What is "gershom"

According to the Bible, Gershom (; ) was the firstborn son of Moses and Zipporah. The name appears to mean a sojourner there (גר שם ger sham), which the text argues was a reference to Moses' flight from Egypt. Biblical scholars regard the name as being essentially the same as Gershon and it is Gershom rather than Gershon who is sometimes listed by the Book of Chronicles as a founder of one of the principal Levite factions. Textual scholars attribute the description of Gershom to a different source text to the genealogy involving Gershom.

The passage in Exodus concerning Moses and Zipporah reaching an inn appears to suggest that some being, possibly God or an angel, attacks either Gershom or Moses, until a circumcision is carried out by Zipporah on Gershom.

The later Books of Chronicles identify Shebuel as a "son" of Gershom, though this is anachronistic for a literal interpretation of the bible because Shebuel is described as living in the time of King David. The Hebrew word for son can also mean a descendant; for example even remote descendants of King David are in many instances called "Sons of David" in the original Hebrew.

Gershom can refer to any of the following:

• Gershom, the firstborn son of Moses
• Gershom ben Judah (c. 960 -1040? -1028?), Rabbeinu Gershom