Genesis 26:12

(Chapter 26, verse 12) And Isaac sowed in that land, and in that year he reaped a hundredfold. Although Isaac sowed in a foreign land, I do not think that such fertility of barley would have been to him. Therefore, I think the Hebrew version is better, and even Aquila translated it: And he reaped in that year a hundredfold estimated, that is, ἑκατὸν εἰκασμένον. Although the same letters are used for both estimation and barley, the estimations are read as Saarim (), and the barleys as Sorim. But Scripture, however, seems to me to have shown in it the multiplication of all virtues, in that it has increased a hundredfold the type of fruits.

ISAAC BLESSED BY THE LORD. — The following text tells us that what Scripture says about Isaac: and the Lord blessed him. And the man was exalted, and advancing he increased, till he became very great . We must understand it referring to earthly happiness. For the writer describes the riches by means of which he became rich. It follows that Abimelech, impressed by it, feared his presence in that place, lest his power would become dangerous to him (Cf. Gen. 26:14-16). For that reason, although this means something spiritual, however, from what happened, it was previously said that “the Lord blessed him,” and so we understand rightly that even these temporary goods can only be given by God and should only be expected from him, even if those who desire them are the most humble. So that whoever is faithful in the least may also be faithful in the great, and whoever has been found faithful in the unrighteous riches deserves also to receive true wealth, as the Lord says in the Gospel (Cf. Lk. 16:10-11). It is also said of Abraham that his riches were a blessing from God. This narrative, understood with piety, is not, therefore, mediocre in edifying sincere faith, even though no allegorical meaning could be derived from it. [

After these things it says "Isaac sowed barley, and found a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him, and the man was magnified, and by his advance he became greater, until he became exceedingly great." What is this, that Isaac "sowed barley" and not wheat, and is blessed in that he sows "barley" and is magnified, "until he becomes great"? It appears therefore that he was not yet great, but after he "sowed barley" and gathered "a hundredfold," then "he became exceedingly great." Barley is especially the food of beasts of burden or of country slaves. For it is a rougher kind, and one which seems to prick the one touching it as if with certain points. Isaac is the word of God, which word in the law sows barley, in the Gospels wheat. For it prepares that food for the more perfect and spiritual, this for the more unskilled and animal, because it is written: "men and beasts you will save, O Lord." Isaac therefore, the word of the law, sows barley, and nevertheless in that very barley finds "a hundredfold fruit." For you find in the law also martyrs, whose is "the hundredfold fruit." But our Lord too, the Isaac of the Gospels, spoke all the more perfect things to the Apostles, but to the crowds plain and common things. But do you wish to see that He too sets forth the foods of barley for beginners? It is written in the Gospels that He fed the crowds a second time. But those whom He feeds first, that is, the beginners, He feeds with "barley loaves." But afterward, when they had now advanced in the word and in doctrine, He sets forth wheaten loaves for them.