# from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim

This is a merism that means the whole land over which Jehoshaphat reigned, from the most southern part to the most northern part, and is intended to include the whole land in between. AT: "of all the land of Judah" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

# brought them back to Yahweh

The author speaks of Jehoshaphat's leading the people back to serving Yahweh as if he were carrying them back to where they were at an earlier time. AT: "convinced them to return to Yahweh" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# fathers

"ancestors" or "forefathers"

# fortified cities

cities with walls around them for protection

# city by city

"for every city"