6. Went out toward the sea. For clarity this clause ought to have been connected with the final clause in 5. “Beth-horon the upper” is here mentioned instead of “Beth-horon the nether” in 3. But the two places were very near each other, and perhaps the separate mention of both serves to indicate that both belonged to Ephraim. From here the border went out to the sea passing Gezer, as already mentioned in 3.
To Michmethah. The “to” is not in the original text. The writer has begun to define the north border, and the sentence should not be connected to the preceding. Michmethah is described in 17:7 as being before Shechem, probably a short distance to the east or southeast.
Went about eastward. Literally, “turned eastward.” The course is thought to be from Tappuah (see 8) northeast to Michmethah, and then eastward to Taanath-shiloh.
Taanath-shiloh. It is thought to be the same as Khirbet Ta‘nah el-Fôqàor ‘Ain Tana, a place of ruins southeast of the modern Nablus, which is near the site of ancient Shechem.
East to Janohah. Probably Khirbet YÃÂnûn, now a ruin, about 6 (9.6 ) southeast of Shechem.