Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 28:12

"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 (ASV)

Behold a ladder... — Isaac had confirmed Jacob in the possession of the blessing before he started on his long journey, but it was necessary that he should also have the Divine ratification of his appointment. The chief privilege was the covenant with God previously confirmed to Isaac, his father (Genesis 17:19–21).

Day after day, then, he traveled forward, anxious and oppressed. As he went farther from his home, he felt the responsibilities attendant upon that birthright which he had coveted so eagerly. His lot was now a repetition of Abraham's; but Abraham had traveled from Haran with a noble following and by express command. Jacob had at most only a few attendants, and no voice from God had yet reached him. But faith in Him was growing strong, and the Divine ratification of the Abrahamic covenant was at length vouchsafed to him.

In his sleep he sees a ladder, or staircase, rising from the ground at his side and reaching up to heaven. It tells him that heaven and earth are united and that there is a way from one to the other. Upon these stairs, messengers of Elohim are ascending and descending, carrying up to God men’s prayers, and the tale of their wants and sorrows, of their faith, hope, and trust, and bringing down to them help, comfort, and blessing.

At the head of the ladder, Jehovah Himself stands. The word is the one used in Genesis 24:13, signifying that the Deity was not there accidentally but holds His permanent station there. Finally, Jehovah, from His heavenly post, confirms to Jacob all the promises made from the time Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees and assures him of His constant presence and protection.

It has been pointed out that each of the three stages in the dream has emphasis given to it by the word behold, and that this rises to a climax at the third repetition, when the covenant God is seen stationed at the head of this pathway between earth and heaven. But besides this, Jacob's value in Jehovah’s sight now arises from his being the appointed ancestor of the Messiah, in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed (Genesis 28:14). Christ, too, is the Way symbolized by this ladder (John 14:6) and the bridge of union between the material and the spiritual world (1 Timothy 2:5). Accordingly, our Lord Himself claims that the angels of God ascend and descend upon Him (John 1:51).