יהושע, פרק י״ח, פסוק ה׳

As the settlement of the Land of Israel progresses, a critical phase begins for the seven tribes still waiting for their permanent homes. With the territories of Judah and the House of Joseph already established, the remaining land must now be surveyed and divided into seven distinct portions to be distributed by lottery.

Though it appears that human leaders are actively carving up the map, the process is entirely guided by a higher power. The division unfolds as if on its own, perfectly aligning with the will of God [מלבי״ם]. The seven tribes will ultimately find themselves distributed among portions that were written and determined for them in advance [רד״ק]. The primary approach among commentators is that this mapping effort is comprehensive, encompassing not only the regions already conquered but also those tracts of land that will be secured in the future.

The division is limited to exactly seven parts because the two major tribes, Judah and Joseph, are to remain anchored in their current domains, their borders final and unchanging [מלבי״ם]. Judah holds its position in the south, a placement possibly influenced by Caleb, who had previously been granted a specific portion in that very region [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Meanwhile, the House of Joseph remains stationed in the north. This northern boundary is relative to the areas already subdued, even though vast stretches of unconquered territory remain further north extending toward Hamat [רש״י].

With Judah firmly planted in the south and Joseph in the north, the seven remaining tribes are destined to receive their inheritances in the available space between these two established borders, as well as throughout the rest of the land still awaiting conquest [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].