Exodus 3:16

Elders of Israel] The heads or representatives of the tribes and families. It appears from this that even in Egypt the Israelites had some kind of organisation. In the Pentateuch, when the people of Israel are addressed, it is frequently the 'elders' who are meant. They are the usual medium of communication between Moses and the people, and act as the representatives of the latter: see e.g. Exodus 17:5; Exodus 19:7; Deuteronomy 27:1; Deuteronomy 31:9; Deuteronomy 31:28.