Genesis 32:18

18 - answer him like this, 'Your servant Jacob. They are a gift to my master Esau. He's on his way.'"

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 put a servant in charge of each herd and said, "Go ahead of me and keep a healthy space between each herd."

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."