What isn't characteristic of tribes is that they have full-time governmental authorities. All of the other characteristics - simple fod domesitcation, small local communities and the reliance on family law in domestic matters are, however, things which are characteristic of tribes.
Within general theories of cultural evolution, chiefdoms are characterized by permanent and institutionalized forms of political leadership (the chief), centralized decision-making, economic interdependence, and social hierarchy.
A state has the following four characteristics: (a) population, territory, sovereignty, and government.
chieftainA tribal chief or chieftain is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom.
Two contrasting regional forms of chiefdoms have been described: hierarchies (Earle 1978, 1987) and heterarchies (Ehrenreich et al. 1995). Within chiefly hierarchies, a ruling aristocracy occupies local and regional offices with generalized responsibilities in social, political, and religious affairs.
Unlike bands and tribes, chiefdoms have effective control over a region. What distinguishes states from chiefdoms, tribes and bands, is the lesser importance granted to kinship, marriage, descent, and gender.
Most chiefdoms have economies based on intensive agriculture (except in Pacific Northwest). Manychiefdoms (ancient Hawai'i) had/have intensive agriculture w complex irrigation systems.
Seniority in kin groups is usually the primary basis for individual status within chiefdoms. The chief is at the top of the kinship hierarchy. Other people are commonly ranked in terms of their genealogical distance from the chief.
The most common response to miracles in the New Testament is disbelief.
The authors of the Gospels were detached from their subject matter and attempted to offer objective and balanced perspectives of Jesus.