'Wards' in the Bible

So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards.

Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;