Genesis 33:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us examine how Jacob encountered his brother. Having found great solace in previous experiences and assured by the promise of strength and stability among the people, he looked up and saw that Esau was approaching with four hundred men. Jacob arranged the children of Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants, placing the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind them, and Rachel along with Joseph at the rear. Then, he moved ahead of them all and bowed down to the ground seven times as he drew near to his brother. Observe how, after organizing the group, he steps forward to greet them first.

James did not create three divisions, as is commonly believed, but rather two. Ultimately, in the place where we see the term 'divided,' Aquila uses ήμίσευσεν, which means 'divided in two.' This resulted in one group composed of the maids and their children, and a second group of Leah and Rachel, who were free, along with their children. He arranged for the maids to proceed first, followed by the free women. Thus, he positioned himself to encounter the brother he planned to revere before either group approached.