1648}}` (Gêrᵉshôwn/Gêrᵉshôm) is a Hebrew name derived from the verb "to drive out," signifying "a refugee" or "a sojourner." This core meaning is powerfully illustrated through two prominent biblical figures: Gershon, the son of Levi and progenitor of a major Levitical clan responsible for the Tabernacle's coverings, and Gershom, the firstborn son of Moses, explicitly named to commemorate Moses' own experience as a "sojourner in a foreign land." The name's consistent emphasis on displacement and temporary residence underscores a profound theological theme in the Bible: the identity of God's people as pilgrims on earth, journeying under divine guidance towards a promised inheritance. It highlights God's sovereignty and presence even in moments of exile, transforming displacement into a testament of faith and reliance on Him.
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