2. When he saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp!” So Jacob named that place Mahanaim.
3. Jacob’s brother Esau was living in the area called Seir in the hill country of Edom. Jacob sent messengers to Esau.
4. He told them, “Tell this to my master Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have lived with Laban all these years.
5. I have many cattle, donkeys, flocks, and servants. Sir, I am sending you this message to ask you to accept us.’”
6. The messengers came back to Jacob and said, “We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you. He has 400 men with him.”
7. Jacob was very frightened and worried. He divided the people who were with him and all the flocks, herds, and camels into two groups.
8. Jacob thought, “If Esau comes and destroys one group, the other group can run away and be saved.”