יהושע, פרק י״ג, פסוק ד׳

Mapping the unconquered territories of the Promised Land requires a shift in perspective. After establishing the southern boundary from east to west, the focus turns to measuring the full width of the land that still needs to be taken by the Israelites, tracing a path from the deep south all the way to the north [רש״י].

The starting point for this new measurement is set in the south. The primary approach among commentators is that this southern point marks the beginning of the western boundary line, which stretches steadily upward toward the north [רש״י, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. This route includes the Canaanite territories. There are different ways to view this specific region. It can be understood as the general areas populated by the Canaanite nations, even though the Israelites had already successfully conquered portions of them [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, it refers strictly to the remaining, unconquered Canaanite land located specifically in the southern area [רד״ק].

Following this path, the boundary line moves further to include the area of Mearah, which belonged to the Sidonians. The border then continues its upward journey to Aphek, finally reaching its northern end at the territory of the Amorites [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ].