While in Egypt, before they were reduced to slavery, the Hebrews were organized as a tribal society, administrated by family heads, or patriarchs.
कित्येक शतकांपर्यंत यहोवाच्या सेवकांमध्ये सहसा कुलप्रमुखच आपापल्या घराण्यावर राज्य करायचे.