2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God's camp.” So he named the place Mahanaim.
3 Jacob sent messengers on ahead to Esau, who lived in the land of Seir, also known as Edom.
4 Jacob told them to say to Esau, “Master, I am your servant! I have lived with Laban all this time,
5 and now I own cattle, donkeys, and sheep, as well as many slaves. Master, I am sending these messengers in the hope that you will be kind to me.”
6 When the messengers returned, they told Jacob, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is heading this way with four hundred men.”
7 Jacob was so frightened that he divided his people, sheep, cattle, and camels into two groups.
8 He thought, “If Esau attacks one group, perhaps the other can escape.”