Lexical Summary shaar: To calculate, reckon, estimate Original Word: שַׁעַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hundredfold From sha'ar; a measure (as a section) -- (hundred-)fold. see HEBREW sha'ar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shaar Definition a measure NASB Translation hundredfold* (1). Topical Lexicon Overview שַׁעַר (shaʿar, Strong’s 8180) denotes the act of sizing up, reckoning, or calculating. Though it appears only once in the Hebrew canon, its solitary placement carries weighty implications for understanding divine blessing, human stewardship, and the reliability of God’s covenant promises. Occurrence in Scripture Genesis 26:12 records the verb in the expression “a hundredfold,” describing the astounding harvest Isaac gathered in Gerar: “Now Isaac sowed seed in that land, and in that very year he reaped a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him” (Berean Standard Bible). Here shaʿar gives quantitative precision to the yield, portraying a result that could be measured, verified, and marveled at by onlookers. Historical and Cultural Setting Isaac’s farming venture unfolds in Philistine territory during a season of famine (Genesis 26:1). Ancient Near-Eastern agriculture—rain-dependent and constrained by primitive tools—rarely produced more than tenfold. A hundredfold return would have been viewed as nothing short of miraculous. The verb shaʿar, therefore, anchors the narrative in real economic terms familiar to agrarian societies; it confirms that the blessing was not abstract but calculable, witnessed, and likely talked about in local marketplaces. Covenantal Resonance The Abrahamic covenant promised both land and material prosperity (Genesis 12:2-3; 22:17). Shaʿar functions as an evidential marker that God remains faithful to His word across generations. The measurable gain authenticated the unseen promise, reinforcing that “the blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and He adds no sorrow to it” (Proverbs 10:22). Foreshadowing and Typology Isaac’s hundredfold harvest anticipates later scriptural motifs: Theological Significance 1. Divine sovereignty over the created order: The verb underscores God’s prerogative to amplify ordinary means far beyond natural expectation. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Stewardship: Believers are encouraged to sow faithfully, trusting God for results that may far exceed human projection (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Summary Though appearing only once, שַׁעַר vividly quantifies the blessing bestowed on Isaac, bridging ancient agronomy and enduring theological principles. It invites readers to trust the God who not only promises but also measures out His favor in ways that can be counted, celebrated, and proclaimed. Forms and Transliterations שְׁעָרִ֑ים שערים šə‘ārîm šə·‘ā·rîm sheaRimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 26:12 HEB: הַהִ֖וא מֵאָ֣ה שְׁעָרִ֑ים וַֽיְבָרֲכֵ֖הוּ יְהוָֽה׃ INT: the same hundred hundredfold blessed and the LORD 1 Occurrence |
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