<b>And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old (Gen. 27:1).</b> Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: <i>Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons, whom thou shalt make princes in all the land</i> (Ps. 45:17). R. Eliezer the son of R. Yosé the Galilean maintained: The descendants born to every Israelite in the future will be as numerous as those who departed from Egypt, as it is said: <i>Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons</i>. This verse refers to our patriarchs Isaac and Abraham. Abraham was blessed, as it is said: <i>And the Lord blessed Abraham with everything</i> (Gen. 24:1), and Isaac was likewise blessed, as is written: <i>And the Lord blessed him</i> (ibid. 26:12). Abraham begot both a righteous and a wicked son, Isaac and Ishmael; and Isaac begot both a righteous and a wicked son, Jacob and Esau. Abraham’s wife was barren (at first), and Isaac’s wife was also barren (at first).
Why were the matriarchs barren? R. Levi said in the name of R. Shila of K’far T’marta, and R. Helbo said in the name of R. Yohanan: Because the Holy One, blessed be He, desired to hear their prayers. The Holy One, blessed be He, had stated: They are wealthy and beautiful, and if I should also grant them sons they will not pray to Me. You find that everything that happened to Abraham likewise happened to Isaac. Scripture states concerning Abraham: <i>And Abraham was old</i> (Gen. 24:1); and about Isaac, it says: <i>And Isaac was old</i> (ibid. 27:1).