16:2a
It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz): There is a textual issue in this verse.
(1) The Septuagint reads from Bethel (that is Luz).
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)
(2) The Masoretic Text reads from Bethel to Luz.
(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Good News Translation, King James Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1) since this agrees with four other biblical references. In Genesis 28:19, 35:6, Joshua 18:13 and Judges 1:23 Bethel is identified with Luz.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
it then continued ⌊westward⌋ from Bethel, which used to be called Luz
-or-
The border went on from the town of Bethel. In the past Bethel was called Luz
16:2b
and proceeded to the border of the Archites in Ataroth: The Archites were a group of people who are mentioned in only one other place in the Bible. In 2 Samuel 15:32 Hushai the Archite is named as a counselor of David.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
The border continued to the town of Ataroth in the territory of the Archites
-or-
It continued to the town of Ataroth in the land of the Arch people
in Ataroth: There is an interpretation issue with the term Ataroth.
(1) It refers to a town called Ataroth whose location is unknown. This town is also mentioned in verse 16:7.
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, NET Bible, God’s Word)
(2) It refers to the town of Ataroth Addar, which is mentioned in Joshua 16:5 and 18:13. The Good News Translation adds the word Addar in verse 2 to show that these both refer to the same place.
(Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and translate this term Ataroth. Biblical scholars do not agree on whether the town referred to in this verse is Ataroth Addar or is a different town called Ataroth.
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