Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ramban · Torah
Ramban on Numbers 13:4/רמב"ן על במדבר י״ג:ד׳
אלְמַטֵּה רְאוּבֵן וְגוֹ' מָנָה הַכָּתוּב הַשְּׁבָטִים לֹא לְדִגְלֵיהֶם וְלֹא לְצִבְאוֹתָם וְלֹא כְּתוֹלְדוֹתָם, וְנִרְאֶה שֶׁרָאָה לִמְנוֹתָם הֵנָּה לְפִי מַעֲלַת הַשְּׁלוּחִים, כִּי הָיוּ רָאשִׁים וּנְשִׂיאִים בָּעָם כַּאֲשֶׁר סִפֵּר, וְאֵין מַעֲלָתָם שָׁוָה, אֲבָל יֵשׁ בָּהֶם גָּדוֹל מֵחֲבֵרוֹ בְּחָכְמָה וּבְכָבוֹד, וְהִקְדִּים הַנִּכְבָּד הַקּוֹדֵם בְּמַעֲלָה, כִּי מִמַּעֲלַת עַצְמָם מְנָאָם לֹא לְמַעֲלַת הַשֵּׁבֶט. וְכֵן בַּנְּשִׂיאִים הַחוֹלְקִים לָהֶם אֶת אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן (להלן לד יז-כט) הִזְכִּירָם כְּפִי הַמַּעֲלָה לֹא לְתוֹלְדוֹתָם:
1OF THE TRIBE OF REUBEN etc. The verse [here] lists the tribes neither according to [the pattern of encampment of] their standards, nor according to the order of birth [of the ancestors of each tribe]. It appears that Scripture saw fit to mention them here according to the importance of the delegates [on the mission], for they were heads and princes of the people, as is related,27 but they were not all of equal standing, some of them being greater than the others in wisdom and honor; therefore Scripture mentioned first those who were most honored, who were first in status, since it named them according to their personal standing, not that of their tribe. Similarly in [citing the names of] the princes who were to divide the Land up amongst the people,40 He mentioned them according to their personal standing, not according to the order of birth [of the tribal ancestors].