The Ladder of Jacob

The Ladder of Jacob

[An expansion of Jacob’s dream at Bethel; preserved in fragmentary and translated form.]

Jacob lay down in that place and dreamed: and behold, a ladder was set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven, and the angels of God ascended and descended upon it. At the top of the ladder was a face as of a man, carved out of fire, terrible to behold; and twelve steps were on the ladder, and on each step two faces, and the faces shone. [Text missing]

And the LORD stood above it and called to Jacob, and said, I am the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your seed; and your seed shall be as the stars and the sand, and in you and your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. I will be with you and keep you wherever you go.

Jacob awoke in fear and prayed: O Lord God of Adam and of my fathers, eternal and mighty, who made the heavens and the earth, who set the cherubim beneath your throne of glory: hear me, your servant; show me the meaning of this dream, that I may know what shall befall my seed. [Line damaged]

And the angel Sariel was sent to him, and said: The ladder is the age; the steps are the ages and their kings; and the faces are the kingdoms that shall rise and oppress your seed. But do not fear, for the LORD will not forsake your seed; in the last days one shall come to deliver them, and the wickedness of the nations shall be brought to an end, and your seed shall be lifted up. [Text missing]

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