Many times, I have heard people from various cultures associate dreaming about a ladder with death. This interpretation is obviously inspired by the depiction of long ladders heading to heaven when one dies in movies.
When I dreamed about climbing a tall ladder last week, I called my dad, a gifted dream interpreter, to get answers. While I expected to hear that my days were numbered, his interpretations were not related to death.
I had so many questions about these dreams, mainly to eliminate the misconceptions I had held onto regarding ladder dreams for so long.
After a two-hour informative phone call, I felt the knowledge would benefit a lot of people, and I wrote this article.
So, let us delve into the biblical meaning of a ladder in a dream.
The ladder appears only once in the Bible. In Genesis 28:12-16, Jacob sees a ladder standing on earth whose top reaches heaven. Jacob sees angels ascend and descend the ladder in the dream. In the same vision, God appears on top, introduces Himself to Jacob, and blesses him. Because of this passage, some Christians believe that a ladder in a dream is a sign of a direct connection to God. It is worth noting that the precise interpretation of seeing a ladder varies from dream to dream.
In this article, I invite you to join me as we delve into the meaning of a ladder in a dream and discover the spiritual meaning of that dream.
Additionally, I provide interpretations of common dreams of a ladder. Read along to find the answers to these questions and more.
What do ladders symbolize in the Bible?
Some Bible versions use the word ladder while others use the stairway. For example, the King James Bible, New King James Version, and English Standard Version use “ladder” in Genesis 28:12.
Other versions like the New International Version and New Living Translation use “stairway.” In Genesis 28:12, the Bible says that Jacob saw, in a dream, a ladder whose base stood on the earth and top touched heaven.
The same verse says that Jacob saw the angels of God ascend and descend using the ladder. For that reason, some Bible scholars believe that ladders symbolize a link between an individual and God.
Their belief originates from Genesis 28:13, where the Bible says that God appeared from the top of the ladder. That excerpt from the Bible suggests that Jacob saw God in that dream speak with him from above in the sky.
Others have a feeling that ladders symbolize God’s imminent announcement. They hold their belief based on the sequence of events mentioned above: A ladder appears first, then angels ascend and descend on it before God introduces Himself and blesses Jacob.
Some Christians presume that ladders in the Bible symbolize a call. They hypothesize that if a ladder precedes God’s appearance and announcement, seeing one in a dream is a sign that God is asking you to heed your call.
Others think that a ladder in a dream represents a reminder to you about your covenant with God.
Spiritual meaning of a ladder
Some people believe that a ladder represents a rise-and-fall change. They theorize that a ladder represents a lack of stability as people must use it to go up and then back down.
Others hold that ladders represent development. They base this speculation on the idea that ladders are critical to construction projects.
Some people also imagine the rise and fall of nations. On the same thought, some reckon that ladders represent a shift in geopolitical dynamics, with Israel rising as its enemies fall.
Some people presuppose that ladders represent effective prayers. They base this belief on the speculation that ladders connect the earth and heaven.
It is believed that ladders represent prayers reaching heaven and answers coming back. Some people feel that a ladder symbolizes a spiritual tracker.
It is speculated that a ladder represents a spot with a direct connection to heaven. It is also assumed that a ladder is a sign that a place is holy.
Others reason that the ladder represents your spiritual growth. They hypothesize that ascending a ladder is a sign of positive spiritual development.
They also suppose that descending a ladder may represent your spiritual backsliding.
Some believe that a ladder is a sign to start working on a project. They theorize that builders make a ladder when a project gets serious, and it is time to fix high parts.
Others say that a ladder is a sign that you should take charge of a situation. They theorize that it is the experienced workers who often ascend ladders and seeing one is a sign of authority.
Meaning of dreaming about a ladder?
Some dream interpreters believe that dreaming about a ladder is a sign that you should be patient in your waking life. They get that belief from the view that the design of a ladder demands you to ascend or descend it rung by rung.
They suppose that dreaming about a ladder represents a message that you should slow down in a particular endeavor and move step-by-step.
Some Christians hold that dreaming represents a Christian’s journey toward glory. They speculate that dreaming about a ladder is a sign that a believer should perceive salvation as a gradual journey.
These believers even compare a ladder with a railroad.
They are of the opinion that while the latter is a sign of speed, the former is a sign of a slow, upward journey.
Some believers hypothesize that a ladder in a dream represents the proper visualization of a Christian’s spiritual journey. They say that an ideal spiritual journey ends with a believer’s soul in heaven.
Some Christians hold that dreaming about a ladder is a sign of God’s help. They base this belief on the speculation that angels use ladders God has created to descend to help believers and ascend to take their petitions and pleas.
Others presume that a ladder that touches heaven represents an uninterrupted movement of messenger angels between heaven and earth.
They further theorize that dreaming about a ladder is a sign to pray persistently.
Some people believe that dreaming about a ladder is a sign of a major change in life. They hold that such a change may involve the dreamer’s family, career, economic, or individual development.
Some people presuppose that dreaming about a ladder is a sign of your psychological state in waking life. They speculate that how you feel on the ladder when you dream is a sign of either stability or instability in your waking life.
Spiritual reasons why you are dreaming about a ladder
Some people believe that dreaming about a ladder has underlying spiritual reasons. Some posit that dreaming about a ladder is a sign that you must be careful in your waking life.
They base this speculation on the reasoning that a literal ladder requires keenness. Otherwise, you may fall over. Some also reason that seeing a ladder in a dream represents a call to upgrade your crucial life schemes.
They assume that ladders take people down but eventually bring them up. They believe that seeing a ladder in a dream is a sign that it is time to rise.
Some dream interpreters believe that dreaming about a ladder is a sign of projects with uncertain elements. They believe that sometimes in real life, people use ladders to descend into unknown underground places.
They speculate that dreaming about a ladder is a sign to abandon risky projects and seek more stable ones in waking life. Still, some people say that dreaming about a ladder is a sign that you should be brave.
They posit that ascending a ladder requires bravery and determination when taking the first step.
Some people believe that a ladder is a sign that you are in danger. They speculate that, in real life, people escape from danger by climbing a ladder.
Others posit that seeing a ladder in a dream is a sign that it is time for a leader to step down. They are of the opinion that going up a ladder in one instance represents assuming power, which may be good at the time.
They also assume that coming down a ladder represents stepping down. They believe doing so may be the better option at the time.
Some people hold that dreaming about a ladder when you are in the corporate world may also foreshadow a promotion. They posit that even the term “corporate ladder” was coined in that regard.
Some people have a feeling that seeing a ladder in a dream is a sign of safety and security. They speculate that if you have climbed some height, seeing a ladder available is a sign of a safe descent.
They further suppose that when you have gone underground, seeing a ladder is reassuring that you can come back to the ground.
Biblical meaning of seeing a ladder in your dreams
The Bible does not explicitly state the meaning of seeing a ladder in your dreams. However, some biblical scholars believe that seeing a ladder in a dream is a sign of a divine connection to heaven.
Others presume that a ladder in a dream represents prayers. They speculate that seeing a ladder in a dream is a sign that you should establish a connection with heaven through prayers.
Some theologians hold that seeing a ladder in a dream is a sign of God’s presence. They theorize that a ladder appears then God appears to make an announcement.
Some Christians hold that seeing a ladder in a dream is a sign that God is listening. They are of the opinion that if a ladder suggests God’s presence, it is also a sign that God is receptive to the believers’ prayers.
Others build on that speculation and conclude that seeing a ladder in a dream is a sign of God’s reachability through prayers.
Specific dreams about seeing a ladder and their biblical meanings
Dreaming about a rope ladder
The Bible does not give the meaning of seeing a rope ladder in a dream. However, some people believe that a rope ladder is too delicate to support climbing.
Therefore, they speculate that seeing a rope ladder in a dream is a sign that you should be careful about the decisions you make in your waking life.
Dreaming about a broken ladder
The Bible does not state exactly the meaning of a broken ladder in a dream. However, some Christians speculate that seeing a broken ladder in a dream is a sign of a disconnect from God.
They believe that a proper connection with God is continuous since God is always working. John 5:17 says, “But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.'”
Others posit that seeing a broken ladder in a dream is a sign that you have lost your competitive advantage.
They are of the opinion that a broken ladder is a sign that you may not achieve your desired goals.
Dreaming about climbing a ladder
The Bible does not state what dreaming about climbing a ladder means. However, some Christians believe that climbing a ladder is a sign of praying to God.
They base this belief on the speculation that the angels ascend a spiritual ladder to take messages to God. Some posit that dreaming about climbing a ladder is a sign that you are attaining a new spiritual height.
Others hold that dreaming about climbing a ladder to hear something is a sign that you will soon be successful. They theorize the dreamer has heard a secret tip for success.
However, some people presume that climbing a ladder in a dream is a sign of receiving help from hypocritical people. They posit that this dream represents a warning to vet your close associates.
Dreaming about a thin ladder
The Bible does not explain the meaning of seeing a thin ladder in a dream. However, some dream interpreters speculate that the narrow ladder represents a difficult path.
Still, some Christians believe that a narrow ladder is a sign of the way to salvation. They theorize that if a ladder represents a path to God, a narrow ladder in a dream represents the narrow way in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Dreaming about a short ladder
The Bible does not mention the meaning of seeing a short ladder in a dream. However, some Christians speculate that a short ladder in a dream is a sign of a path that falls short of the glory of God.
They are of the opinion that God’s work is perfect and believe that a meaningful ladder in God’s work is not short. Some people hold that seeing a short ladder represents an easy task.
They theorize that a short ladder represents a relatively short building. Others posit that a short ladder represents certainty and stability.
Dreaming about a long ladder
The Bible does not mention the meaning of seeing a long ladder in a dream. However, some dream interpreters speculate that seeing a long ladder is a sign that you have adequate tools to reach your goal.
They conclude that if a short ladder is a sign of inadequacy, a long one represents abundance. Others are of the opinion that seeing a long ladder in a dream is a sign that you have a long journey ahead.
Some believe that seeing a long ladder is a sign that you must plan thoroughly, as the coming endeavor is long and unknown.
Dreaming about a wide ladder
The Bible does not state the meaning of seeing a wide ladder in a dream. However, some Bible scholars speculate that a wide ladder in a dream represents temptations as it is comfortable.
Others hold that Christianity is not easy, and comfort is a deceptive scheme that misleads. For that reason, some Bible scholars believe that seeing a wide ladder in a dream is a sign that you are walking toward destruction in your waking life.
They posit that seeing a wide ladder is a sign that you are overconfident about your sense of safety.
Dreaming about a ladder with smaller steps
The Bible does not mention the meaning of seeing a ladder with smaller steps in a dream. However, some Bible scholars theorize that a ladder with smaller steps represents the ideal walk with Christ.
They have a feeling that a ladder with smaller steps in a dream represents the correct path. They speculate that a Christian’s life has challenges that test their faith.
Dreaming about a wooden ladder
The Bible does not explicitly state the meaning of seeing a wooden ladder in a dream. However, some dream interpreters believe that a wooden ladder in a dream represents a call to be keen when performing your responsibilities in your waking life.
They hypothesize that even making a wooden ladder requires precise measurements to avoid wasting material. However, others presume that seeing a wooden ladder in a dream represents hard labor.
They posit that, in modern times, a wooden ladder is an out-of-date building technology.
Dreaming about falling from a ladder
The Bible does not mention the meaning of falling from a ladder in a dream. However, some biblical scholars suggest that dreaming about falling from a ladder represents falling from God’s grace.
They presume that a ladder represents being on good terms with God. They further hypothesize that falling from a ladder in a dream is like Lucifer’s fallout with God in Isaiah 14:12: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!”
What should I do if I dream about a ladder?
It is believed that if you dream about a ladder, you should not panic and instead reflect on the dream in its entirety to interpret it accurately.
Most dream interpreters presuppose that dreaming about a ladder represents difficulty and good fortune. Some dream interpreters suggest seeking interpretation assistance from a therapist.
However, if you are a Christian, you know that you should seek God’s help through prayers to understand your dream about a ladder.
The Bible urges Christians to ask God for anything, and God will give them in Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
This promise from Christ suggests that Christians can ask God to reveal the meaning of a dream about a ladder if it is not immediately apparent.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
