The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded heads of the fathers’ houses: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.
And said unto them, You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites: Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar.