Genesis 32:18

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

20 And be sure to add, 'Jacob is right behind us, sir.'" He thought, "I'll make peace with him by giving him this gift that I'm sending ahead of me. After that I will see him, and he'll welcome me back."