The eldest son of Levi, and head of one of the three branches of the Levitical tribe, Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16 . The Gershonites encamped west of the tabernacle in the wilderness, and carried its curtains and other parts form station to station, Numbers 3:17,25; 4:24-28,38 - 41; 10:17 . Thirteen cities were assigned to them in northern Canaan, Joshua 21:6; 1 Chronicles 6:62,71 .