Jacob's Ladder at Bethel

The words

1. Angels

   Jacob dreams of the angels of God ascending and descending on the ladder whose top reaches heaven.

   Did you know?

   John’s Gospel later describes the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man, using the same paired movements.

   Genesis 28:12 (opens a new tab) · John 1:51 (opens a new tab)

2. Ascending

   The angels of God go up on the ladder in Jacob’s dream; the KJV pairs their ascending with descending.

   Genesis 28:12 (opens a new tab)

3. Awaked

   Jacob wakes from his sleep and says the LORD is in this place, adding that he had not known it.

   Genesis 28:16 (opens a new tab)

4. Bethel

   House of God, the name’s meaning in the NET note.

   Jacob names the place Bethel after setting up his stone pillar; Genesis says the city had previously been called Luz.

   Genesis 28:18–19 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 28:19 (opens a new tab)

5. Descending

   In Jacob’s dream, the angels descend as well as ascend on the ladder that reaches from earth to heaven.

   Genesis 28:12 (opens a new tab)

6. Dreadful

   Awe-inspiring, as the NET Bible renders this scene.

   Jacob is afraid and calls the place dreadful, describing it as the house of God and the gate of heaven.

   Genesis 28:17 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 28:17 (opens a new tab)

7. Dream

   Jacob’s dream shows a ladder and angels, followed by the LORD’s promise of land, descendants, protection and a return to this land.

   Genesis 28:12 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 28:13–15 (opens a new tab)

8. Gate of Heaven

   After waking, Jacob calls the place the gate of heaven, alongside his declaration that it is the house of God.

   Genesis 28:16–17 (opens a new tab)

9. House of God

   Jacob calls the place the house of God; in his vow, he says the stone he has raised will be God’s house.

   Did you know?

   Later in Genesis, God tells Jacob to go back to Bethel and make an altar there.

   Genesis 28:17 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 28:22 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 35:1 (opens a new tab)

10. Ladder

    Rendered stairway in the NET Bible.

    Jacob sees a ladder set up on earth with its top reaching heaven, and the angels of God move upon it.

    Genesis 28:12 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 28:12 (opens a new tab)

11. Pillar

    In the morning, Jacob raises the stone he used for his pillows as a pillar and pours oil on its top.

    Did you know?

    Jacob sets up another stone pillar during the covenant-making scene with Laban, later in Genesis.

    Genesis 28:18 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 31:44–45 (opens a new tab)

12. Pillow

    Before the dream, Jacob uses stones for his pillows; in the morning, he takes the stone and sets it upright.

    Did you know?

    The NET note says the text does not specify that the stone was under Jacob’s head to serve as a pillow.

    Genesis 28:11 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 28:18 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 28:11 (opens a new tab)

13. Raiment

    Clothing to wear.

    Jacob’s vow asks for bread to eat and raiment to put on, together with protection on the journey and a peaceful return.

    Genesis 28:20–21 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 28:20 (opens a new tab)

14. Tenth

    Jacob promises to give God a tenth of everything God gives him, making this portion part of the vow after his dream.

    Did you know?

    Earlier in Genesis, Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything; the KJV uses the word tithes in that account.

    Genesis 28:22 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 14:18–20 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 14:20 (opens a new tab)

15. Vowed

    Jacob vows that if God keeps him, supplies food and clothing, and brings him home in peace, the LORD will be his God.

    Genesis 28:20–22 (opens a new tab)