יהושע, פרק י״ג, פסוק ו׳

As the Israelites stand before vast unconquered territories, particularly the mountainous regions stretching from Lebanon to the waters of Misrephoth currently controlled by the Sidonians, a transition in strategy unfolds [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Although Joshua will not complete the military campaign himself, God provides a clear promise. He assures Joshua that He will personally drive out the inhabitants before the Israelites, a process that will continue after Joshua's passing [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. This divine guarantee ensures a complete transfer of control and authority from the Canaanites to Israel [מלבי״ם].

After seven years of warfare, Joshua is commanded to begin dividing the land immediately. According to tradition, this distribution process would take an additional seven years to complete [רלב״ג]. Joshua's role now centers entirely on this division. He is instructed to cast lots to distribute the whole land among the tribes, including both the regions already secured and those still held by enemies [מצודת דוד]. The purpose of this lottery is to inform each tribe of its designated portion in advance. Once the lots are cast, every tribe will bear the future responsibility of conquering the specific area assigned to them [רש״י, מצודת דוד].

The nature of this distribution highlights a profound difference between a physical possession and an eternal heritage. A simple possession implies the immediate physical transfer of control following a military victory. Because these remaining territories have not yet been conquered, they cannot be classified as a physical possession. Instead, God commands that the land be divided as an eternal heritage, an estate passed down through generations. This establishes the land's future destiny and rightful ownership long before any actual military takeover occurs [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, this directive reinforces Joshua's core mission. His primary duty at this stage is no longer to fight on the battlefield, but to ensure the permanent and orderly distribution of the land to each tribe [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].