יהושע, פרק כ״ב, פסוק ה׳

Physical distance from a community's spiritual center often threatens to weaken a person's identity and loyalty. As certain tribes prepare to settle in a new territory outside the main borders of the land, they face this exact danger. Because they are moving far away from God's Tabernacle, they receive a severe and special warning to protect their religious commitment. The physical separation creates a unique spiritual risk that demands extra caution [מצודת דוד].

The primary approach among commentators is that relocating outside the land does not mean these tribes are leaving the nation. They remain a full part of the people. Because of this, they carry the absolute duty to observe the teachings of Moses with the exact same devotion and dedication as if they were still living side by side with the rest of the nation [ביאור שטיינזלץ].