John Calvin Commentary Genesis 43:23

"And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them." — Genesis 43:23 (ASV)

Peace be to you. Because שלום (shalom,) among the Hebrews, signifies not only peace but also any prosperous and desirable condition, as well as any joyful event, this passage may be expounded in two ways: either that the ruler of Joseph’s house commands them to be peaceful and secure, or that he pronounces that they are well and happy.

The sum of his answer, however, amounts to this: there was no reason for fear, because their affairs were in a prosperous state. And since, from a human perspective, it was not possible for them to have paid the money for the corn which was found in their sacks, he ascribes this to the favor of God.

For though true religion was then almost extinct in the world, God nevertheless caused some knowledge of his goodness always to remain in the hearts of men, which should render them responsible. Hence it has happened that, following nature as their guide, unbelievers have called every exceptionally excellent gift Divine.

Moreover, because corruption was so prevalent that each nation deemed it lawful to worship different gods, the ruler of Joseph’s house distinguishes the God worshipped by the sons of Jacob from Egyptian idols. The conjecture, however, is probable: that this man had been imbued with some sense of religion. We know how great was the arrogance of that nation, and that it supposed the rest of the world to be deceived in the worship of gods.

Therefore, unless he had learned something better, he never would have assigned so great an honor to any other gods than those of his own country. Moreover, he does not ascribe the miracle to the God of the land of Canaan, but to the particular God of their father.

I, therefore, do not doubt that Joseph, though not permitted openly to correct anything in the received superstitions, endeavored, at least in his own house, to establish the true worship of the one God, and always held fast to the covenant, about which, as a boy, he had heard his father speak.

This is all the more noteworthy because the holy man could not swerve in the slightest from common practice without incurring the odium of such a proud nation. Joseph's excellence is therefore commended through his steward, because without fear of public envy, the steward gives honor, within his own walls, to the true God.

If anyone asks how the steward knew that Jacob was a worshipper of the true God, the answer is ready: Joseph, notwithstanding his assumed severity, had commanded that Simon should be gently treated in prison. Though Simon had been left as a hostage, yet, if he had been regarded as a spy, the keeper of the prison would have dealt more harshly with him. There must, therefore, have been some command given regarding his humane or moderate treatment. From this, the probable conjecture is drawn that Joseph had explained the affair to his steward, who was admitted to his secret counsels.