Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 33:3

"And he himself passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother." — Genesis 33:3 (ASV)

He passed over before them. — While providing some small chance of escape for his wives and children, arranged according to their rank, Jacob manfully went first and placed himself entirely in Esau’s power. He endeavored, nevertheless, by his sevenfold obeisance in acknowledgment of Esau’s superiority, to propitiate him; for the cause of the quarrel had been Jacob’s usurpation of Esau’s right of precedence as the firstborn. This bowing in the East is made by bending the body forward with the arms crossed, and the right hand held over the heart.