Genesis 32:19

19 He gave the same instructions to the second servant and to the third - to each in turn as they set out with their herds:

Genesis 32:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:19

And so commanded he the second and third
Those who had the care of the second and third droves, he ordered them to say the same things, and in the same words as he had the first: and all that followed the droves;
either all that were with the principal driver; that if any of them should happen to be interrogated first, they might know what to answer; or those that followed the other droves, besides the three mentioned, which countenances Aben Ezra's notion of five droves, before observed: saying, on this manner shall you speak to Esau, when you find him;
that is, when they met him and perceived it was he that put questions to them.

Genesis 32:19 In-Context

17 Then he instructed the first one out: "When my brother Esau comes close and asks, 'Who is your master? Where are you going? Who owns these?'
18 - answer him like this, 'Your servant Jacob. They are a gift to my master Esau. He's on his way.'"
19 He gave the same instructions to the second servant and to the third - to each in turn as they set out with their herds:
20 "Say 'Your servant Jacob is on his way behind us.'" He thought, "I will soften him up with the succession of gifts. Then when he sees me face-to-face, maybe he'll be glad to welcome me."
21 So his gifts went before him while he settled down for the night in the camp.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.