Five Barley Loaves

 

NLT John 6:9

“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

 

Five Loaves And Two Fish – Jimmy Akin

 

 Why is this passage ponderable?

In Bible times, barley was much more widely cultivated than now and was the main food of the poor. It was always valued less than wheat 

The five loaves did not resemble large loaves of bread such as one might purchase at a bakery today. Rather the unleavened wafers of barley bread resembled small, flat pitas, each one, perhaps sufficient as one or two servings. The course barley bread, less expensive than wheat flour, made a staple for the poor. The two fish were probably dried sardines, such as the fisheries from Magdala produced. 

Loaves made of barley feature in the story of the feeding of the 5000 in John's Gospel in the New Testament (John 6:9). It is often mentioned in Islamic sources as a commoner's food in comparison with wheat bread, perceived as a sort of luxury item.

Barley bread is low in carbohydrates and provides vitamins and minerals, fiber, selenium and many other nutrients that are not found in breads made with refined bread flour — and nutritionists say the dietary benefits of barley are significant and more beneficial than other grains.

Barley is a plant. The grain of barley is used to make medicine. Barley is used for lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and for promoting weight loss. It is also used for digestive complaints including diarrhea, stomach pain, and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Barley grass powder is rich in several sleep-promoting compounds, including GABA, calcium, tryptophan, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. According to a 2018 review, barley grass powder may promote sleep and help prevent a range of other mental disorders. 

Barley is a nutritious whole grain that's high in fiber. High fiber diets rich in whole grains have been shown to have a protective effect on lung function and may reduce the risk of mortality from lung-related diseases

This is ponderable because John's Gospels are laden with hidden meanings that, like the parables of Jesus, are crafted to convey eternal Truths to those who trust God but remain hidden from those who would blemish the truth for personal gain. Dr. Daniel G. Amen, who has done extensive research on "brain health" lists barley as the one grain with nutrients that are most beneficial to brain health. Yet, just as it was in the time of Jesus, barley is considered a less desirable flour more suited for the poor and for animal feed than the wheat and rye flour popular today.