Though the steward goes unnamed, he is another very fine example of a steward. He may have been an Egyptian, but we do not know, and it does not say. But, did you notice how he served Joseph's brothers? Remember, they were foreigners. And if, indeed, he was an Egyptian—remember what Joseph said about how Egyptians felt about foreigners, especially those with flocks? It was disgusting to them. They were pariahs to the Egyptians. Within the caste system of Egypt, they were the lowest of the low, somebody to be put off at a far corner of the land so that you do not have to be bothered with them.
Did you notice what this man did? He calmed them; he did not make them fear anymore, and then he brought them into the house, and made sure their feet were washed, and fed them, and he even made sure the donkeys were fed and watered—a very selfless individual who did his master's bidding. He was willing to put himself under these crude men from Canaan, coming off their week's long journey, giving them what they needed.
So Joseph never mentioned it, so far as he is concerned, the return of the money was an act of pure benevolence. Joseph simply wanted to give their money back, he had no hidden motives. Something like this occurs again in this part of the story, however here, Joseph's benevolence is even more noticeable and emphasized.
Verse 18 basically tells us that they thought they were brought there because of the silver that was put into their sacks the first time. They thought that he wanted to attack and seize them and take them as slaves. They were terrified, to say the least, and their complaint was pathetic. Joseph intended only good to them, but they supposed that he was hostile.
They were not to worry about their money anymore. What a great sigh of relief that was.
