Genesis 32:4

My lord Esau. From Mahanaim, Jacob sent messengers to his brother, Esau. After Jacob’s flight from Beersheba, Esau seems to have moved temporarily to the southeast, to the land of Seir, or Edom, whose original inhabitants, the Horites, he later dispossessed. The messengers were to draw a clear distinction between “my lord Esau” and “thy servant Jacob.” Their task was to conciliate Esau, chiefly by emphasis on Jacob’s humility — tacit admission of his wrong — and on the fact that Jacob relinquished all claims to the inheritance. By pointing out that he was returning with great wealth, Jacob was not boasting but rather making it clear to Esau that he returned with no desire to share in the patrimony. Being himself in the wrong, Jacob realized that the first step toward reconciliation must be made by him. With this in mind, he added to his message an expression of hope that Esau would forgive and accept him on friendly terms.