במדבר, פרק ל״ב, פסוק ט׳

Moses recounts the tragic story of the spies to the Israelites, reminding the nation of the exact route those men took and the devastating effect their report had on the morale of the people. The journey began with the men traveling geographically upward into the land [אבן עזרא]. Their very first destination was the Valley of Eshcol. Because this valley was located in the southern region, close to their starting point, the historical sequence of events is presented in exact chronological order [העמק דבר].

Once the spies arrived and surveyed the territory, they were deeply displeased with what they saw. Their negative reaction led them to actively discourage the Israelites. By breaking the spirit of the people, they caused their own brothers to shrink back in fear and completely refuse to enter the land that God had given to them [ביאור שטיינזלץ].