These were the portions Moses had given them on the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho.
Joshua balked at dividing land not yet conquered, but God corrected him: take what lies before you now and trust the rest will follow when your numbers require it. Property divided by law and equity, not force, secures the inheritance for your children; what is seized by arms alone is soon lost again, but what God grants cannot be shaken.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 13:7-33
But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance,.... Neither on the other side Jordan, nor did he order them any in Canaan; but expressly declared they were to have no part in the division of it, though they were his own tribe; which shows him to be a disinterested man, that he faithfully observed the orders and instructions the Lord gave him...
Which Moses did distribute - Moses had settled every thing relative to these tribes before his death, having appointed them to possess the territories of Og king of Bashan, and Sihon king of the Amorites. For particulars on this chapter, the reader, if he judge it of consequence, may consult Calmet.