Moreover … behind us: this repeats the words from verse 18, with your servant Jacob replacing “he.” The repetition is a very important element of Jacob’s message, as indicated by a Hebrew expression that literally says “Also behold,” which Revised Standard Version renders as Moreover. The emphasis is brought out, for instance, in Anchor Bible‘s translation, “And be sure to add, ‘Your servant Jacob….’ ” Other translations say “Don’t forget to tell him, ….”

For he thought: literally “for he said.” See Gen 32.8.

I may appease him with the present that goes before me: appease him translates the expression meaning to “cover his face” and is used figuratively to mean “pacify,” “calm,” “sooth angry feelings.” The gifts are to cover Esau’s face (pacify him) so he cannot see the guilt in Jacob, the wrong that Jacob had done to him in stealing his blessing. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “I will calm his anger,” Traduction oecuménique de la Bible “I will soften his anger,” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “… put him in a favorable mood.” See also Good News Translation “I will win him over.” Many languages have idiomatic ways of referring to the giving of presents and other actions that are intended to influence another person’s feelings and attitude; for example, “grease him up,” “make his thinking sweet,” “make his insides good toward me.”

I shall see his face means “when I see him” or “when we meet.”

Perhaps he will accept me: for the fourth time in this verse, the Hebrew word for “face” is used. Here again we are dealing with a figurative expression, which is literally “lift up my face.” In 19.21 this idiom is used with the meaning “I will grant your request,” or “I will do what you ask me.” However, in the present context it is to be understood as “receive me favorably,” “accept me kindly,” “be good to me.” Note Good News Translation “forgive me.” Bible en français courant has “he will give me a good welcome,” and others “he might be glad to see me.”

A restructuring that gives a more natural discourse sequence in verses 14-20 is as follows:
1. … Jacob separated some animals to give as a present….
2. He separated two hundred female goats and twenty male goats into one flock.
3. He told a worker to take them ahead to Esau.
4. He instructed that worker: “When my brother asks you … you must say that these animals are a present….”
5. After that he separated two hundred female sheep and twenty male sheep into another flock.
6. He told another worker to take them some distance behind the first flock.
7. He instructed that worker to say the same as he had told the first one.
8. He said, “Make sure that you tell him that I, Jacob, am coming behind.”
9. Jacob did the same with all the other animals: he separated thirty female camels with their babies, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys; and he sent them as a present….

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .