the chief of the fathers: i.e. those named in the next chapter.
chief. heads.
judah and Benjamin. But the other tribes found representatives. Compare Ezra 2:59; Ezra 2:70, where the terms "of Israel" and "all Israel" are used. In 1 Chronicles 9:3, Ephrairn and Manasseh are mentioned by name. See note on 1 Kings 12:17.