במדבר, פרק י״ג, פסוק כ״א

The scouts embarked on a comprehensive expedition to evaluate the land from its southernmost tip to its northernmost edge, aiming to understand its overall nature, climate, and borders. They launched their journey from the Wilderness of Zin, a southern region of Canaan [ביאור שטיינזלץ] that forms part of the larger Wilderness of Paran [שד״ל, בכור שור]. From there, they advanced toward Rehov, which is understood either as a specific city near Hamath—distinct from other towns with the same name—or as a general description of wide city streets and public squares [הכתב והקבלה, בכור שור]. The expedition ultimately reached its final destination at Lebo-hamath on the northern edge of the territory, located in the area of modern-day Syria [העמק דבר, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The precise route the scouts took is viewed through several distinct perspectives. One approach suggests they followed a right-angled path. Beginning in the southeastern corner of the land, they traveled west along the southern border until they reached the Mediterranean Sea, then turned north to follow the western coastline up to Hamath in the northwest [רש״י, מזרחי, ברכת אשר]. They were able to navigate this specific route because Moses had given them clear geographical landmarks, such as the sea to the west and Mount Hor to the north [משכיל לדוד]. Alternatively, another view proposes that the scouts took a direct diagonal path, cutting straight from the southeast corner to the northwest [רש ר הירש, חזקוני]. A third perspective emphasizes that they simply marched straight from south to north. By doing so, they operated as open explorers conducting a public survey, rather than acting like secret spies who typically hide along the borders [מלבי״ם].

Rather than entering every single city, the scouts chose to traverse the maximum length and width of the land. This strategic decision was based on the fact that soil quality, weather, and geographical features shift significantly across the east-west and north-south axes. By covering the extreme edges of the territory, they were able to experience the full spectrum of its climates and terrains, gaining a complete understanding of the land without needing to inspect every individual location [שפתי חכמים, גור אריה].

A final detail concerns whether the scouts followed Moses' initial instructions regarding their point of entry. The primary approach among commentators is that they faithfully obeyed his command to enter the land through the southern region of the Negev [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. However, a contrasting opinion suggests that they defied Moses right from the beginning. Suspecting that the Negev was the only fertile and desirable part of the territory, they intentionally altered their route, saving the tour of the southern region for the very end of their journey [שפתי כהן].