Designate. The Sifrei (Parashat Masei) explains that Israel was not obligated to set apart the cities of refuge until after the conquest and settlement of the land, as it is written: “When Hashem your God cuts off the nations,” etc., “and you possess their land,” etc. (Deuteronomy 19:1). Therefore, Hashem did not command Joshua concerning them until the division of the land had been completed.

Unintentionally, without knowledge. In the portion of Masei (Numbers 35:11), Scripture says “unintentionally,” whereas in the portion of Shoftim (Deuteronomy 19:4) it says “without knowledge.” The Sages explained (Makkot 7b): “‘Unintentionally’ excludes one who acted deliberately; ‘without knowledge’ excludes one who intended his action.” Therefore, both expressions are used here. God willing, I have explained the laws of this passage in my commentary on the Torah.

And they consecrated. Regarding the question of how the two and a half tribes could have provided three cities of refuge—the same number as the nine and a half tribes—Ramban answers that the Levitical cities also afforded refuge. There were forty-two ordinary Levitical cities, making forty-eight together with the six cities of refuge. Thus, each tribe provided an average of four cities, amounting to ten cities from the two and a half tribes; and they indeed provided this number, as stated in chapter 21. If one asks why the two and a half tribes were not nevertheless required to provide more Levitical cities, since the ordinary Levitical cities afforded refuge only to one who entered them knowingly, Ramban answers that most Levites dwelt in the Land of Israel, since residence there was more fitting for them because of their service in the House of God.

The designated cities. The word mu’adah follows the same grammatical pattern as musadah, “founded,” indicating that these cities were specially designated as gathering places for anyone who had unintentionally killed a person.