their names being changed] That is, of some of them; partly because some of them imported Idolatrous notions, as Nebo, Isaiah 46:1. and Bamoth, Baal, Baal-meon; haply for that prohibition, Exodus 23:13. and partly for remembrance of some remarkable thing done in them, or happening to them; especially for an honourable remembrance of those who wonne them, o were at cost to repaire them; though the old names were not quite out of use, as Josh. 13. Jer. 48. Ezekiel 25:9. yet they might be changed; as Jacobs name was changed into Israel, yet is the name of Jacob often mentioned afterwards; the like is observed of Kiriath-arba, called afterward Hebron; yet so, that the old name was sometimes renued, Nehemiah 11:25. And as there was a change of names of places, so those names (as the name of Gilead) were taken sometimes for a lger sometimes for a narrower portion of land.