יהושע, פרק כ׳, פסוק ב׳

Following the long process of conquering and dividing the Promised Land, a new phase of national life begins. The establishment of a civil society requires a system of justice and protection, leading to the practical instruction to designate cities of refuge.

The timing of this instruction is highly deliberate. The primary approach among commentators is that the obligation to set aside these safe havens takes effect only after the Israelites have fully inherited and settled the land. Therefore, God issues this command only at this specific moment, right after the tribal inheritances are completely distributed [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

This step serves as a direct continuation and completion of the safe havens previously established on the eastern side of the Jordan River. It also ties directly into the process of assigning cities to the Levites. By placing these sanctuaries within the Levite territories, the historical destiny of scattering the tribe of Levi among the rest of the Israelites is fulfilled [רלב״ג].

The establishment of these areas is meant for the direct benefit and welfare of the people [מצודת דוד]. They function as unique sanctuaries designed to absorb and take in those who have committed manslaughter, granting them a place to live safely, which regular cities do not permit [מצודת ציון]. Finally, this entire system is rooted in the original instructions given through Moses, bringing his earlier directives to their practical realization [ביאור שטיינזלץ].