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?
He gave instructions to the first group of servants, saying, 'When my brother Esau meets you and asks, 'Who do you belong to? Where are you going? And who owns these animals in front of you?''
Jacob is coaching his servants on what to say when they encounter his estranged brother Esau, preparing them for the questions Esau will likely ask.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs as Jacob is returning to his homeland after 20 years away, knowing he must face his brother Esau whom he had deceived years earlier. Jacob is sending gifts of livestock ahead of him in waves, hoping to appease Esau's anger before their reunion. This was a strategic move in ancient Near Eastern culture where gifts often preceded important meetings to show respect and seek favor.
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