Ladder

Ladder occurs once in Scripture, in the account of Jacob's vision at Bethel: "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" (Gen. 28:12). The Hebrew word sullam may refer to a stairway or ramp rather than a narrow ladder. The vision assures Jacob of God's presence and covenant continuity as he flees from Esau. Jesus alludes to this passage in John 1:51, applying it to himself: "You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man" — identifying himself as the true bridge between heaven and earth.