Genesis 32:4
“And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:”
KJV
Read in Genesis 32Meaning
Jacob carefully frames his message to Esau with humility and with an account of where he has lived since their separation.
Read carefully
The deferential language is part of Jacob's diplomacy in this particular family conflict, not a universal hierarchy between the brothers.
Reflection
The verse shows Jacob approaching reconciliation with deliberate words rather than assuming that time alone has repaired the past.