What did Jacob do to protect himself from Esau?

Jacob surrounded himself with all his flocks and herds to gain a measure of protection from Esau's wrath. He feared Esau because he had tricked him about 40 years earlier. This was his strategy for safety when returning to Canaan.

Les explains that Jacob was the deceiver and supplanter who had tricked his brother Esau some 40 years earlier. After gaining his wives and children from Laban, Jacob came back to Canaan with God's leading. Fearing what Esau might do, Jacob surrounded himself with his flocks and herds for protection from Esau's wrath. But God had something else in mind: He was going to come down in human form, as He did throughout the Old Testament, and confront Jacob man to man. That night Jacob was asleep on the ground in total darkness.

Genesis 32

Who did Jacob deceive besides his father Isaac and his brother Esau?

Jacob also deceived his uncle Laban. He was known as the deceiver and supplanter, always one step ahead in sharp dealings, even while working for Laban. His name means supplanter, and he gained his wives and all his children except Benjamin during his time with Laban before returning to Canaan.