This verse introduces the duties of the Gershonites, which are listed in verses 25-26.

This is the service of the families of the Gershonites: For the Hebrew word rendered service, see the comments on verse 4. As there, it may be translated “task” or “responsibility” (similarly Good News Translation). Families renders the Hebrew word mishpachah, which is better translated “clans” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh; see 1.2).

In serving and bearing burdens: For bearing burdens, which renders the Hebrew word massaʾ, see verse 15. The Hebrew differs here from the end of verse 15 by also including the word for serving (ʿabad), which seems to suggest that the tasks of the Gershonites were less central and perhaps more subordinate than those of the Kohathites. Good News Translation and many other translations do not reflect this. Good models for this whole phrase are “as they serve and carry burdens” (similarly New International Version), “how they have to serve and what they are to carry” (similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), and “as they serve by carrying burdens.”

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .