Topical Bible: Dreams

Jump to: Smith's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, dreams are often seen as a means through which God communicates with individuals. Throughout the Scriptures, dreams serve as a vehicle for divine revelation, guidance, and prophecy. The Bible presents numerous instances where dreams play a pivotal role in the unfolding of God's plan.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, dreams are frequently depicted as a method by which God imparts wisdom and direction. 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 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, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.

The Book of Daniel also highlights the significance of dreams. Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, revealing God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a great statue, which Daniel interprets as a succession of empires, culminating in God's eternal kingdom.

New Testament

In the New Testament, dreams continue to serve as a means of divine communication. In the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, receives guidance through dreams. In Matthew 1:20, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Later, in Matthew 2:13, Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape King Herod's massacre.

The Magi, or wise men, are also warned in a dream not to return to Herod after visiting the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:12). These instances underscore the protective and guiding role of dreams in the early life of Jesus.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, dreams in the Bible are often seen as a form of divine revelation. They are a testament to God's active involvement in human affairs and His desire to communicate with His people. Dreams can serve as a source of encouragement, warning, or instruction, and they often require interpretation to understand their full meaning.

The Bible also cautions against false dreams and false prophets. In Deuteronomy 13:1-3, the Israelites are warned not to follow prophets or dreamers who lead them away from God, even if their signs or wonders come to pass. This highlights the importance of discernment and alignment with God's revealed Word.

Conclusion

While the Bible presents dreams as a legitimate means of divine communication, it also emphasizes the need for discernment and alignment with Scripture. Dreams should be tested against the truth of God's Word, and believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer and the Holy Spirit.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Dreams

The Scripture declares that the influence of the Spirit of God upon the soul extends to its sleeping as well as its waking thoughts. But, in accordance with the principle enunciated by St. Paul in (1 Corinthians 14:15) dreams, in which the understanding is asleep, are placed below the visions of prophecy, in which the understanding plays its part. Under the Christian dispensation, while we read frequently of trances and vision, dreams are never referred to as vehicles of divine revelation. In exact accordance with this principle are the actual records of the dreams sent by God. The greater number of such dreams were granted, for prediction or for warning, to those who were aliens to the Jewish covenant. And where dreams are recorded as means of God's revelation to his chosen servants, they are almost always referred to the periods of their earliest and most imperfect knowledge of him. Among the Jews, "if any person dreamed a dream which was peculiarly striking and significant, he was permitted to go to the high priest in a peculiar way, and see if it had any special import. But the observance of ordinary dreams and the consulting of those who pretend to skill in their interpretation are repeatedly forbidden. (13:1-5; 18:9-14) --Schaff.

Greek

1798. enupnion -- a dream
... and illumination from Him. Word Origin from en and hupnos Definition a dream
NASB Word Usage dreams (1). dream. From en and hupnos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1798.htm - 7k

4187. polutropos -- in many ways
... This includes revealing Himself in the OT when speaking through (in) the Hebrew
prophets in dreams, visions, etc. It is used only in Heb 1:1. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4187.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

2493. chelem -- a dream
... Definition: dream. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to chalom Definition a
dream NASB Word Usage dream (21), dreams (1). dream. (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/2493.htm - 6k

2472. chalom -- a dream
... dream. Word Origin from chalam Definition a dream NASB Word Usage dream
(41), dreamer* (1), dreamers (1), dreams (22). dreamer. Or ...
/hebrew/2472.htm - 6k

2492b. chalam -- to dream
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to dream NASB Word Usage dream (3), dreamed
(2), dreamer (3), dreams (2), had (13), had a dream (4). 2492a, 2492b. ...
/hebrew/2492b.htm - 5k

Library

The Land of Dreams
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THE LAND OF DREAMS. "Awake, awake, my little
boy! ... thy father does thee keep." ""O what land is the Land of Dreams? ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the land of dreams.htm

Whether Divination by Dreams is Unlawful?
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination by dreams is
unlawful? Objection 1: It would seem that divination by dreams is not unlawful. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by dreams is.htm

Causes and Circumstances of Dreams what Best Contributes to ...
... Chapter XLVIII."Causes and Circumstances of Dreams What Best Contributes
to Efficient Dreaming. They say that dreams are more ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xlviii causes and circumstances of.htm

May the Twenty-Fifth visions and Dreams
... MAY The Twenty-fifth VISIONS AND DREAMS. JOEL ii.21-32. And this ... And in my
later days holy inspiration will give me dreams. "Your old ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/may the twenty-fifth visions and.htm

Dreams, an Incidental Effect of the Soul's Activity. Ecstasy.
... Chapter XLV."Dreams, an Incidental Effect of the Soul's Activity. Ecstasy.
We are bound to expound at this point what is the opinion ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xlv dreams an incidental effect.htm

Diversity of Dreams and visions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them ...
... Chapter XLVI."Diversity of Dreams and Visions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them,
Though Generally Most Highly Valued. Instances of Dreams. ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xlvi diversity of dreams and.htm

Dreams Variously Classified Some are God-Sent, as the Dreams of ...
... Chapter XLVII."Dreams Variously Classified Some are God-Sent, as the Dreams
of Nebuchadnezzar; Others Simply Products of Nature. ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xlvii dreams variously classified some.htm

No Soul Naturally Exempt from Dreams.
... Chapter XLIX."No Soul Naturally Exempt from Dreams. As for those persons
who suppose that infants do not dream, on the ground ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xlix no soul naturally exempt.htm

Of the Perverse Images of Dreams, which He Wishes to have Taken ...
... Book X. Chapter XXX."Of the Perverse Images of Dreams, Which He Wishes
to Have Taken Away. 41. Verily, Thou commandest that I ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxx of the perverse images.htm

The Evidence from Dreams Discussed.
... Chapter XV."The Evidence from Dreams Discussed. ... For it seems to me impossible that
impious men should receive dreams from God in any way whatever.". ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xv the evidence from dreams.htm

Thesaurus

Dreams (34 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dreams (34 Occurrences). ... Your sons and your daughters will
prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. ...
/d/dreams.htm - 17k

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who dreams. 2. (n.) A visionary; one
lost in wild imaginations or vain schemes of some anticipated ...
/d/dreamer.htm - 18k

Dreamed (20 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT). Genesis 42:9 Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about
them, and said to them, "You are spies! You have come ...
/d/dreamed.htm - 12k

Divination (25 Occurrences)
... 10). (2.) There was divination by dreams (Genesis 20:6; Deuteronomy 13:1,
3; Judges 7:13, 15; Matthew 1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22). This ...
/d/divination.htm - 45k

Dreamt (6 Occurrences)
... interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong
to God? tell me your dreams, I pray you. (DBY). Genesis 41 ...
/d/dreamt.htm - 8k

Diviners (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 27:9 But as for you, don't you listen to your prophets, nor to your diviners,
nor to your dreams, nor to your soothsayers, nor to your sorcerers, who ...
/d/diviners.htm - 11k

Interpret (27 Occurrences)
... to language, but also to dreams, signs, conduct, mysteries, etc.; as, to interpret
the Hebrew language to an Englishman; to interpret an Indian speech. ...
/i/interpret.htm - 15k

Visions (43 Occurrences)
... Your old men will dream dreams. ... Job 7:14 then you scare me with dreams, and terrify
me through visions: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/v/visions.htm - 20k

Augury (5 Occurrences)
... See further Genesis 24:12-19 2 Kings 20:9. 5. Dreams: Dreams are very commonly
mentioned in the Bible as a means of forecasting the future. ...
/a/augury.htm - 17k

Recount (39 Occurrences)
... 12 And there 'is' with us a youth, a Hebrew, servant to the chief of the executioners,
and we recount to him, and he interpreteth to us our dreams, 'to' each ...
/r/recount.htm - 17k

Resources

What are prophetic dreams? Does God give prophetic dreams to people today? | GotQuestions.org

How did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is God giving people in closed countries dreams and visions to bring them to faith in Christ? | GotQuestions.org

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

Concordance

Dreams (34 Occurrences)

Acts 2:17
'It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 37:8
His brothers said to him, "Will you indeed reign over us? Or will you indeed have dominion over us?" They hated him all the more for his dreams and for his words.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Genesis 37:19
And they say one unto another, 'Lo, this man of the dreams cometh;
(YLT)

Genesis 37:20
Come now therefore, and let's kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say,'An evil animal has devoured him.' We will see what will become of his dreams."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 40:5
And these two had a dream on the same night; the chief wine-servant and the chief bread-maker of the king of Egypt, who were in prison, the two of them had dreams with a special sense.
(BBE)

Genesis 40:8
Then they said to him, We have had a dream, and no one is able to give us the sense. And Joseph said, Does not the sense of dreams come from God? what was your dream?
(BBE DBY RSV NIV)

Genesis 41:8
It happened in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt's magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Genesis 41:11
And we had a dream on the same night, the two of us, and the dreams had a special sense.
(BBE)

Genesis 41:12
There was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams. To each man according to his dream he interpreted.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 41:25
Then Joseph said, These two dreams have the same sense: God has made clear to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
(BBE NAS NIV)

Genesis 41:26
The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
(See NAS)

Genesis 42:9
Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 12:6
And He said: 'Hear now My words: if there be a prophet among you, I the LORD do make Myself known unto him in a vision, I do speak with him in a dream.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 13:1
If there arise in the midst of you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give you a sign or a wonder,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 13:3
you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams: for Yahweh your God proves you, to know whether you love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 13:5
That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which Yahweh your God commanded you to walk in. So you shall put away the evil from the midst of you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 28:6
When Saul inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn't answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 28:15
Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?" Saul answered, "I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 4:13
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,
(See NIV)

Job 6:6
Eaten is an insipid thing without salt? Is there sense in the drivel of dreams?
(YLT)

Job 7:14
then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ecclesiastes 5:7
For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 29:8
It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn't satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and behold, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 23:27
who think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgot my name for Baal.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 23:32
Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says Yahweh, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I didn't send them, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, says Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 27:9
But as for you, don't you listen to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreams, nor to your soothsayers, nor to your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, You shall not serve the king of Babylon:
(WEB JPS ASV NIV)

Jeremiah 29:8
For thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: Don't let your prophets who are in the midst of you, and your diviners, deceive you; neither listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 1:17
Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 2:1
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep went from him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 2:2
Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the enchanters, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven, the unveiler of secrets, and he has given to King Nebuchadnezzar knowledge of what will take place in the last days. Your dreams and the visions of your head on your bed are these:
(BBE)

Daniel 5:12
because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joel 2:28
"It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zechariah 10:2
For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Dreams

Dreams: Enemies of the Church

Dreams: Excess of Business Frequently Leads To

Dreams: False Prophets: Condemned for Pretending To

Dreams: False Prophets: Not to be Regarded In

Dreams: False Prophets: Pretended To

Dreams: God the Only Interpreter of

Dreams: God's Will often Revealed In

Dreams: Impure Imaginations

Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Abimelech

Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Daniel