Dreamings, or dreams, hold a significant place in the biblical narrative, serving as a means through which God communicates with His people. Throughout Scripture, dreams are depicted as divine messages, warnings, or revelations, often requiring interpretation by those gifted with understanding.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, dreams are frequently used by God to reveal His plans and purposes. One of the earliest examples is found in the account of Jacob. In Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. This dream signifies God's covenant with Jacob and His promise to bless him and his descendants.

Joseph, the son of Jacob, is another prominent figure associated with dreams. In Genesis 37:5-10, Joseph dreams of his brothers' sheaves bowing down to his sheaf and the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing to him. These dreams foreshadow his future rise to power in Egypt and the eventual reconciliation with his family. Joseph's ability to interpret dreams is further demonstrated in Genesis 41, where he interprets Pharaoh's dreams of seven fat and seven lean cows, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.

The Book of Daniel also highlights the significance of dreams. King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams in Daniel 2 and 4 are interpreted by Daniel, revealing God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and His future plans. Daniel 2:19 states, "During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven."

New Testament

In the New Testament, dreams continue to serve as a medium for divine communication. The Gospel of Matthew records several instances where dreams play a crucial role in the life of Jesus and His earthly parents. In Matthew 1:20, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him not to fear taking Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Similarly, in Matthew 2:13, Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape Herod's massacre.

The Apostle Paul also experiences divine guidance through dreams. In Acts 16:9, Paul receives a vision in the night of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, leading to the spread of the Gospel in Europe.

Interpretation and Discernment

While dreams in the Bible often convey divine messages, the interpretation of dreams requires discernment and wisdom. In Deuteronomy 13:1-3, the Israelites are cautioned against false prophets who may use dreams to lead them astray. The authenticity of a dream's message is measured against God's revealed Word and His commandments.

The Bible acknowledges that not all dreams are from God. Ecclesiastes 5:3 notes, "For a dream comes through many cares, and a fool’s voice through many words." This suggests that some dreams may arise from the multitude of daily concerns and anxieties rather than divine inspiration.

Conclusion

Dreamings in the Bible serve as a profound means of divine communication, revealing God's will, providing guidance, and foretelling future events. They underscore the importance of seeking God's wisdom and discernment in understanding and interpreting the messages conveyed through dreams.

The Shepherd's Voice
... And therefore, O my God, with full assurance. I hear, and I rejoice; The heart of
Christ, beyond men's thoughts and dreamings,. Told in His voice. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/the shepherds voice.htm

The Diverse Forms of Spiritual Sickness.
... not doing this, but by reason of great want of attention are nodding in resolution
and are drowsy in their reflections, such as "in their dreamings defile the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/24 the diverse forms of.htm

But this Crime is not Enough: the Persons of the Most Sacred Gods ...
... which are mixed up libels upon the gods and slanderous sayings; and when [4266]
you wish your inactive minds to be occupied with useless dreamings, demand that ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/36 but this crime is.htm

The Canons of the Council in Trullo. (Labbe and Cossart, Concilia ...
... myths, and brought back again the circlings of certain bodies and souls, and deranged
turnings [or transmigrations] to the wanderings or dreamings of their ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the canons of the council 3.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse Shewn by Its Structure
... us not one of the many Apocalyptic writings which have been put forth at various
times by men, which are for the most part unintelligible dreamings; [59] but ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the scope of the apocalypse 2.htm

Dreamings (1 Occurrence)
...Dreamings (1 Occurrence). Jude 1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings
defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities. ...
/d/dreamings.htm - 6k

Dreams (34 Occurrences)

/d/dreams.htm - 17k

Rail (8 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh,
and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities. (ASV DBY). ...
/r/rail.htm - 11k

Defilement (12 Occurrences)
... and not to the people of God, opposite of katharos, "clean," used 13 times; miaino,
miasma, miasmos, "stain," "tinge," "dye": "In their dreamings defile the ...
/d/defilement.htm - 21k

Defile (63 Occurrences)
... and not to the people of God, opposite of katharos, "clean," used 13 times; miaino,
miasma, miasmos, "stain," "tinge," "dye": "In their dreamings defile the ...
/d/defile.htm - 38k

Dreaming (4 Occurrences)

/d/dreaming.htm - 7k

Nought (104 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh,
and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities. (ASV). ...
/n/nought.htm - 38k

Jude (4 Occurrences)
... 3. Censorious and Arrogant Detractors. "In their dreamings defile the flesh, and
set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities" (Jude 1:8). Destitute of true ...
/j/jude.htm - 40k

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

/e/epistle.htm - 101k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus