Topical Bible: Dream of Joseph, Concerning the Sheaves

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Topical Encyclopedia

The dream of Joseph concerning the sheaves is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 37:5-8. This dream is one of two prophetic dreams experienced by Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel. Joseph's dreams play a crucial role in the narrative of his life and the unfolding of God's plan for the nation of Israel.

Biblical Account

In Genesis 37:5-8 , the account of Joseph's dream is as follows:

"Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, 'Please listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf.' His brothers said to him, 'Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?' So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements."

Interpretation and Significance

The dream of the sheaves is symbolic and prophetic, foreshadowing the future events in Joseph's life and the destiny of his family. In the dream, the sheaves represent Joseph and his brothers. Joseph's sheaf standing upright while his brothers' sheaves bow down signifies his future rise to a position of authority and the eventual submission of his brothers to him.

This dream, along with a subsequent dream involving the sun, moon, and stars, serves as a divine revelation of Joseph's future role as a leader and savior of his family during a time of famine. The dreams are a testament to God's sovereign plan and His ability to communicate His purposes through visions.

Reaction of Joseph's Brothers

Joseph's brothers reacted with jealousy and animosity upon hearing the dream. Their response, as recorded in Genesis 37:8, reveals their understanding of the dream's implications—that Joseph would one day rule over them. This interpretation fueled their hatred and resentment, leading to their eventual betrayal of Joseph by selling him into slavery.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, Joseph's dream concerning the sheaves underscores the theme of divine providence and the fulfillment of God's promises. Despite the immediate negative reaction and the subsequent trials Joseph faced, the dream ultimately came to fruition when Joseph rose to power in Egypt and his brothers came to him for aid during the famine (Genesis 42:6).

The dream also highlights the concept of God's chosen instruments. Joseph, though initially despised and rejected by his brothers, was chosen by God to preserve the family line through which the Messiah would eventually come. This narrative echoes the broader biblical theme of God using unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, dreams were often regarded as significant means of divine communication. The imagery of sheaves would have been familiar to Joseph and his brothers, as agriculture was a central aspect of their livelihood. The act of binding sheaves and the subsequent bowing of the sheaves in the dream would have been understood as a metaphor for authority and submission.

Joseph's dreams, including the one concerning the sheaves, are integral to the Genesis narrative, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the history of Israel.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 37:5-10
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brothers: and they hated him yet the more.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Joseph and his Brethren
... And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice ... to another, We are verily guilty
concerning our brother ... And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Chapter xxxvii
... For binding sheaves is work that stands far removed ... Besides, it is not a prophetic
dream such as ... The Lord was not informing Joseph concerning things that would ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvii.htm

Joseph --The Savior of his People.
... "We are verily guilty concerning our brother ... Jacob lived in peace, and were cared
for by Joseph, just as the Lord had promised Jacob, when in a dream he saw ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii josephthe savior of.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... Now this in Israel did a custom stand, Concerning changing and redeeming land; To ...
That the interpretation was so good, He told his dream to Joseph too, and ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Praise to Thee from Every Mouth on this Day of Thy Birth!
... laboured and paid"the debts of the sons of Joseph. ... sleep became a mirror, and a dream
rose on ... Prophets declared concerning His Birth, but they made not plain ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvii praise to thee.htm

The Covenant of Works
... Concerning the first covenant, consider these four things ... all the creation did obeisance
to him, as in Joseph's dream all his brethren's sheaves bowed to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the covenant of works.htm

A Canticle of Love
... Joseph of Avila, and shortly afterwards became the ... Fulfill my dream, O Jesus, since
I sigh Of ... that had been said at recreation, concerning the responsibility ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... for though I formerly foolishly imagined, concerning the troubles ... She told me also
a dream that she had ... come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... JOSEPH ANGUS ministered with considerable success. ... bearing precious seed, shall find
even to the hoariest age, that he will return bringing his sheaves with him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm