בראשית, פרק ל״ב, פסוק כ״ג

Under the looming threat of an impending encounter with Esau, Jacob makes a dramatic decision in the dark of night to relocate his camp. Driven by deep anxiety and restlessness after only a brief sleep, he moves his family under the cover of darkness to secure an escape route or distance them from sudden danger before dawn [רשב״ם, חזקוני, קונטרס חיבה יתירה, רד״ק, רש״ר הירש]. He leads them to the ford of the Jabbok, a river in the eastern Transjordan with shallow waters suitable for crossing [רש״י, מזרחי, שד״ל, נתינה לגר]. The primary approach among commentators is that Jacob first gathered everyone at the riverbank and crossed the water alone to test its depth and safety. Once assured, he returned to guide his family across [רמב״ן, אבן עזרא, רד״ק, רבנו בחיי]. He repeatedly went back and forth to transfer all his property, even risking his safety to retrieve small forgotten items. This careful approach was partly to avoid public bridges and any suspicion of using stolen goods [מלבי״ם, חתם סופר, מחוקקי יהודה].

During the crossing, the wives and maidservants proceed before the children. This departure from the usual traveling order occurred either because the children were afraid to enter the water first [צאינה וראינה], or because Jacob strategically positioned the women as an initial buffer in case Esau attacked. He prioritized the safety of his sons, contrasting with his earlier flight from Laban where he placed the children in front, knowing Laban would have mercy on his daughters [חזקוני, צאינה וראינה]. Notably, Bilhah and Zilpah are referred to as maidservants despite being Jacob's wives. This highlights their profound humility; even after rising to the same status as Rachel and Leah, they remained unassuming and actively helped with the heavy burden of transporting the children [הכתב והקבלה, העמק דבר].

The count of eleven children strictly refers to Jacob's sons, as Benjamin was not yet born [לבוש האורה, דברי דוד, גור אריה]. His daughter Dinah is noticeably absent because Jacob had hidden her in a locked chest, fearing Esau would desire her for a wife. Although his intention was to protect her, Jacob was ultimately punished for withholding her from his brother, leading to her later capture by Shechem [רש״י, רד״ק]. Commentators explore why Jacob faced retribution for the natural act of protecting his daughter from a wicked man. Some suggest he failed to consider that Dinah's righteousness might have inspired Esau to change his ways [רש״י]. Others clarify that the punishment was not for the act of hiding her, which is a legitimate protective measure, but for his underlying motive. Jacob acted out of a complete unwillingness to see Esau repent and earn the blessings, and he lacked genuine sorrow over preventing his daughter from positively influencing her uncle [ברטנורא, פרדס יוסף, ברכת אשר].