Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "ladder" is most prominently associated with the vision of Jacob, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. This vision is a significant event in the narrative of the patriarchs and holds deep theological implications.Jacob's Ladder The account of Jacob's ladder is found in Genesis 28:10-19. As Jacob flees from his brother Esau and journeys toward Haran, he stops for the night at a place later named Bethel. During his sleep, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Above the ladder stands the LORD, who reiterates the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac, assuring Jacob of His presence and protection. The Berean Standard Bible renders this passage as follows: "Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and set out for Haran. On reaching a certain place, he spent the night there because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones from that place, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 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. 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.'" (Genesis 28:10-13) Symbolism and Interpretation The ladder in Jacob's dream is rich in symbolism. It represents the connection between heaven and earth, illustrating the accessibility of God to humanity. The angels moving up and down the ladder signify divine communication and the active involvement of God in the affairs of the world. This vision reassures Jacob of God's ongoing presence and the fulfillment of His promises, despite Jacob's current circumstances. From a theological perspective, the ladder can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, who bridges the gap between God and man. In the New Testament, Jesus alludes to this imagery in John 1:51, where He tells Nathanael, "Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." This statement positions Jesus as the ultimate mediator between heaven and earth. Cultural and Historical Context In the ancient Near Eastern context, ladders or stairways were often associated with ziggurats, which were temple towers designed to connect the earthly realm with the divine. Jacob's vision, however, emphasizes that it is not a man-made structure but a divinely provided means of access to God. Applications in Christian Thought Jacob's ladder has been a source of inspiration and reflection in Christian thought and art. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the assurance of His presence. The vision encourages believers to trust in God's promises and to seek a deeper relationship with Him through prayer and faith. In summary, the ladder in Jacob's dream is a profound symbol of divine-human interaction, highlighting God's initiative in reaching out to humanity and His commitment to His covenant promises. ATS Bible Dictionary LadderGenesis 28:12-17. The comforting vision of the heavenly ladder shown to the fugitive Jacob, assured him of the omnipresent providence of God, and of his communication of all needed good to his people in the desert of this world, Hebrews 1:14. It was also an assurance that there was a way open from earth to heaven, as well as from heaven to earth; and we may see in it an illustration of the nature of Christ, in which heaven and earth meet; and of his work, which brings man home to God. Easton's Bible Dictionary Occurs only once, in the account of Jacob's vision (Genesis 28:12). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A frame usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened cross strips or rounds forming steps.2. (v. i.) That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that by means of which one attains to eminence. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia LADDER OF TYRE(He klimax (apo tes klimakos) Turou): Not mentioned in the Old Testament or the New Testament, but in Apocrypha (1 Maccabees 11:59), where it is said that Antiochus VI, after having confirmed Jonathan in the high-priesthood, appointed his brother Simon captain over the territory included between the Ladder of Tyre and the borders of Egypt. The Ladder has been located at different points on the coast between Tyre and Acre, such as the Ras el-`Abyadh ("Promontorium Album" of the ancient geographers), about 7 miles South of Tyre, and Ras en-Naqurah, about 6 miles farther South, and Ras el-Musheirifeh, a little farther on. These are capes jutting westward into the sea from the ridge which runs parallel to the general line of the coast. These capes project more than a mile into the sea, and present a very bold and precipitous front from 200 to 300 ft. in height. The ascent on either side of the promontory is very steep, and at Ras el-`Abyadh steps were cut in the white rock, which led to the identification of this point with the Ladder, but a reference to Josephus (B J, II, x, 2) leads to a different conclusion. He locates it 100 stadia North of Acre, which corresponds fairly well with the southern limit of the whole promontory, which is about 12 miles North of Acre, but not at all with Ras el-`Abyadh. The altitude of el Musheirifeh is greater than that of el-`Abyadh and may have had steps cut in it similar to the latter. It is more probable that the Ladder of Tyre was here, or at en-Naqurah, but the term applied to the whole promontory, which offered a serious obstacle to the passage of armies, or even caravans, since the approach is precipitous on either side, and at Ras el-`Abyadh the road skirts the edge of a sheer precipice, where a misstep would hurl one into the sea some 200 ft. below. The application of the term to the whole promontory seems to be indicated by Josephus, since he speaks of it as one of the mountains which encompass the plain of Ptolemais (Acre) and the highest of all. This would not be true of any one of the three capes mentioned, but would be if the hills behind, which form their base, were included. That it was designated as the Ladder of Tyre rather than of Acre was probably due to the fact that the promontory is nearer the former city (see Thomson, LB, II, edition 1882; SWP, name-lists, under the word). TYRE, LADDER OF (klimakos Turou): Given. in 1 Maccabees 11:59 as the northern limit of the territory placed under the authority of Simon Thassi the Maccabee by Antiochus VI (Theos), in the year 143 B.C. The statement of Josephus (B J, II, x, 2) that it was 100 furlongs North of Ptolemais, and a similar indication of position in the Jerusalem Talmud (Ab Zar 19) lead us to identify it with Ras-en-Naqurah and not with Ras-el-`Abyad (Promontorium Album of Pliny), as has been done. Here the rugged hills of Upper Galilee descend in bold precipices to the sea and leave no beach between. A natural barrier is thus formed which prevented the histories of Israel and Tyre from ever touching one another except in peaceful relations. LADDER lad'-er. Strong's Hebrew 5551. sullam -- a ladder... 5550, 5551. sullam. 5552 . a ladder. Transliteration: sullam Phonetic Spelling: (sool-lawm') Short Definition: ladder. Word Origin ... /hebrew/5551.htm - 6k 3883. lul -- a shaft or enclosed space with steps or ladder Library Jacob's Ladder Gen 28:12:00 A Long Ladder Tumbles to the Ground. The Cross of Christ is the Jacob's Ladder by which we Ascend into ... Argument. --When the Saints were Apprehended, St. Perpetua ... February the Fifth Everywhere the Gate of Heaven The Fifth Commandment When Diamond Got Round the Corner of the Hay... "I'll Never Steal Again --If Father Kills Me for It" Ecdippa. Achzib. Joshua 19:29; Judges 1:31 Climax of the Tyrians. Steadfast unto the End Thesaurus Ladder (1 Occurrence)... 2. (vi) That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that by means of which one attains to eminence. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LADDER OF TYRE. ... /l/ladder.htm - 10k Scale (38 Occurrences) Tyre (59 Occurrences) Bethel (67 Occurrences) Turn (963 Occurrences) Jacob (361 Occurrences) Lade (4 Occurrences) Vision (106 Occurrences) Ladanum (2 Occurrences) Resources What is Jacob's Ladder? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Bethel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Nathanael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Ladder: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Ladder (1 Occurrence)Genesis 28:12 Subtopics Related Terms Misrephothmaim (2 Occurrences) |
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