Gen 32:21 | KD | STEP | Although hoping for aid and safety from the Lord alone, Jacob neglected no means of doing what might help to appease his brother. Having taken up his quarters for the night in the place where he received the tidings of Esau’s approach, he selected from his flocks (“ of that which came to his hand, ” i.e., which he had acquired) a very respectable present of 550 head of cattle, and sent them in different detachments to meet Esau, “ as a present from his servant Jacob, ” who was coming behind. The selection was in harmony with the general possessions of nomads (cf. ; ), and the proportion of male to female animals was arranged according to the agricultural rule of Varro ( de re rustica 2, 3). The division of the present, “ drove and drove separately, ” i.e., into several separate droves which followed one another at certain intervals, was to serve the purpose of gradually mitigating the wrath of Esau. פּנים כּפּר, , to appease the countenance; פּנים נשׁא to raise any one’s countenance, i.e., to receive him in a friendly manner. This present he sent forward; and he himself remained the same night (mentioned in ) in the camp.

‏ Genesis 32:21

Although hoping for aid and safety from the Lord alone, Jacob neglected no means of doing what might help to appease his brother. Having taken up his quarters for the night in the place where he received the tidings of Esau’s approach, he selected from his flocks (“of that which came to his hand,” i.e., which he had acquired) a very respectable present of 550 head of cattle, and sent them in different detachments to meet Esau, “as a present from his servant Jacob,” who was coming behind. The selection was in harmony with the general possessions of nomads (cf. Job 1:3; Job 42:12), and the proportion of male to female animals was arranged according to the agricultural rule of Varro (de re rustica 2, 3). The division of the present, “drove and drove separately,” i.e., into several separate droves which followed one another at certain intervals, was to serve the purpose of gradually mitigating the wrath of Esau. פּנים כּפּר, Gen 32:21, to appease the countenance; פּנים נשׁא to raise any one’s countenance, i.e., to receive him in a friendly manner. This present he sent forward; and he himself remained the same night (mentioned in Gen 32:14) in the camp.