Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 32:3

3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, unto the land of Seir , the countrey of Edom .

Of which see Gen. 14. 6. and 36. 9, 20, 21. whither Esau had removed his habitation from Canaan, partly out of discontent at his Parents; partly as most convenient for his course of life; and principally by direction of Divine Providence, that Canaan might be left free and clear for Iacob and his posterity.

So that Seir and Edom either are one and the same place; or rather Seir was a part of Edom. Some say both names are put here for distinction. For they make two lands of Edom, the one Southward from Canaan, the other Eastward, and this latter they understand here alledging that the other or Southern was so remote from mount Gilead, whence Iacob was now descending, that Iacob need not fear Esau at that distance, nor send to him. But as that distinction seems to be without solid ground, so this reason seems to have but little weight in it, both because though this History immediately follows his descent from Mount Gilead, yet it might be done some competent time after it, and because Iacob in his journey to those parts where his father Isaac lived and whither he was going was still drawing nearer and nearer to Esau.

Marginal references: Heb. field.