Site of Jacob's dream (Jacob's Ladder) and the inspiration behind the hymn "Nearer my God to thee." (more photos: Wiki)
---
BD Bethel:House of God. (1) Formerly called Luz (Gen. 28:19), on the border between Benjamin and Ephraim, and one of the most sacred spots in Israel. Here Abraham built his altar on his first arrival in Canaan (Gen. 12:8; 13:3); here Jacob had his dream, set up a pillar, and gave the place its name (28:19). It was a sanctuary in the days of Samuel (1 Sam. 7:16; 10:3). Jeroboam selected it as one of the places in which to set up the calf worship (1 Kgs. 12:29–32; 2 Kgs. 10:29; Amos 7:13). See also 1 Kgs. 13; 2 Kgs. 23:4, 15–30; Hosea 12:4.(2) Josh. 12:16; 1 Sam. 30:27.
Abr 2:20 And I, Abraham, arose from the place of the altar which I had built unto the Lord, and removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched my tent there, Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east; and there I built another altar unto the Lord, and called again upon the name of the Lord.
BD Gilgal A wheel or circle of stones. (1) The place near Jericho at which the Israelite camp was made on the first night after crossing the Jordan (Josh. 4:19; 5:10; 10). Here the 12 stones from the Jordan were set up as a monument to the parting of the Jordan River by the power of God. It was a sacred city in the time of Saul (1 Sam. 10:8; 11:14–15; 13:4, 15; 15:12–33); but later it was the scene of idolatrous worship (Hosea 4:15; 9:15; 12:11; Amos 4:4; 5:5). (2) A place near Bethel, visited by Elijah and Elisha (Deut. 11:30; 2 Kgs. 2:1). (3) Josh. 12:23.
BD Luz Almond tree. (1) The scene of Jacob’s dream, afterwards called Bethel (Gen. 28:19; 35:6; 48:3). (2) A city of the Hittites (Judg. 1:26), its position entirely unknown.