Genesis 32:17

17 He commanded the first servant, "When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and whose animals are these ahead of you?'

Genesis 32:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:17

And he commanded the foremost
He that had the care of the first drove, which consisted of goats, male and female: saying, when Esau my brother meeteth thee;
as there was reason to believe he would, being on the road, and him first of all, being the foremost: and asketh thee, saying, what [art] thou?
that is, whose servant art thou? to whom dost thou belong? and whither goest thou?
what place art thou travelling to? and whose are these before thee?
whose are these goats? to whom do they belong thou art driving? for in driving and travelling on the road, sheep and goats went before those that had the care of them; whereas, in leading out to pastures, the shepherds went before, and the flocks followed, ( John 10:4 ) .

Genesis 32:17 In-Context

15 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 male donkeys.

16 He placed servants in charge of each herd. Then he said to his servants, "Go ahead of me, and keep a distance between the herds."

17 He commanded the first servant, "When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and whose animals are these ahead of you?'

18 then say, 'Sir, they belong to your servant Jacob. This is a gift sent to you. Jacob is right behind us.'"

19 He also commanded the second servant, the third, and all the others who followed the herds. He said, "Say the same thing to Esau when you find him.