This answer, we would presume, came to them through Phinehas, the high priest, who may have inquired by Urim and Thummim. The men of Judah were to take the lead perhaps because they were the most numerous tribe (Num. 2); they may also have been the most courageous, for they had in their number Caleb, who alone, with Joshua, of all the ten spies wanted to press ahead to invade the land many years before. In the desert wanderings Judah had always marched first. Now they were chosen to open the campaign.

This is a prophetic statement. That which is sure to happen is expressed as if it were already accomplished. “The land” here means Judah’s lot.