John Gill Commentary Genesis 32:17

"And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?" — Genesis 32:17 (ASV)

And he commanded the foremost

He that had the care of the first drove, which consisted of goats, male and female.

saying, when Esau my brother meets you ;

as there was reason to believe he would, being on the road, and him first of all, being the foremost.

and asks you, saying, what [are] you ?

that is, whose servant are you? to whom do you belong?

and where are you going ?

what place are you travelling to?

and whose are these before you ?

whose are these goats? to whom do they belong you are driving? for in driving and travelling on the road, sheep and goats went before those that had the care of them; whereas, in leading out to pastures, the shepherds went before, and the flocks followed, (John 10:4) .