עובדיה, פרק א׳, פסוק י״ט

In the future days of redemption, the geographic borders of the land will expand in unprecedented ways, completely reshaping the ancient tribal map. The Israelites will break through their previous limits in every direction, settling territories they once avoided due to security threats and taking over the lands of their enemies. This massive expansion will begin in the south and west. The residents of the southern Negev region, belonging to the tribes of Judah and Simeon, will push southward to take possession of the mountain of Esau [רש״י, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. As this mountain is destined to become desolate, the Israelites will be able to settle the surrounding plains in complete safety [רד״ק], with their new borders eventually encompassing the lands of Edom, Ammon, and Moab [מלבי״ם]. At the same time, those living in the valley region known as the Shephelah [מצודת ציון] will push their borders westward, taking over the adjacent land of the Philistines [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל].

A major shift will also occur in how the people live, marked by a transition from fortified mountain dwellings to open plains and valleys. Historically, the Israelites were forced to build their homes and plant their crops high in the mountains to protect themselves from enemies. In the future, however, God will grant them such profound security and abundance that they will live in the open valleys without fear [רד״ק, צאינה וראינה]. This newfound safety will allow them to safely inhabit the open fields of Ephraim and Samaria. During the days of Joshua, the Israelites only managed to conquer the mountainous region of Ephraim, as the Canaanites controlled the valleys below with iron chariots. Similarly, King Omri only purchased the mountainous area of Samaria. Ultimately, the Israelites will reclaim their original territories in their entirety, finally taking possession of the vulnerable fields and valleys [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. These fields also represent the vast, open spaces beyond familiar settlements, pointing toward a steady expansion toward the eastern side of the Jordan River [מלבי״ם].

This eastward expansion will cross the Jordan River itself. The tribe of Benjamin, whose historical border stopped at the river's western bank, will cross over to the east and take possession of the region of Gilead without anyone standing in their way [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. Because the land of Gilead originally belonged to the tribe of Manasseh, Benjamin's relocation there signals a much larger geographic shift. It indicates that the tribe of Manasseh, along with the rest of the tribes, will also push their own borders outward, spreading even further east far beyond their known historical limits [רש״י, רד״ק, אברבנאל].