Berean BlueApp preview

Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 28:12

Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Browse this work.

Genesis28:12

12 And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold, the Angels of God ascending and descending on it .

This Ladder may be considered, either 1. Literally, and so it represented to Iacob the Providence of God, who though he dwell in heaven extends his care and government to the earth, and particularly makes use of the Angels as ministring Spirits for the good of his People. And these Angels do not appear idle, or standing still, but always in motion, either ascending to God to receive his commands, or descending to Earth for the Execution of them. Which was a most seasonable Vision for Iacob in his sad and sorrowful condition, that he might see, that though he was forsaken and persecuted by men, and forced to flee away secretly for fear of his life, yet he neither was nor should be neglected or forsaken by God in this whole Journey. Or 2. Mystically, and so it represents Christ, by whom Heaven and Earth are united, who is called the way to Heaven, which this Ladder was, who, as the head of Angels, is perpetually sending them forth either to God or from God to Minister to the Heirs of Salvation. Heb. 1. 14. And this explication or accommodation of this Vision is warranted by our Saviour himself, Ioh. 1. 51.

Marginal references: Heb. 1. 14.

Matthew Poole and continuators, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, Genesis 28:12. Public domain.

Permanent link. Source edition.

Read Genesis 28. Compare commentaries on this chapter.

Source and publication rights

Text Creation Partnership. Public domain; TCP unrestricted text and encoding. Source edition.

Berean Blue opens December 1, 2026. Explore this passage in the app preview.