These were the ones chosen from the community, leaders of their ancestral tribes. They were the heads of the thousands of Israel.

"But if they blow with one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the thousands of Israel, must come to you.

He was accompanied by ten leaders, one from each of the Israelite tribes, each one a family leader among the Israelite clans.

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the leaders of the Israelite clans:

As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah -- from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.