The answer is: Ladder

Gen 28:12

In the heart of Genesis 28, Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching to heaven is nothing short of fascinating. Can you imagine? He’s on the run, all alone during a nighttime stopover, and God gives him a spectacular glimpse of the otherworldly. This ladder connects our earthly realm with the divine, symbolizing a bridge between humanity and the sacred.

A notable echo this story has is with the Tower of Babel narrative later in Genesis. While there, people sought to build a tower to reach the heavens and connect through their shared ambition, Jacob’s ladder humbly descends from divine origin, showing that connection to the divine isn’t something we construct but rather something bestowed upon us by the divine will.

Trivia alert: The Hebrew term for "ladder," *sullam*, can also suggest a staircase or a ramp. Some interpret this climbing as reflective of life's spiritual journey, where we ascend toward higher truths or virtues.

In Jacob's vision, he sees angels descending and ascending, reinforcing the idea that spiritual awakening is not a solitary mount but a communal connection of celestial beings. Interestingly, Jesus references a similar imagery when he talks of angels in a way that unites heaven and earth, hinting at a thread of continuity throughout scripture. The ladder serves as an early image of interconnection, inviting us to reflect on our routes to understanding and connection with what transcends us.