19:29a
The border then turned back toward Ramah: The clause The border then turned back toward Ramah indicates that the border turned in another direction, south toward the town of Ramah. The location of this town is not certain. It was somewhere between Sidon and Tyre.
as far as the fortified city of Tyre: The phrase the fortified city of Tyre indicates a town with strong walls to protect it from enemies. The town of Tyre was on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sidon.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
Then the border turned southward towards Ramah town and continued to the walled town of Tyre
-or-
The boundary turned back south to Ramah town and went as far as Tyre, a town with high walls
19:29b
turned toward Hosah: The location of the town of Hosah is not known.
and came out at the Sea: After reaching the town of Hosah, the border went west and ended at the Mediterranean Sea.
in the region of Achzib: There is an interpretation issue with these two Hebrew words as they are not easy to understand. There are four ways to understand them.
(1) It is two towns called “Mahalab” and Achzib. This is based on the Septuagint and also the parallel passage in Judges 1:31.
(Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation)
(2) It is two towns called “Hebel” and Achzib.
(NET Bible)
(3) The words mean “near Achzib.” For example:
in the region of Achzib (New International Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible)
(4) The words mean “from the coast to Achzib.” For example:
from the coast to Achzib (King James Version)
(King James Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1) and translate it as “Mahalab, Achzib” the names of two towns. This is supported by many English versions, and by Bible commentaries.
Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:
Then the border turned ⌊west⌋ to Hosah town and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. Their land included the towns of Mahalab and Achzib.
-or-
The boundary turned to the town of Hosah and went on to the Mediterranean Sea, to Mahalab and Achzib.
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