Genesis 32:3
ESV
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom,
NIV
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
NASB
Then Jacob sent messengers ahead of himself to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
CSB
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the territory of Edom.
NLT
Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land of Edom.
KJV
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
NKJV
Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
What does Genesis 32:3 mean?
Now that his conflict with Laban has been resolved, Jacob turns to his homeland. While the parting with Laban was tense, Jacob is fully aware he may face another potentially violent confrontation. In order to return home, Jacob and his family must pass near the region where his brother Esau lives.Twenty years have passed since Jacob deceived his father Isaac and stole the family blessing from Esau (Genesis 27:30–35). Before that, Jacob had also manipulated Esau into selling his birthright (Genesis 25:29–34). The reason Jacob left home in the first place is because his mother Rebekah had learned that Esau planned to kill Jacob (Genesis 27:41-45).
Did Esau still want Jacob dead? Jacob had no way of knowing. Their parting was certainly on poor terms, and nothing has happened in the meantime to suggest the brothers have been in contact. Before traveling through the vicinity, Jacob will send messengers to make contact with Esau where he lives in Edom as a show of good faith.
