Bethel

In the Bible

• Abraham: Abraham pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai and built an altar there (Genesis 12:8). After returning from Egypt, he again called on the name of the LORD at this place (Genesis 13:3-4).
• Jacob's dream: While fleeing from his brother on the way to Haran, Jacob had a dream here. In it he saw a ladder reaching to heaven, with the angels of God ascending and descending on it (Jacob's Ladder, Genesis 28:10-22). On waking, Jacob set up the stone he had used for a pillow as a pillar and poured oil on it. He named the place Bethel and vowed to give a tenth of all he received.
• Jacob's return: At God's command, Jacob had his household put away their idols and went up to Bethel again. There he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, meaning "God of Bethel" (Genesis 35:1-15).
• The period of the judges and Samuel: For a time the Ark of the Covenant was kept here (Judges 20:26-27). Samuel went on a yearly circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, judging Israel (1 Samuel 7:16).
• The divided kingdom: To keep the people from going up to Jerusalem, Jeroboam set up golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-33). Later, King Josiah of Judah tore down the altar at Bethel (2 Kings 23:15).
• The prophets: Elijah and Elisha passed through Bethel, where there were sons of the prophets (2 Kings 2:2-3). Amos prophesied at Bethel until Amaziah, the priest there, drove him out (Amos 7:10-13). Hosea mockingly called Bethel "Beth-aven," meaning "house of wickedness" (Hosea 4:15).

Background

In Hebrew, beth means "house" and el means "God," so Bethel means "house of God." Before it received this name, the place was called Luz (Genesis 28:19). Bethel lay in the hill country north of Jerusalem, on the border between the tribes of Benjamin and Ephraim (Joshua 18:13). Today it is commonly identified with the area of Beitin, though some scholars propose other sites.

Significance Across Scripture

Bethel was a place where people met God and worshiped him. Later, however, it became a center of idolatry. Jeroboam's words before the golden calves (1 Kings 12:28) are nearly identical to those spoken in the golden calf incident of Exodus 32:4. The name Bethel does not appear in the New Testament. Nevertheless, Jesus' statement to Nathanael that he would see "the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:51) recalls Jacob's dream. For this reason many interpreters read the saying as assigning to Jesus Christ the role of the place where heaven and earth are joined. The New Testament also applies the idea of the "house of God" to the church and to believers (1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

Interpretation and Debated Points

• The form of the ladder: The Hebrew word translated "ladder" in Genesis 28:12 occurs only here in the Bible. Scholars therefore differ over whether it should be understood as a ladder or as a stairway.
• Jacob's vow: Jacob's vow begins with a condition: "If God will be with me…" (Genesis 28:20-22). Some interpreters read this condition as bargaining that reveals a still immature faith, while others read it as the faithful response of one who had received a promise.
• A basis for tithing: This vow is often cited as an instance of the tithe before the giving of the Law. Others, however, regard it as merely a personal, voluntary vow rather than a command given to all (tithing debate).
• Extrabiblical tradition: According to legend, the stone on which Jacob laid his head later became the stone used in the coronation of British monarchs. This story has no basis in the biblical text.

In the Korean Church

The name "Bethel" is widely used for churches, prayer retreat centers, and retreats. "Let Us Go Up to Bethel," based on Genesis 35, is a frequent theme of revival meetings and New Year sermons, where it serves as a call to return to one's first faith. The hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee," inspired by Jacob's dream, has also long been sung in Korean churches.