Jacob Leaves Beersheba

“And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.” 

Genesis 28:10 (KJV)

The text records that Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran.

Jacob Stops for the Night

“And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.”

Genesis 28:11 (KJV)

The text records that Jacob came to a certain place and stayed there for the night because the sun had set. He took stones from that place, put them for his pillows, and lay down to sleep.

Jacob's Dream

“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 (KJV)

The text records that Jacob dreamed of a ladder set upon the earth, reaching to heaven, with the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

The LORD Speaks to Jacob

“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;

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.

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 28:13–15 (KJV)

The text records that the LORD identified Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac. The LORD said He would give the land where Jacob lay to him and to his descendants. The LORD said Jacob's descendants would be as the dust of the earth and would spread to the west, east, north, and south. The LORD said that all the families of the earth would be blessed in Jacob and his descendants. The LORD also said He would be with Jacob, keep him wherever he went, bring him again into the land, and not leave him until He had fulfilled what He had spoken.

Jacob Awakens

“And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.

And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Genesis 28:16–17 (KJV)

The text records that Jacob awoke from his sleep and said that the LORD was in that place, though he had not known it. The text records that Jacob was afraid and said that the place was the house of God and the gate of heaven.

Jacob Sets Up a Pillar

“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.

And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.”

Genesis 28:18–19 (KJV)

The text records that Jacob rose early in the morning, took the stone he had used for his pillows, set it up as a pillar, poured oil on top of it, and called the place Bethel. The text records that the city had previously been called Luz.

Jacob Makes a Vow

“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,

So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”

Genesis 28:20–22 (KJV)

The text records that Jacob made a vow. He said that if God would be with him, keep him on his journey, give him bread to eat and clothing to wear, and bring him again to his father's house in peace, then the LORD would be his God. Jacob also said that the stone he had set up as a pillar would be God's house and that he would surely give God a tenth of all that God gave him.

Biblical Record Summary (KJV)

According to Genesis 28:10–22 (KJV):

• Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran.

• Jacob came to a certain place and stayed there for the night because the sun had set.

• Jacob took stones from the place and used them for his pillows.

• Jacob lay down to sleep.

• Jacob dreamed of a ladder set upon the earth reaching to heaven.

• The angels of God ascended and descended on the ladder.

• The LORD identified Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac.

• The LORD promised to give the land to Jacob and his descendants.

• The LORD said Jacob's descendants would be as the dust of the earth.

• The LORD said all the families of the earth would be blessed in Jacob and his descendants.

• The LORD said He would be with Jacob, keep him wherever he went, bring him back to the land, and not leave him until He had fulfilled His word.

• Jacob awoke from his sleep.

• Jacob said the LORD was in that place.

• Jacob said the place was the house of God and the gate of heaven.

• Jacob set up the stone as a pillar.

• Jacob poured oil upon the top of the pillar.

• Jacob called the place Bethel, which had previously been called Luz.

• Jacob made a vow.

• Jacob said the LORD would be his God if God was with him, kept him, provided for him, and brought him safely back.

• Jacob said the pillar would be God's house.

• Jacob said he would give a tenth of all that God gave him.