Several versions give a translation similar to:
It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz), crossed over to the territory
of the Arkites in Ataroth,
Such versions inlcude: NIV, NLT, BSB, etc. Ellicott has a similar comment:
Joshua 16:2. From Bethel to Luz — Dupin translates this Bethel-Luz,
and Dr. Waterland, Bethel, which is Luz; for we sometimes find them
mentioned as one and the same place, as Joshua 18:13; Jdg 1:23; and it
is probable that in a length of time they were united, and the
inhabitants of the former went to the latter.
Similarly, the Cambridge commentary has:
- and goeth out] Thence it passed on to Luz. It seems impossible to determine exactly whether Bethel and Luz were the same town, Luz being
the Canaanite and Bethel the Hebrew name, or whether they were
distinct places close to one another.
(a) This verse, Joshua 18:13, and Genesis 28:19, seem to favour the
last interpretation.
(b) Genesis 35:6, Jdg 1:23, favour the former.
The conclusion of Mr Grove is “that the two places were distinct
during the times preceding the conquest, Luz being the city, and
Bethel the pillar and altar of Jacob; but after the destruction of Luz
by the tribe of Ephraim the town of Bethel arose.” See his Article in
Smith’s Bibl. Dict.