Paragraph 20:7–9

20:7a

So: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So indicates the next event in the storyline. Choose a connecting word that is natural in your language.

they set apart: The pronoun they refers to the people of Israel. The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as set apart means to choose something for a special use.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

the people chose
-or-
they designated

Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali: The town of Kedesh was northwest of the Sea of Galilee. It is mentioned in 19:37.

Galilee: Galilee is the name of a region in northern Israel. It was a part of the land assigned to the clan of Naphtali.

the hill country of Naphtali: The term hill country of Naphtali refers to the mountainous region that belonged to the clan of Naphtali.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

The people of Israel chose the town of Kedesh. It was in the region of Galilee in the hill country that belonged to Naphtali.
-or-
Then they designated the town of Kedesh in Galilee in the mountainous region that belonged to the clan of Naphtali.

20:7b

Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim: The town of Shechem was on the boundary of the clan of Ephraim and Manasseh. This town was in the middle region of the country of Israel. It is mentioned in 17:7.

hill country of Ephraim: The term hill country of Ephraim refers to the mountainous region that belonged to the clan of Ephraim.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

They also chose the town of Shechem. It was in the mountain country of the clan of Ephraim.
-or-
They also designated the town of Shechem. It was in the hill country of the clan of Ephraim.

20:7c

and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron): The town of Kiriath-arba was mentioned in 15:13 and 14:15. Its name was later changed to Hebron. It was in the southern area of Israel, fifteen miles southwest of Jerusalem.

in the hill country of Judah: The term hill country of Judah refers to the mountainous region which belonged to the clan of Judah.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

They also chose the town of Kiriath-arba in the mountain country of the clan of Judah. The name of that town is now Hebron.
-or-
They also appointed the town of Kiriath-arba which was in the hill country of the clan of Judah. That town is now called Hebron.

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