While in Egypt, before they were reduced to slavery, the Hebrews were organized as a tribal society, administrated by family heads, or patriarchs.
اسرائیلیان پیش از آن که در مصر به بردگی کشیده شوند ،‏ جامعه‌ای تحت سرپرستی پاتْریارْک‌ها یا سران خاندان بودند .‏