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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 28:12 And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God's angels were going up and down the ladder.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/28-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/01_Gen_28_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 28:12 - Jacob's Ladder" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God's angels were going up and down the ladder." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/28-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/28-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/28.htm">Chapter 28</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/28-11.htm" title="Genesis 28:11">◄</a> Genesis 28:12 <a href="/genesis/28-13.htm" title="Genesis 28:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/28.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/28.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/28.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/28.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/28.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/28.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder <i>was</i> set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/28.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he had a dream, and behold, a ladder stood on the earth with its top touching heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He dreamed that there was a ladder (stairway) placed on the earth, and the top of it reached [out of sight] toward heaven; and [he saw] the angels of God ascending and descending on it [going to and from heaven].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground with its top reaching the sky, and God’s angels were going up and down on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground with its top reaching heaven, and God&#8217s angels were going up and down on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/28.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he dreamed; and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In a dream he saw a ladder that reached from earth to heaven, and God's angels were going up and down on it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/28.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He had a dream in which he saw a stairway set up on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven. He saw the angels of God going up and coming down on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/28.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and coming down on it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/28.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />when he had a dream! He saw a raised highway that had been built with its ending point on earth and its beginning point in heaven. God's angels were ascending and descending on it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God?s angels were going up and down the ladder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/28.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and had a dream. He saw a stairway erected on the earth with its top reaching to the heavens. The angels of God were going up and coming down it<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he dreamed. And look, a stairway was set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven. And look, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/28.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He dreamed and saw a stairway set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven. Behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he dreams, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and its head is touching the heavens; and behold, messengers of God are going up and coming down by it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he dreameth, and lo, a ladder set up on the earth, and its head is touching the heavens; and lo, messengers of God are going up and coming down by it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will dream, and behold a ladder placed in the earth, and the head of it reaching to the heavens: and behold the messengers of God ascending and descending upon it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he saw in his sleep a ladder standing upon the earth, and the top thereof touching heaven: the angels also of God ascending and descending by it; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he saw in his sleep: a ladder standing upon the earth, with its top touching heaven, also, the Angels of God ascending and descending by it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/28.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s angels were going up and down on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he dreamed, and behold a ladder was set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he saw in a dream, and behold, a staircase set up on the earth, and the top met Heaven, and behold, the Angels of God were going up and coming down on it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and dreamed, and behold a ladder fixed on the earth, whose top reached to heaven, and the angels of God ascended and descended on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/28-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=6813" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/28.htm">Jacob's Ladder</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>On reaching a certain place, he spent the night there because the sun had set. And taking one of the stones from that place, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2492.htm" title="2492: way·ya·ḥă·lōm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream. A primitive root; properly, to bind firmly, i.e. to be plump; also to dream.">And Jacob had a dream</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">about</a> <a href="/hebrew/5551.htm" title="5551: sul·lām (N-ms) -- A ladder. From calal; a stair-case.">a ladder</a> <a href="/hebrew/5324.htm" title="5324: muṣ·ṣāḇ (V-Hofal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A prim root; to station, in various applications.">that rested</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’ar·ṣāh (N-fs:: 3fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">on the earth</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: wə·rō·šōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">with its top</a> <a href="/hebrew/5060.htm" title="5060: mag·gî·a‘ (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike.">reaching</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yə·māh (Art:: N-mp:: 3fs) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">up to heaven,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">and God’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/4397.htm" title="4397: mal·’ă·ḵê (N-mpc) -- A messenger. From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. An angel.">angels</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ō·lîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">were going up</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: wə·yō·rə·ḏîm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">and down</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">the ladder.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-51.htm">John 1:51</a></span><br />Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-1.htm">Genesis 32:1-2</a></span><br />Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. / When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-1.htm">Genesis 35:1</a></span><br />Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-2.htm">Genesis 46:2</a></span><br />And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-47.htm">John 1:47-50</a></span><br />When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.” / “How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” / “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Hosea 12:4</a></span><br />Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16-17</a></span><br />As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. / And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Acts 7:55-56</a></span><br />But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. / “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/4-1.htm">Revelation 4:1</a></span><br />After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11</a></span><br />Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13</a></span><br />In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">Ezekiel 1:1</a></span><br />In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-19.htm">1 Kings 22:19</a></span><br />Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-1.htm">Isaiah 6:1</a></span><br />In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-8.htm">Zechariah 1:8</a></span><br />I looked out into the night and saw a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.</p><p class="hdg">he dreamed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1,12</a></b></br> After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I <i>am</i> thy shield, <i>and</i> thy exceeding great reward… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3,6,7</a></b></br> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou <i>art but</i> a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she <i>is</i> a man's wife… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-11</a></b></br> And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told <i>it</i> his brethren: and they hated him yet the more… </p><p class="hdg">ladder.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-1.htm">Genesis 32:1,2</a></b></br> And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/16-9.htm">2 Chronicles 16:9</a></b></br> For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of <i>them</i> whose heart <i>is</i> perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></b></br> Fear thou not; for I <i>am</i> with thee: be not dismayed; for I <i>am</i> thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/19-15.htm">Angels</a> <a href="/genesis/19-28.htm">Ascended</a> <a href="/revelation/7-2.htm">Ascending</a> <a href="/revelation/21-10.htm">Descending</a> <a href="/genesis/20-6.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/daniel/2-3.htm">Dreamed</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-8.htm">Dreameth</a> <a href="/genesis/27-39.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/28-11.htm">Head</a> <a href="/genesis/27-39.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/genesis/27-39.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/genesis/19-15.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/genesis/28-11.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/revelation/14-20.htm">Reaching</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-49.htm">Stairway</a> <a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/genesis/22-10.htm">Stretching</a> <a href="/genesis/22-9.htm">Top</a> <a href="/genesis/27-42.htm">Touching</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/32-1.htm">Angels</a> <a href="/genesis/32-26.htm">Ascended</a> <a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Ascending</a> <a href="/numbers/11-9.htm">Descending</a> <a href="/genesis/31-10.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Dreamed</a> <a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Dreameth</a> <a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/28-18.htm">Head</a> <a href="/genesis/28-17.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/genesis/28-17.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/genesis/32-1.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Reached</a> <a href="/exodus/26-28.htm">Reaching</a> <a href="/genesis/49-15.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-8.htm">Stairway</a> <a href="/genesis/32-31.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Stretching</a> <a href="/genesis/28-18.htm">Top</a> <a href="/exodus/4-25.htm">Touching</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 28</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-1.htm">Isaac blesses Jacob, and sends him to Padan-aram.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-6.htm">Esau marries Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-10.htm">Jacob journeys, and has a vision of a ladder.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-18.htm">The stone of Bethel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Jacob's vow.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/28.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/28.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And Jacob had a dream</b><br>Dreams in the Bible often serve as a means of divine communication. Jacob's dream is significant as it marks a pivotal moment in his life, where God reaffirms the covenant made with Abraham and Isaac. Dreams were a common way God communicated with His people, as seen with Joseph (<a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-10</a>) and Daniel (<a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">Daniel 2:19</a>).<p><b>about a ladder that rested on the earth</b><br>The ladder, or stairway, symbolizes a connection between heaven and earth. This imagery suggests a bridge between the divine and human realms, indicating God's presence and accessibility. The location, Bethel, becomes a sacred site, later associated with worship and revelation (<a href="/genesis/35.htm">Genesis 35:1-7</a>).<p><b>with its top reaching up to heaven</b><br>The ladder's reach to heaven signifies the vastness of God's domain and His sovereignty over all creation. It also prefigures the ultimate reconciliation between God and humanity through Jesus Christ, who is the true bridge to heaven (<a href="/john/1-51.htm">John 1:51</a>).<p><b>and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder</b><br>The movement of angels represents God's active involvement in the world, executing His will and serving as messengers. This imagery reinforces the idea of divine protection and guidance, as seen in <a href="/psalms/91-11.htm">Psalm 91:11</a>, where angels are commanded to guard God's people. The presence of angels also highlights the spiritual reality that surrounds and interacts with the physical world.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob is a key patriarch in the lineage of Israel, and this passage marks a significant moment in his spiritual journey.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a></b><br>The place where Jacob had his dream. Originally called Luz, Jacob renamed it Bethel, meaning "House of God," after his encounter with God in the dream.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ladder.htm">The Ladder</a></b><br>A symbolic structure in Jacob's dream that connects earth to heaven, representing the connection between God and humanity.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/angels.htm">Angels</a></b><br>Messengers of God who are seen ascending and descending the ladder, symbolizing divine communication and intervention.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate source of the vision, who reaffirms His covenant with Jacob, promising him land, descendants, and blessings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_and_promises.htm">God's Presence and Promises</a></b><br>Jacob's dream is a powerful reminder of God's presence and His faithfulness to His promises. Even when we feel alone, God is with us, guiding and protecting us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_communication.htm">Divine Communication</a></b><br>The ladder symbolizes the open line of communication between God and humanity. We are encouraged to seek God in prayer and be attentive to His guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_continuity.htm">Covenant Continuity</a></b><br>God's reaffirmation of His covenant with Jacob shows the unchanging nature of His promises. We can trust in God's faithfulness throughout generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_encounter.htm">Transformation through Encounter</a></b><br>Jacob's encounter with God at Bethel marks a turning point in his life. Personal encounters with God can lead to transformation and a renewed sense of purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 28</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_a_ladder_to_heaven_exist_today.htm">How could a physical ladder to heaven exist, given what we now know about space and distance (Genesis 28:12)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_bethel's_divine_role_verified.htm">Is there any external verification that Bethel was so central or divinely significant as described (Genesis 28)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_an_open_heaven.htm">What defines an open heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_listening_prayer.htm">What is listening prayer?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/28.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Behold a ladder. . . . --</span>Isaac had confirmed Jacob in the possession of the blessing before he started on his long journey, but it was necessary that he should also have the Divine ratification of his appointment; for the chief privilege was the covenant with God previously confirmed to Isaac, his father (<a href="/context/genesis/17-19.htm" title="And God said, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed; and you shall call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.">Genesis 17:19-21</a>). Day after day, then, he travels forward, anxious and oppressed, feeling as he went farther from his home the responsibilities attendant upon that birthright which he had coveted so eagerly. His lot was now a repetition of that of Abraham; but he had travelled from Haran with a noble following, and by express command. Jacob had at most but a few attendants, and no voice from God had ever as yet reached him. But faith in Him was growing strong, and the Divine ratification to him of the Abrahamic covenant was at length vouchsafed. In his sleep he sees a ladder, or staircase, rising from the ground at his side, and reaching up to heaven. It tells him that heaven and earth are united, and that there is a way from one to the other. Upon these stairs "messengers of Elohim are ascending and descending," carrying up to God men's prayers, and the tale of their wants and sorrows, of their faith and hope and trust; and bringing down to them help and comfort and blessing. At the head of the ladder Jehovah himself stands. The word is that used in <a href="/genesis/24-13.htm" title="Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:">Genesis 24:13</a>, and signifies that the Deity was not there accidentally, but that He holds there His permanent station. Finally, Jehovah from His heavenly post confirms to Jacob all the promises made from the time when Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees, and assures him of His constant presence and protection.<p>It has been pointed out that each of the three stages in the dream has emphasis given to it by the word <span class= "ital">behold, </span>and that this rises to a climax at the third repetition, when the covenant God is seen stationed at the head of this pathway between earth and heaven. But besides this, the value of Jacob in Jehovah's sight arises now from his being the appointed ancestor of the Mesciah, in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed (<a href="/genesis/28-14.htm" title="And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in you and in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.">Genesis 28:14</a>). Christ, too, is the Way symbolised by this ladder (<a href="/john/14-6.htm" title="Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.">John 14:6</a>), and the bridge of union between the material and the spiritual world (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm" title="For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;">1Timothy 2:5</a>). Our Lord, accordingly, Himself claims that "the angels of God ascend and descend upon Him" (<a href="/john/1-51.htm" title="And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man.">John 1:51</a>), . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he dreamed</span>. This dream, which has been pronounced "beautifully ingenious," "clever" and "philosophical," the work of a later Hebrew poet and not of Jacob (De Wette), was not wonderful considering the state of mind and body in which he must have been - fatigued by travel, saddened by thoughts of home, doubtless meditating on his mother, and more than likely pondering the great benediction of his aged and, to all appearance, dying father. Yet while these circumstances may account for the mental framework of the dream, the dream itself was Divinely sent. <span class="cmt_word">And behold a ladder</span> - the rough stones of the mountain appearing to form themselves into vast staircase (Stanley, Bush) - <span class="cmt_word">set up an the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven:</span> - symbolically intimating the fact of a real, uninterrupted, and close communication between heaven and earth, and in particular between God in his glory and man in his solitude and sin - <span class="cmt_word">and behold the angels of God</span> <span class="accented">- literally</span>, <span class="accented">the messengers of Elohim</span>, <span class="accented">i</span>.e. the angels (<a href="/psalms/103-20.htm">Psalm 103:20, 21</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-4.htm">Psalm 104:4</a>; <a href="/hebrews/1-14.htm">Hebrews 1:14</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">ascending and descending on it</span> - <span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/john/1-51.htm">John 1:51</a>, which shows that Christ regarded either the ladder in Jacob's vision as an emblem of himself, the one Mediator between God and man (Calvin, Luther, Ainsworth, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Murphy), or, what is more probable, Jacob himself as type of him, the Son of man, in whom the living intercourse between earth and heaven depicted in the vision of the angel-trodden staircase was completely fulfilled (Hengstenberg, Baumgsrten, Lange, Bush). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/28-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And [Jacob] dreamed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיַּחֲלֹ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·ḥă·lōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2492.htm">Strong's 2492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִנֵּ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a ladder</span><br /><span class="heb">סֻלָּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(sul·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5551.htm">Strong's 5551: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stair-case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that rested</span><br /><span class="heb">מֻצָּ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(muṣ·ṣāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5324.htm">Strong's 5324: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take one's stand, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the earth</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֔רְצָה</span> <span class="translit">(’ar·ṣāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with its top</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרֹאשׁ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rō·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reaching</span><br /><span class="heb">מַגִּ֣יעַ</span> <span class="translit">(mag·gî·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5060.htm">Strong's 5060: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">up to heaven,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·mā·yə·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and God’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">angels</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְאֲכֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mal·’ă·ḵê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4397.htm">Strong's 4397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A messenger, of God, an angel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were going up</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹלִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and down [the ladder].</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיֹרְדִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yō·rə·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/28-12.htm">OT Law: Genesis 28:12 He dreamed (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/28-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 28:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 28:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/28-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 28:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 28:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>