Lexical Summary enupnion: Dream Original Word: ἐνύπνιον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dream. From en and hupnos; something seen in sleep, i.e. A dream (vision in a dream) -- dream. see GREEK en see GREEK hupnos HELPS Word-studies 1798 enýpnion (from 1722 /en, "in the sphere of" and 5258 /hýpnos, "sleep") – properly, in sleep; a dream while asleep (used only in Ac 2:17). 1798 /enýpnion ("a dream") is an ideal time for the Lord to communicate in a way we easily block in the busyness of life. The Christian therefore should go to sleep prayerfully, open to communing with God all through the night to receive strength and illumination from Him. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and hupnos Definition a dream NASB Translation dreams (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1798: ἐνύπνιονἐνύπνιον, ἐνυπνίου, τό (ἐν and ὕπνος, what appears in sleep; from Aeschylus down), a dream (Latininsomnium), a vision which presents itself to one in sleep: Acts 2:17, on which passage see ἐνυπνιάζω. (the Sept. for חֲלום.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 1798, ἐνύπνιον, points to a divinely-given dream. It occurs once in the Greek New Testament, in Acts 2:17, where Peter quotes Joel’s prophecy concerning the outpouring of the Spirit. Although rare in the New Testament, the term gathers up a rich Old Testament theology of nocturnal revelation and situates it within the age of the Gospel. Old Testament Foundations of Revelatory Dreams • Genesis 20:3; Genesis 31:11; Genesis 37:5-11 – God communicates guidance and destiny through dreams to patriarchs and prophets. These passages teach that the Sovereign LORD chooses the timing, recipients, and content of dreams, and that such revelations never stand in isolation from His covenant purposes. Acts 2:17: Fulfilment in the Last Days Peter’s Pentecost sermon identifies the descent of the Spirit as the turning point anticipated by Joel. Quoting from the Septuagint he declares: “‘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) Key observations: 1. The plural “dream dreams” broadens the experience from singular prophets to multitudes (“all people”). Dreams in Apostolic Ministry after Pentecost Although ἐνύπνιον itself does not recur, the wider narrative records God’s nocturnal guidance: These passages illustrate the ongoing reality of supernatural direction while simultaneously showing that such experiences are subordinate to the apostolic message already grounded in Scripture. Historical Reflection Early Church writers (e.g., Justin Martyr, Irenaeus) cite Joel 2 as evidence of the Spirit’s continuing activity, yet consistently measure all dreams by apostolic doctrine. The patristic consensus warns against dreams that contradict the faith once for all delivered. Theological Significance 1. Continuity: Dreams link the eras of promise and fulfilment, demonstrating that the God of Abraham, Moses, and Joel is the same God who empowers the Church. Pastoral and Practical Considerations • Discernment: Believers are to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Any dream that contravenes scriptural teaching must be rejected. Summary ἐνύπνιον encapsulates the biblical theme of God speaking through dreams, reaches its climactic New Testament usage in Acts 2:17, and reminds the Church that the same Spirit who inspired Scripture continues to work sovereignly, yet always in harmony with the apostolic truth once delivered to the saints. Forms and Transliterations ενύπνια ενυπνιοις ενυπνίοις ἐνυπνίοις ενύπνιον ενύπνιόν ενυπνίου ενυπνίων ένυστρον enupniois enypniois enypníoisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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