As Esau approached, Jacob was dismayed. The Sages explain the precise nature of Jacob’s dismay.

“Jacob was very frightened and distressed” (Genesis 32:8). Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Ilai said: Isn’t fright the same as distress? Why the two terms? “He was frightened,” lest he kill; “he was distressed,” lest he be killed. Jacob said: If Esau overcomes me, he will kill me, and if I overcome him, I will kill him. That is the meaning of: “He was frightened”; he was frightened lest he kill, and “he was distressed” lest he be killed. (Bereshit Rabba 76)