Genesis 32:18

18 say, ‘They are your servant Jacob's, a gift sent to my master Esau. And Jacob is actually right behind us.'"

Genesis 32:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:18

Then thou shall say, [they be] thy servant Jacob's
Both the goats before them, and they themselves that had the care of them, belonged to Jacob, who directed them to speak of him to Esau as his "servant": it [is] a present sent unto my lord Esau;
which is the answer to the second question: and behold also he [is] behind us:
that is, Jacob: this they were bid to tell, lest he should think that Jacob was afraid of him, and was gone another way; but that he was coming to pay a visit to him, and might expect shortly to see him, which would prepare his mind how to behave towards him.

Genesis 32:18 In-Context

16 He separated these herds and gave them to his servants. He said to them, "Go ahead of me and put some distance between each of the herds."

17 He ordered the first group, "When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, ‘Who are you with? Where are you going? And whose herds are these in front of you?'

18 say, ‘They are your servant Jacob's, a gift sent to my master Esau. And Jacob is actually right behind us.'"

19 He also ordered the second group, the third group, and everybody following the herds, "Say exactly the same thing to Esau when you find him.

20 Say also, ‘Your servant Jacob is right behind us.'" Jacob thought, I may be able to pacify Esau with the gift I'm sending ahead. When I meet him, perhaps he will be kind to me.