Charles Spurgeon Commentary Genesis 33:1-2

"And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost." — Genesis 33:1-2 (ASV)

He placed them in the order of his affection for them, the most beloved in the rear.