גרשון
Meaning of the name גרשון
Gershon is an ancient and honorable Hebrew name with deep meaning and strong biblical roots. The name carries a rich history that begins in the patriarchal period and continues throughout all generations of the Jewish people. Gershon was the firstborn son of Levi, son of Jacob our forefather, and was born in Egypt before the Israelites descended into slavery. As the firstborn of the tribe of Levi, Gershon founded one of the three Levitical families that bore the heavy responsibility of caring for the Tabernacle and holy vessels in the wilderness and later in the Temple. The meaning of the name Gershon derives from the root G-R-SH, which has several fascinating interpretations. The primary and most accepted interpretation relates to the concept of "ger" - stranger, sojourner, one who lives in a foreign land. Indeed, in the Book of Genesis it is told that Leah, mother of Levi, named this grandson after the family's condition - "I have been a stranger in a foreign land." This is an expression of the patriarchs' deep awareness of their status as strangers in Egypt, of the sense of alienation and exile that accompanied them. The name Gershon echoes the experience of exile, but also the expectation of redemption and return to the Promised Land. There are also additional interpretations of the name, such as "megaresh" - one who expels and distances evil and harmful forces, or "gorash" - one who was expelled from his place but carries within him the seed of return. The role of Gershon and his descendants, the sons of Gershon, was central in the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness. They were responsible for carrying the curtains of the Tabernacle - the tent, the covering, the veil, and the hangings. This was holy work that required care, respect, and fear of Heaven. The Gershonite family received thirteen cities in the inheritance of Israel, including cities of refuge for accidental killers. Throughout the generations, the sons of Gershon served as Levites in the Temple, engaged in song and music, and guarded the sanctity of the place. The name Gershon thus carries the meaning of service, devotion, holiness, and deep connection to the spiritual heritage of the Jewish people. It is a name that reminds us of the importance of preserving tradition, the value of public service for the community, and the power inherent in deep roots and living historical memory.
The name גרשון with vowels
גֵּרְשׁוֹן
The name גרשון in English
Gershon | Gershom | Gerson
גרשון is mainly suitable for
Boy
Is the name גרשון considered international
No
Origin of the name גרשון from the Bible
Exodus 6:16 - And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari
Origin of the name גרשון from Kabbalah
In Kabbalah, the name Gershon symbolizes the spiritual journey of the soul in this world - the feeling of strangeness and alienation of the soul in the material world, but also the aspiration to return to its divine roots. The name carries the tension between exile and redemption, between matter and spirit, and expresses the human role as a temporary 'stranger' in the material world, always striving to ascend and approach holiness.
Gematria value for the name גרשון
559
=
3
ג
+
200
ר
+
300
ש
+
6
ו
+
50
ן
Numerology value for the name גרשון
1
=
3
ג
+
200
ר
+
300
ש
+
6
ו
+
50
ן
=
559
=
5
+
5
+
9
=
19
=
1
+
9
=
10
=
1
+
0
=
1
Famous people named גרשון
Gershon Hacohen (Israeli journalist) | Gershon Shaked (literary scholar) | Gershon Weiss (composer) | Gershon Baskin (political activist) | Gershon Agron (first mayor of Jerusalem)
Total times the name גרשון was registered
1378 times
Graph of the name גרשון
* Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. As of April 2022