Jacob's Ladder

Chapter 28 of the Book of Genesis tells the story of Jacob’s Ladder. When Jacob the son of Isaac was a young man, he journeyed from Beersheba to Haran. At the close of day he chose a spot to spend the night. He rested his head on a stone and began to dream. In his dream he saw a great ladder from Earth to Heaven, with angels travelling up and down. The Lord appeared to Jacob and told him that the land upon which he lay would be for Jacob, for his children, and for his children’s children. The Lord promised Jacob, “In thy seed shall all the families of the Earth be blessed.” When Jacob awoke, he took the stone he had been using for a pillow and marked the spot. Thereafter he called the place Bethel, which means “House of the Lord.”