Why did Jacob send gifts to Esau?
Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau, along with a tremendous gift of livestock and wealth. The gift was intended to appease him and soften any remaining bitterness. It was sent ahead before their meeting. The account adds that Esau had evidently forgotten his bitterness, so no problem remained.
Les explains that Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, and he sent a tremendous gift of livestock and wealth and everything else to appease his brother Esau. The purpose was to pacify Esau before Jacob met him. But Esau evidently had forgotten his bitterness, and there was no problem. This comes after the scene at Mahanaim, where Jacob said, “This is God’s host,” and called the place Mahaniim, meaning the two hosts—God’s host and his own. Jacob later parted some of his flocks and family and sent them over the brook as he headed toward Canaan and meeting Esau.