Genesis 32:16

Plain English Version

Jacob split up all those animals into groups, and he gave each group to one of his work-men to look after. He said to those work-men, “Take these groups of animals, and go ahead of me to meet my brother Esau. But don’t all go at the same time. I want one group to go first. A bit later, I want the 2nd group to go. Then a bit later, I want the 3rd group to go. Keep on doing that until all the groups go.”

Cross References

Genesis 32:15

30 female camels with their babies, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys.

Genesis 32:17

Then Jacob talked to the work-man that was in charge of that 1st group of animals. He said, “You are going to meet my brother Esau first. I reckon he will say to you, ‘Who is your boss? Where are you going? And who do these animals belong to?’

Genesis 32:20

And make sure you say, ‘Jacob is coming to meet you. He respects you.’ ” Jacob thought, “Maybe my brother will stop being angry with me, because I’m sending my work-men to give him presents. They will give him those presents, and then I will go and meet him. Maybe he will be friendly to me.”

1 Samuel 25:19

She said to her workers, “You mob go ahead. I will follow behind you.” She did not say anything to her husband about it.