Genesis 32:1–8

Jacob’s Fear of Esau

1 Now as Jacob went on his way, athe angels of God met him.

2 Jacob said when he saw them, “This is God’s 1camp.” So he named that place 2aMahanaim.

3 Then Jacob asent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of bSeir, the 1country of cEdom.

4 He also commanded them saying, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: ‘Thus says your servant Jacob, “I have sojourned with Laban, and astayed until now;

5 aI have oxen and donkeys and flocks and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, bthat I may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”

6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore ahe is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”

7 Then Jacob was agreatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and the herds and the camels, into two companies;

8 for he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and 1attacks it, then the company which is left will escape.”