Genesis 32:19

19 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, "In this manner shall ye speak unto Esau when ye find him.

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 And he commanded the foremost, saying, "When Esau my brother meeteth thee and asketh thee, saying, `Whose art thou? And whither goest thou? And whose are these before thee?'

18 then thou shalt say, `They are thy servant Jacob's. It is a present sent unto my lord Esau; and behold also, he is behind us.'"

19 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, "In this manner shall ye speak unto Esau when ye find him.

20 And say ye moreover, `Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us.'" For he said, "I will appease him with the presents that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me."

21 So went the presents over before him, and he himself lodged that night in the company.