What is the significance of the order in which the Torah presents the spies?
Ramban and Moshav Zekenim: The Torah reckons them according to status, either based on Chochmah, on age or on Kavod 1 , since the Torah is listing them on a personal basis, not as leaders of their respective tribes. Also the Nesi'im to divide Eretz Yisrael (34:17-29) are listed in order of their intrinsic importance.
Seforno: The Torah presents them according to age 2 - since, at that stage, they were all equal in status and in the capacity for which they were chosen.
Riva (in Pasuk 8): Moshe changed the order in a few ways, with great wisdom, to show that they should [not 3 ] go together united, rather, they should separate, so that the [Cana'ani] nations will be afraid of them.
Emes le'Ya'akov: The first four tribes are in the order of Leah's children. After this, because the people came in disarray, Moshe blessed Yehoshua, and listed the rest according to importance or age. 4
Oznayim la'Torah: Since the people aproached Moshe is disarray, the Torah also lists the spies in disarray. 5
Emes le'Ya'akov: It is difficult to say that the spies of Reuven and Shimon were greater than Yehoshua and Calev? Refer also to 13:23:4:1.
Emes le'Ya'akov: This is unlike the Seider ha'Doros, who says that Yehoshua was older than Calev!
There is a printing mistake in the Riva. It seems that it should say like this. Alternatively, it should say 'they should go together united, and not separate.' (PF).
See Rashi, Devarim 1:22.
See Rashi Devarim 1:22
