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Genesis 28:17

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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.

And he was afraid {H3372}, and said {H559}, How dreadful {H3372} is this place {H4725}! this is none other but the house {H1004} of God {H430}, and this is the gate {H8179} of heaven {H8064}.

Then he became afraid and said, "This place is fearsome! This has to be the house of God! This is the gate of heaven!"

And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven!”

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

Commentary

Genesis 28:17 records Jacob's profound reaction upon waking from his dream of the ladder to heaven. Having just received powerful promises directly from God, he is overwhelmed by the sanctity of the place where he had slept. His exclamation reveals a deep sense of awe and reverence for the divine presence he encountered.

Context

This verse follows a pivotal moment in Jacob's life. He is on the run from his brother Esau, whom he had deceived to gain the birthright blessing (Genesis 27:41). While fleeing towards Haran, he stops for the night, using a stone for a pillow. It is here that he experiences the famous "Jacob's Ladder" dream, seeing a ladder or staircase stretching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending upon it. At the top, God Himself stands, reaffirming the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac, including the promise of land, numerous descendants, and divine protection (Genesis 28:12-15). Verse 17 captures Jacob's immediate, awe-struck response to this direct and unexpected divine encounter.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Awe: Jacob's declaration, "How dreadful is this place!" doesn't mean terrifying in a negative sense, but rather "awe-inspiring" or "reverent." It speaks to the overwhelming majesty and holiness of God's presence, which transforms an ordinary wilderness spot into sacred ground. This echoes other instances of human encounters with the divine, like Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5).
  • Bethel - The House of God: Jacob recognizes that this desolate place is, in fact, a sanctuary where heaven and earth connect. He names the place Bethel (Hebrew for "House of God"), signifying its newfound spiritual importance as a place of divine revelation and worship. This location becomes significant throughout Israel's history.
  • The Gate of Heaven: This phrase emphasizes the direct and accessible connection between the earthly realm and the divine. Jacob perceives this spot as a literal entry point, a conduit through which God communicates with humanity and angels travel. This concept foreshadows Jesus Christ, who declares Himself to be the "door" or "gate" through whom one enters into a relationship with God (John 10:9).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation of "dreadful" for the Hebrew word nora (נוֹרָא) can be misleading to modern readers. While nora can mean "terrifying," its primary sense in a sacred context is "awesome," "awe-inspiring," or "reverent." Jacob was not afraid in a fearful way, but rather filled with a profound sense of holy reverence and wonder at the magnitude of God's presence. The term Bethel (בֵּית־אֵל) literally means "house of God," directly reflecting Jacob's understanding of the place's newfound sacred status.

Practical Application

Jacob's experience reminds us that God's presence is not confined to specific buildings or designated holy sites. While temples and churches can be places of worship, God can reveal Himself anywhere, turning an ordinary moment or place into a profound spiritual encounter. This verse encourages believers to cultivate an awareness of God's omnipresence and to approach Him with a spirit of reverence and awe, recognizing that every place can potentially become "the house of God" and a "gate of heaven" when we acknowledge His sovereignty and presence.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 3:15 (9 votes)

    But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

  • Genesis 35:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

  • Genesis 35:13 (8 votes)

    And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.

  • Exodus 3:6 (8 votes)

    Moreover he said, I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

  • 2 Chronicles 5:14 (7 votes)

    So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

  • Luke 2:9 (7 votes)

    And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.