‘And he himself went before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times until he came near to his brother.'
Bowing seven times was reserved for extremely important people who demanded great subservience. The petty princes of Palestine ‘bowed seven times' to Pharaoh in the Amarna letters (14th century BC). Usually a single bow would be given (Genesis 18:2; Genesis 19:1). Jacob was giving Esau royal treatment.