Among the more famous approaches taken in understanding the meaning behind Yaakov's mysterious dream of the ladder and angels is that of the Midrashic works Pirkei De-Rabbi Eliezer (35) and Midrash Tanchuma (Vayetze 2). According to this approach, the angels ascending and descending the ladder represent the powerful nations of the world that, throughout history, have risen to prominence and then ultimately declined. The significance of this vision, as the Ramban explains (though he himself suggests a different understanding of the dream), lies in God's promise to Yaakov that He will protect his descendants throughout their experiences among these fearsome nations. The Ramban adds that according to this approach, this vision beheld by Yaakov parallels the prophecy of berit bein ha-betarim, wherein Avraham was informed of his descendants' subjugation to foreign nations. In both these prophecies, God promises the patriarch that a great, successful nation will descend from him, but that this nation will have to endure periods of hardship and persecution along the road towards realizing their national destiny.
As Seforno briefly notes, this understanding of the dream sheds light on the word nitzav used by the Torah in describing the Almighty "standing" over Yaakov: "Behold, there was a ladder stationed in the ground, and behold, angels of God ascended and descended it; and behold, the Lord was standing over him…" (28:12-13). This term, nitzav, denotes not merely "standing," but standing firmly, resiliently and defiantly. For example, in Sefer Devarim (29:9), after Moshe describes the dreadful calamities that God threatened to bring upon the people should they disobey the Torah, he declares, "Atem nitzavim hayom" – "You stand here." As Rashi explains, Moshe sought to encourage the disheartened nation by reminding them that despite their having sinned against God in the wilderness, they have nevertheless survived and continue to "stand" as a large nation. Similarly, the Hebrew overseers in Egypt are described as "nitzavim" – "standing" – outside Pharaoh's palace to express their objection to Moshe and Aharon after their efforts had worsened the slaves' plight in Egypt (Shemot 5:20). They stood with a stubborn defiance, prepared to reject Moshe and Aharon as representatives of the Hebrew slaves.
Accordingly, the image of God nitzav – standing firmly – over Yaakov is intended to sharply contrast with the constant motion of the world powers. This dream demonstrates that nations come and go, the realities of the world continuously change, but the relationship between God and Am Yisrael remains constant. And this constancy is manifest in two ways, corresponding to the two directions of the ladder: from the nation towards God, and from God towards the nation. FromBenei Yisrael's perspective, we must retain our firm, unrelenting devotion to the Almighty regardless of who currently climbs the ladder, irrespective of which nation has risen to prominence and exerts its political and cultural influence on the rest of the world. And, in response, God guarantees Yaakov's descendants that His protection remains constant under all conditions, regardless of the viciousness and cruelty of the nations in power. Nations come and go, but Am Yisrael's devotion to God, and God's promise to shield His nation from harm, remain intact forever.