She told them, "Head to the hill country, so the ones chasing you don't find you. Hide from them there for three days, long enough for those chasing you to return. Then you can be on your way."

They went to the hill country and stayed there for three days, long enough for those chasing them to return. Their pursuers looked all along the way but did not find them.

from Ekron westward, all those in the vicinity of Ashdod and their towns;

The border of Manasseh went from Asher to Micmethath which is near Shechem. It then went south toward those who live in Tappuah.

But the men of Manasseh were unable to conquer these cities; the Canaanites managed to remain in those areas.

When the men started out, Joshua told those going to map out the land, "Go, walk through the land, map it out, and return to me. Then I will draw lots for you before the Lord here in Shiloh."