Yosua 8:20

8:20 When the men of Ai turned around, they saw ¹  the smoke from the city ascending into the sky and were so shocked they were unable to flee in any direction. ²  In the meantime the men who were retreating to the desert turned against their pursuers.

Yosua 10:19

10:19 But don’t you delay! Chase your enemies and catch them! ³  Don’t allow them to retreat to ⁴  their cities, for the Lord your God is handing them over to you.” ⁵ 

[8:20]  ¹ 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.

[8:20]  ² tn Heb “and there was not in them hands to flee here or there.” The Hebrew term יָדַיִם (yadayim, “hands”) is idiomatic for “strength.”

[10:19]  ³ tn Heb “But [as for] you, don’t stand still, chase after your enemies and attack them from the rear.”

[10:19]  ⁴ tn Or “enter into.”

[10:19]  ⁵ tn Heb “has given them into your hand.” The verbal form is a perfect of certitude, emphasizing the certainty of the action.