Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 28:11

"And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set. And he took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep." — Genesis 28:11 (ASV)

He came upon a certain place. —Hebrew, he lighted upon the place. The article probably signifies that it was the place appointed for the revelation, though Jacob came upon it by chance. As it lay twelve miles north of Jerusalem, in the mountains of Ephraim, Jacob had already been at least four days on the route (see Note on Genesis 22:4); and though we are not to suppose that Isaac would send away the son who was heir of the blessing without a few trusty servants (nor does the expression in Genesis 32:10 require it), yet Jacob would nonetheless feel the solemnity of the journey, and the difficulties that surrounded him.

He might well have asked whether El Shaddai would confirm him in the possession of what he had defiled by fraud and cunning. And thus, meditating much and praying much, he had in those four days drawn near to God, and was at last accepted.

The interest in Jacob’s life lies in the gradual improvement and progress of his character. Religion was always a reality with him; but at first it was of a low type, and marred by duplicity and earthly scheming. His schemes succeeded, but brought with them sorrow and trial; and trial purified him, and gradually he advanced into a region of unselfish and holy piety. Though to the last he was a man sagacious, and full of expedients, yet the nobler part of his character finally had the supremacy.

He took of the stones... —Hebrew, he took one of the stones of the place, and put it as his bolster. Jewish commentators identify the place with Mount Moriah, and say that the stone that Jacob placed under his head was one of those that had formed the altar on which Isaac had been bound for sacrifice. The name Beth-el signified, they add, the temple, and as makôm —place—is used three times in this verse, it mysteriously foreshadowed the three temples—Solomon’s, Zerubbabel’s, and Herod’s—that successively occupied the site. More probably Beth-el was really the town of that name, and these explanations are allegorical rather than expository.