Genesis 28 recounts an important episode in the life of Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. In this chapter, Isaac instructs Jacob to go to Paddan-aram, the homeland of their relatives, to find a wife among their kin. As Jacob embarks on his journey, he arrives at a certain place and decides to rest there for the night. He takes a stone for a pillow and falls asleep.
During his sleep, Jacob has a remarkable dream where he sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. Angels ascend and descend on the ladder, and God Himself stands at the top, promising Jacob the land and descendants as numerous as the dust. God assures him of His constant presence and promises to bring him back to the land.
Awakening from the dream, Jacob is awestruck and acknowledges the holy nature of the place, calling it Bethel, meaning “house of God.” He takes the stone he used as a pillow, sets it up as a pillar, and pours oil on it as anointing. In response to God’s promise, Jacob vows to make the Lord his God and pledges a tenth of all he possesses to Him.
This chapter showcases Jacob’s encounter with God and the establishment of a significant covenant. To delve deeper into the context and meaning of each verse, click the following links: