John Calvin Commentary Genesis 33:8

"And he said, What meanest thou by all this company which I met? And he said, To find favor in the sight of my lord." — Genesis 33:8 (ASV)

What meanest thou by all this drove? He does not inquire as if he were altogether ignorant, since he had heard from the servants that oxen, camels, asses, and other cattle were sent to him as a present, but for the purpose of refusing the gift offered to him: for when anything does not please us, we are accustomed to inquire about it as if it were a thing unknown to us.

Jacob, however, is urgent; nor does he cease to ask until he induces his brother to receive the gift, for this was a pledge of reconciliation. Besides, in order to persuade his brother, he declares that it would be taken as a great kindness not to refuse what was given.

For we do not willingly receive anything except what we certainly know is offered to us freely and with a ready mind. And because it is not possible for us to willingly honor anyone but those we love, Jacob says that he rejoiced at the sight of his brother as if he had seen God or an angel: by which words he means not only that he truly loved his brother, but also that he held him in esteem.

But it may seem that he does wrong to God in comparing Him with a reprobate man; and that he speaks falsely, because, had the choice been given him, he would have desired nothing more earnestly than to avoid this meeting with his brother. Both these knots are easily untied.

It is an accustomed form of speaking among the Hebrews to call whatever is excellent, divine. And certainly Esau, being thus changed, was no obscure figure of the favor of God: so that Jacob might properly say that he had been exhilarated by that friendly and fraternal reception, as if he had seen God or an angel; that is, as if God had given some sign of His presence.

And, indeed, he does not speak insincerely, nor pretend something different from what he has in his mind. For, being himself perfectly free from all hatred, it was his chief wish to discharge whatever duty he could towards his brother; provided that Esau, in return, would show himself a brother to him.