Genesis 28

Jacob’s ladder (the Son of Man as the way to heaven)

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. Genesis 28:12

Jesus told Nathanael he would see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man, putting Himself where the ladder stood. He is the way that joins earth to heaven, which Latter-day Saints also connect to temple covenants.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by John 1:51 — angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man
• a type of what is in John 14:6 — I am the way ... no man cometh unto the Father, but by me

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name of God, rendered LORD; the premortal Jesus Christ

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; Genesis 28:13

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, stands at the top of the ladder and speaks, introducing Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac. The One at the top of the way to heaven is the covenant God Himself.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Genesis 26:24 — I am the God of Abraham thy father, said to Isaac
• the same title in Exodus 3:6 — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob
• alluded to by Hosea 12:4-5 — he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; even the LORD God of hosts

The seed of Abraham

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. Genesis 28:14

The Abrahamic promise now passes to Jacob. The blessing for all the families of the earth comes through Jacob’s line and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the promised seed.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Genesis 12:3 — in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed
• quotes Genesis 26:4 — the same promise given to Isaac
• interpreted by Galatians 3:16 — the seed is Christ
• interpreted by Acts 3:25-26 — Peter applies the promise to Jesus

Jehovah

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. Genesis 28:15

Jehovah speaks directly to a frightened young man running for his life and promises to stay with him and bring him home.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• the same title in Genesis 31:3 — the LORD again says to Jacob 'I will be with thee' when calling him home

House of God, gate of heaven

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. Genesis 28:16–17

Jacob realizes that the LORD’s presence made this place a house of God and a gate of heaven, a forerunner of the temple. Christ is the door and the keeper of the gate, so every true house of God leads to Him.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in John 10:9 — I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved
• a type of what is in 2 Nephi 9:41 — the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel

Stone

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. Genesis 28:18

Jacob anoints the stone he rested on and makes it a memorial of meeting God. Later scripture calls the Lord the Stone of Israel (Genesis 49:24), and Messiah means Anointed, so some teachers see the anointed stone as a quiet picture of Christ.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Genesis 31:13 — I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name of God, rendered LORD

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, Genesis 28:20–22

Jacob makes his own covenant with Jehovah, choosing the LORD as his God and promising a tenth of everything. His faith moves from inheriting his fathers' covenant to making it personally his.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• alludes to Genesis 28:15 — Jacob's vow echoes the LORD's promise to keep him in all places
• alluded to by Genesis 31:13 — the God of Bethel recalls 'where thou vowedst a vow unto me'