יחזקאל, פרק מ״ז, פסוק י״ד

The prophetic vision of the future introduces a complete revolution in how the Land of Israel will be divided among the tribes. This new arrangement represents a sharp departure from the historical past, replacing the old borders with a system based on absolute equality and an ancient covenant.

Unlike the days of Joshua, when land was distributed based on the population size of each tribe, the future distribution will grant every tribe an equally sized portion. Instead of irregularly shaped territories, the land will be organized much like the straight rows of a vineyard. These equal strips of land will stretch from the eastern border all the way to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, with each distinct strip belonging entirely to one tribe [רש״י, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Adding to this vision, another perspective suggests that while the width of these strips will be fixed and equal, their length from east to west will be boundless. This will allow any tribe that grows in number to extend its borders accordingly [מלבי״ם].

This dramatic shift from a population-based division to strict equality accounts for the distant future, specifically the resurrection of the dead. The original historical division was only a temporary measure. In the future, a tribe that currently has few members could suddenly experience massive population growth when its ancestors return to life. Establishing absolute equality from the start ensures that no tribe will ever lack the space needed to accommodate all its people [אברבנאל].

To prevent any resentment from tribes whose future territories might be smaller than their historical ones, God invokes the oath He swore to the forefathers, an action traditionally symbolized by the raising of a hand [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. God makes it clear that the original promise of the land was not made to the generation that left Egypt, who received the first division, but rather to the patriarchs of the nation. Because every tribe shares the exact same connection to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they are all equally entitled to the land through this shared ancestral right [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. This equal claim is further supported by the specific promise made to Jacob regarding an inheritance without limits [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, the land will be granted to the tribes as a lasting inheritance, distributed fairly by lottery [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].