2 When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s camp!” He named that place Mahanaim [Two Camps].
3 Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in Seir, the country of Edom.
4 He commanded them to give this message to Esau, “Sir, this is what Jacob has to say, ‘I’ve been living with Laban and have stayed until now.
5 I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, and male and female slaves. I’ve sent ⌊these messengers⌋ to tell you ⌊this news⌋ in order to win your favor.’ ”
6 When the messengers came back to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you with 400 men.”
7 Jacob was terrified and distressed. So he divided the people, the sheep and goats, the cattle, and the camels into two camps.
8 He thought, “If Esau attacks the one camp, then the other camp will be able to escape.”