What does Genesis 33:1 mean?

The moment has finally come. Years before, Jacob fled this region to avoid the murderous wrath of a brother he'd cheated (Genesis 27:41–45). On the way back, Jacob was informed that Esau was on his way with 400 men: news which terrified Jacob. After splitting his caravan to minimize potential losses (Genesis 32:7–8) and a divine encounter with God (Genesis 32:22–32), Jacob is finally going to face his twin and his own past. At this meeting, he will finally discover if Esau has come to kill him or welcome him home.

Still planning for the worst, Jacob makes one last adjustment in the final moments before he meets his brother. He divides his wives and children and places them in a specific arrangement described in the following verses. His intent here is strategic. The arrangement described in this passage gives Jacob's loved ones better opportunity to escape if Esau's response is violent.