Skip to main content

Jacob's Ladder

Illustration of Jacob's Ladder
Era
Patriarchs
Date
c. 1900 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
Genesis 28:10-22

Jacob, fleeing from his brother Esau after obtaining the family blessing, stops to rest at a site later known as Bethel and dreams of a ladder stretching from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending. In the dream, God stands above the ladder and reaffirms the Abrahamic covenant, promising Jacob numerous descendants, possession of the land, and personal protection as part of the divine plan. Upon awakening, Jacob anoints a stone pillar, names the place Bethel meaning "house of God," and vows faithfulness in response to the revelation. This event matters in Scripture because it confirms Jacob's role in the patriarchal lineage, establishes Bethel as a sacred location, and illustrates God's ongoing communication with humanity through divine encounters.

0:00

Did You Know?

1

In the dream, God stands above the ladder and reaffirms the Abrahamic covenant, promising Jacob numerous descendants, possession of the land, and personal protection as part of the divine plan.

2

Upon awakening, Jacob anoints a stone pillar, names the place Bethel meaning "house of God," and vows faithfulness in response to the revelation.

3

This event is dated to approximately c. 1900 BC in biblical chronology.

4

This took place at or near Bethel.

Key Passage

Jacob's Ladder

Genesis 28:10-22

A10nd Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.

11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 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. 13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. 18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my fatherโ€™s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be Godโ€™s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Read full chapter: Genesis 28 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Egypt's Old Kingdom builds the pyramids (c. 2600-2100 BC). Mesopotamia is dominated by Akkad and then Ur III. The Indus Valley civilization flourishes. Stonehenge is being constructed in Britain. This is the era of the great ziggurats and the first law codes (Ur-Nammu).

When: c. 2100 - 1800 BC

Key Civilizations: Ur III (Sumer), Old Kingdom Egypt

Biblical Parallels: Genesis 12-50