Hazor and Ramah are west of the approach route to Jerusalem. The last six villages from Gittaim to Ono are in the west at the southern end of the coastal Plain of Sharon about 48 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Jerusalem.

The valley of craftsmen (Hebrew Ge-harashim) is understood by Revised Standard Version to be a description of Ono (also New Revised Standard Version, Nouvelle Bible Segond, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Darby). But it may be a separate place (so Good News Translation, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant). It is thought to be a valley between Lod and Ono. A change in the Hebrew vowels changes the word for craftsmen to “woods,” which may have been the description of the valley. New Revised Standard Version translates it as “the valley of artisans,” New Jerusalem Bible calls it “the Valley of Craftsmen,” while Traduction œcuménique de la Bible calls it “the valley of Laborers.” Some versions transliterate and retain the Hebrew name Ge-harashim (so Revised English Bible, BNT, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). This Handbook advises translators to say “the valley of craftsmen” or “Craftsmen’s Valley” and to present it as a separate place from Ono.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .