Genesis 28:12

And he dreamed The vision, about to be described, is conveyed through the medium of a dream; cf. Genesis 20:3.

a ladder It has been suggested, e.g. by Stanley (Sinai and Palestine, p. 219) that the ledges of rock, one above the other, on the Bethel hill produced an impression on the faculties of Jacob, which took the shape, in his dream, of a flight of steps. By "a ladder," LXX κλίμαξ, Lat. scala, we must not understand a house ladder, with uprights and rung of wood; but, rather, a stairway, or ascent by successive terraces. Possibly, the "ladder" here mentioned resembled the ascent to Babylonian and Assyrian temples, in which the shrine or sanctuary, on the summit, was reached by steps leading through seven terraces, corresponding to the seven planets: see note on Genesis 11:4.

on the earth … to heaven The distinctive feature of the vision is the communication between earth and heaven.

For the impression produced upon the mind of a modern traveller by the scenery of this spot, see footnote 1 [24].

[24] "One of the most singular stone formations west of the Jordan in Palestine is to be seen in the great stonefield a little to the north of the modern town of Beitin, the ancient Bethel.… Huge stones seem to be piled one upon another to make columns nine or ten feet or more in height. In reality these columns are produced by erosion, and the different density of the strata has led to greater erosion in one part than in another, so that they taper and bulge in manifold and various shapes. So strong is the resemblance to construction made by men's hands that I myself have gone to this spot, not once but several times, and examined every stone, to make sure that there could be no mistake in my impression, and I have found that others have done the same thing. It is only after such a careful examination of the site that one convinces one's self that in reality these stone pillars are the work of nature, not of man.… Surely it is a point at which heaven and earth meet. And there stand the pillars which the mighty heroes of antiquity erected.… It was only the giant men of olden times who could set up as memorials of communion with God these mighty stones at this point where heaven and earth are so clearly united" (Peters, Early Hebrew Story, pp. 111, 112).

the angels of God For this unusual expression, cf. Genesis 32:1-2. The expression "the angel of God" is common, but that of "the angels of God" is most rare. We are to suppose that to the sleeper's eyes were revealed the heavenly hosts, the members and attendants of the heavenly court (see notes on Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 6:2).

ascending and descending See the use made of this vision in our Lord's words to Nathanael, John 1:51. "Ascending" comes before "descending," which reminds us that the process of Divine ministration to the sons of men has been going on before it is finally revealed to their spiritual faculties. "Ascending," with tasks completed: "descending," with fresh commissions from above.