Most of this verse about the Gershonites has no parallel verse in the passage concerning the Merarites (verses 29-33). Perhaps this indicates that the Gershonites and their duties were considered as more important than the Merarites and their duties. So the difference between verses 27-28 and verse 33 may well be significant. In Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch this difference is no longer clear, since it has combined verses 27-28.

All the service of the sons of the Gershonites shall be at the command of Aaron and his sons: For the Hebrew word rendered service, see verse 4. The sons of the Gershonites may be rendered simply “the Gershonites” (Good News Translation). At the command of Aaron and his sons is literally “Upon the mouth of Aaron and his sons,” which is a figurative expression that means “just as Aaron and his sons command” in this context. New Living Translation provides a helpful model for this whole clause, saying “Aaron and his sons will direct the Gershonites regarding all their duties.”

In all that they are to carry, and in all that they have to do: As in verse 24 (see the comments there), there were two aspects to the work of the Gershonites. They had to carry parts of the Tabernacle and they had to serve. Are to carry renders the Hebrew word massaʾ, which is translated “bearing burdens” in verse 24; have to do renders the word ʿabodah, which comes from the same root as the word translated “serving” in verse 24.

And you shall assign to their charge all that they are to carry: The Hebrew verb rendered you shall assign is plural. Some translations interpret this verb as singular, referring to Moses, since the LORD is speaking to him (see verse 21). De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling follows this interpretation. We advise translators to use the plural here as in Hebrew (so Luther, Buber). Presumably the plural refers to the priests, that is, Aaron and his sons, since they had to oversee the Gershonites as they performed their duties (so Wevers, page 70). This direct speech segment to Aaron and his sons would underscore their authority and primacy within the tribe of Levi. Since the beginning of this verse already refers to Aaron and his sons in the third person, it may be difficult in some languages to refer to them in the second person here. If so, translators may use the third person for them in this sentence; for example, Bible en français courant says “These [Aaron and his sons] will tell them [the Gershonites] what they have to do and to carry,” New Afrikaans Version has “They [Aaron and his sons] have to see to it that the Gershon group carries out all its duties,” and New Living Translation translates “They [Aaron and his sons] must assign the Gershonites responsibility for the loads they are to carry.” For charge, which renders the Hebrew word mishmeret, see the comments on 3.25. Are to carry translates the Hebrew word massaʾ again.

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 .