Joshua 20:3

20:3 Anyone who accidentally kills someone can escape there; ¹  these cities will be a place of asylum from the avenger of blood.

Joshua 8:20

8:20 When the men of Ai turned around, they saw ²  the smoke from the city ascending into the sky and were so shocked they were unable to flee in any direction. ³  In the meantime the men who were retreating to the desert turned against their pursuers.

Joshua 20:9

20:9 These were the cities of refuge ⁴  appointed for all the Israelites and for resident foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed someone could escape there and not be executed by ⁵  the avenger of blood, at least until his case was reviewed by the assembly. ⁶ 

¹ tn Heb “so that the one who kills, taking life accidentally without knowledge, may flee there.”

² tn Heb “and they saw, and look.” The Hebrew term הִנֵּה (hinneh, “look”) draws attention to the scene and invites the audience to view the events from the perspective of the men of Ai.

³ tn Heb “and there was not in them hands to flee here or there.” The Hebrew term יָדַיִם (yadayim, “hands”) is idiomatic for “strength.”

³ tn The Hebrew text reads simply “the cities.” The words “for refuge” are supplied for clarification.

⁴ tn Heb “and not die by the hand of.”

⁵ tn Heb “until he stands before the assembly.” The words “at least” are supplied for clarification.