Lexical Summary enupniazomai: To dream Original Word: ἐνυπνιάζομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dreamer. Middle voice from enupnion; to dream -- dream(-er). see GREEK enupnion HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1797 enypniázomai (from 1798 /enýpnion, "dream") – to dream while asleep; (figuratively) a "day-dream" in which the believer contemplates (meditates). See 1798 (enypnion). [Jude 8 uses 1797 (enypniázomai) in connection with the wrong kind of dreaming. This hoping (desiring) opposes God's kingdom – and then expects such personal aspirations to be granted by Him! This shows someone is completely out of touch with the principles of God's kingdom (see also Mt 6:33).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom enupnion Definition to dream NASB Translation dream (1), dreaming (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1797: ἐνυπνιάζωἐνυπνιάζω (ἐνύπνιον, which see): to dream (Aristotle, h. an. 4, 10, etc.), and deponent ἐνυπνιάζομαι (Hippocrates, Plutarch, Brut c. 24); so always in the Bible, for חָלַם, with future passive ἐνυπνιασθήσομαι, and common with aorist passive ἐνυπνιάσθην, more rarely middle ἐνυπνιασάμην (Genesis 37:9; Judges 7:13); ἐνύπνια ἐνυπνιάζεσθαι (in the Sept. for חְלומות חָלַם), to dream (divinely suggested) dreams: Acts 2:17 from Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope Strong’s Greek 1797 designates the act of receiving revelatory dreams or being characterized as a “dreamer.” Scripture presents two sharply contrasting contexts: divinely granted dreams that advance God’s redemptive purposes, and self-generated dreams that undermine truth and holiness. Old Testament Foundations From the beginning God employed dreams to guide His covenant people—Abraham (Genesis 15:12-18), Jacob (Genesis 28:12-15), Joseph (Genesis 37:5-11), and Daniel (Daniel 2:19). Joel 2:28 promised an eschatological outpouring in which “your old men will dream dreams,” establishing dreams as a legitimate prophetic channel when sourced in the Spirit of God. Prophetic Fulfillment in Acts Peter declares the Joel prophecy fulfilled at Pentecost: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people; your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17). Here 1797 underscores the Spirit’s unrestricted distribution of revelatory gifts across gender, age, and social status. Dreams stand alongside prophecy and visions as evidence that the promised New-Covenant age has dawned. Warning against False Dreamers Jude exposes a counterfeit manifestation: “Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings” (Jude 1:8). The participle highlights individuals whose authority derives not from Scripture or the apostolic witness but from subjective imaginations. Their dreams lead to moral license, doctrinal rebellion, and blasphemy. Jude thus provides a divinely inspired litmus test: revelatory claims must align with apostolic truth and produce holiness. Theological Implications 1. Continuity of Revelation: True dreams harmonize with written Scripture; the God who once spoke through Joseph and Daniel now speaks consistently through the risen Christ’s Spirit. Historical Reception in the Church Early church fathers like Justin Martyr saw Acts 2:17 as proof of the Spirit’s ongoing ministry, while also cautioning—echoing Jude—against Montanist excesses. Reformation leaders affirmed the sufficiency of Scripture over “enthusiasts” who elevated private revelations. Evangelical awakenings recognized legitimate Spirit-given dreams yet tested them by biblical fidelity. Guidance for Contemporary Ministry • Encourage believers to remain open to Spirit-initiated dreams that glorify Christ and advance the gospel. Key References Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28; Genesis 15:12-18; Genesis 37:5-11; Daniel 2:19; Jude 1:8; 2 Peter 1:19-21. Forms and Transliterations ενυπνιάζεσθε ενυπνιάζεται ενυπνιαζομενοι ενυπνιαζόμενοι ἐνυπνιαζόμενοι ενυπνιαζόμενος ενυπνιαζομένου ενυπνιαζομένων ενυπνιασάμην ενύπνιασαμην ενυπνιασθείς ενυπνιάσθη ενυπνιάσθην ενυπνιάσθης ενυπνιασθησονται ενυπνιασθήσονται ἐνυπνιασθήσονται ενυπνιαστής ηνυπνιασάμην enupniasthesontai enupniasthēsontai enupniazomenoi enypniasthesontai enypniasthēsontai enypniasthḗsontai enypniazomenoi enypniazómenoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 2:17 V-FIP-3PGRK: ὑμῶν ἐνυπνίοις ἐνυπνιασθήσονται NAS: AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; KJV: old men shall dream dreams: INT: of you dreams will dream Jude 1:8 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 1797 |
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