Ladder

Occurs only once, in the account of Jacob’s vision (Gen. 28:12).

LAD'DER (Heb. a staircase, from the verb "to raise up"), the object seen by Jacob in his vision. Gen 28:12. The use of the word in other writers suggests that the patriarch saw mountains or rocks piled up as a staircase. It was a symbol of communion with heaven through Christ. See John 1:51.

LAD'DER (Heb. a staircase, from the verb "to raise up"), the object seen by Jacob in his vision. Gen 28:12. The use of the word in other writers suggests that the patriarch saw mountains or rocks piled up as a staircase. It was a symbol of communion with heaven through Christ. See John 1:51.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A frame usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened cross strips or rounds forming steps. Some the engines play, And some, more bold, mount ladders to the fire. Dryden.

2. That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, that by means of which one attains to eminence. Lowliness is young ambition's ladder. Shak. Fish ladder. See under Fish. -- Ladder beetle (Zoöl.), an American leaf beetle (Chrysomela scalaris). The elytra are silvery white, striped and spotted with green; the under wings are rose-colored. It feeds upon the linden tree. -- Ladder handle, an iron rail at the side of a vertical fixed ladder, to grasp with the hand in climbing. -- Ladder shell (Zoöl.), a spiral marine shell of the genus Scalaria. See Scalaria.