Genesis 32:7-8
…he divided the people…and the flocks… Jacob divided his camp into two companies. In one company went all of his livestock, and in the other went his family and other possessions. (We can know the general manner of division because verses 22 and 23 say that all four women and eleven sons were still with him after he had sent off his livestock.) He sent the former ahead so that, if they encountered bandits (or an angry, estranged brother), he might still be able to save the latter. Contrary to popularly accepted propoganda, the patriarchs did not consider their wives and children to be mere chattel. He was willing to sacrifice all his wealth before risking even one of the concubines.