Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and NatureIn the biblical context, visions are supernatural revelations given by God to individuals, often serving as a means of communication between the divine and human realms. These experiences can occur while the recipient is awake or in a dream-like state, and they often convey messages, guidance, or prophetic insight. Visions are distinct from dreams in that they are typically more vivid and are perceived as direct encounters with the divine.
Old Testament ExamplesVisions are prevalent throughout the Old Testament, serving as a critical method through which God communicates with His prophets and chosen individuals. One of the earliest examples is found in
Genesis 15:1, where God appears to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." This vision reassures Abram of God's protection and promises.
The prophet Isaiah also experienced visions, as noted in
Isaiah 1:1: "This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." Isaiah's visions often contained messages of judgment and hope for Israel.
Ezekiel's ministry is marked by a series of profound visions, beginning with his inaugural vision by the Kebar River, where he sees the glory of the Lord (
Ezekiel 1:1-28). These visions are characterized by vivid imagery and symbolic actions, conveying God's messages to the exiled Israelites.
New Testament ExamplesIn the New Testament, visions continue to play a significant role in the unfolding of God's plan. The apostle Peter receives a vision in
Acts 10:9-16, where a sheet containing various animals is lowered from heaven, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian community. This vision challenges Peter's understanding of Jewish dietary laws and signifies the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles.
The apostle Paul also experiences visions that guide his missionary work. In
Acts 16:9-10, Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, which leads him to bring the Gospel to Europe. Additionally, Paul recounts a vision of being caught up to the third heaven in
2 Corinthians 12:1-4, emphasizing the profound and sometimes ineffable nature of these divine encounters.
The Book of Revelation, attributed to the apostle John, is a series of apocalyptic visions that reveal the ultimate triumph of God over evil.
Revelation 1:1 describes it as "the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass." These visions are rich in symbolism and provide hope and encouragement to persecuted Christians.
Purpose and FunctionVisions in the Bible serve multiple purposes. They often provide guidance, as seen in the visions given to Paul and Peter, directing the early church's mission and outreach. They also serve as a means of revelation, unveiling divine mysteries and future events, as exemplified in the Book of Revelation.
Furthermore, visions can be a source of encouragement and reassurance, as in the case of Abram's vision in
Genesis 15. They affirm God's presence and promises, strengthening the faith of the recipient and the broader community.
Discernment and InterpretationThe Bible emphasizes the need for discernment in interpreting visions. Not all visions are from God, and the Scriptures warn against false prophets who claim to have divine visions (
Jeremiah 23:16). The authenticity of a vision is often confirmed by its alignment with God's revealed word and its fulfillment in history.
In the New Testament, the gift of discernment is highlighted as essential for understanding spiritual experiences (
1 Corinthians 12:10). The early church relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the counsel of mature believers to interpret visions and their implications for the community.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not provide a systematic theology of visions, it presents them as a legitimate and significant means of divine communication. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, visions play a crucial role in revealing God's will, guiding His people, and unfolding His redemptive plan for humanity.
Greek
3706. horasis -- the act of seeing, a vision, appearance... Word Origin from horao Definition the act of seeing, a vision, appearance NASB Word
Usage appearance (2), vision (1),
visions (1). sight, vision.
...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....
1797. enupniazomai -- to dream
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enupniazomai Phonetic Spelling: (en-oop-nee-ad'-
zom-ahee) Short Definition: I dream Definition: I dream (seevisions) in my...
3701. optasia -- an appearing
... context. See 3708 (). Word Origin from optazomai (to be seen) Definition an
appearing NASB Word Usage vision (3),visions (1). vision....
Strong's Hebrew
4238. Machazioth -- "visions," an Israelite... 4237, 4238. Machazioth. 4239 . "
visions," an Israelite. Transliteration:
Machazioth Phonetic Spelling: (makh-az-ee-oth') Short Definition: Mahazioth.
...2378. chazoth -- vision
... 2377, 2378. chazoth. 2379 . vision. Transliteration: chazoth Phonetic Spelling:
(khaw-zooth') Short Definition:visions. Word Origin...
2376. chezu -- vision, appearance
... 2375, 2376. chezu. 2377 . vision, appearance. Transliteration: chezu Phonetic
Spelling: (khay'-zev) Short Definition:visions. Word...
7203b. roeh -- (prophetic) vision
... (prophetic) vision. Transliteration: roeh Short Definition:visions. Word Origin
from raah Definition (prophetic) vision NASB Word Usagevisions (1)....
2372. chazah -- see, behold
... root Definition see, behold NASB Word Usage behold (7), envisioned invisions (1),
gaze (2), gloat (1), look (3), looked (1), prophesy (3), saw (7), see (12...
4759a. marah -- vision
... vision. Transliteration: marah Short Definition: vision. Word Origin from raah
Definition vision NASB Word Usage vision (6),visions (5). 4759, 4759a....
7723. shav -- emptiness, vanity
... word Definition emptiness, vanity NASB Word Usage deceit (2), deceitful (1), deception
(1), emptiness (2), empty (1), false (9), falsevisions (4), falsehood (7...
7200. raah -- to see
... regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self),
X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X surely, X think, view,visions....
2384. chizzayon -- vision
... Word Origin from chazah Definition vision NASB Word Usage vision (6),visions (3).
vision. From chazah; a revelation, expectation by dream -- vision....
2377. chazon -- vision
... Short Definition: vision. Word Origin from chazah Definition vision NASB
Word Usage vision (31),visions (4). vision. From chazah; a...
Library
Reflections on thevisions.
... CHAPTER XXVIII. Reflections on theVisions. Whenever, during my meditations
on the Passion of our Lord, I imagine I hear that frightful...
Interruption of thevisions of the Passion by the Appearance of St...
... CHAPTER XXIV. Interruption of theVisions of the Passion by the Appearance
of St. Joseph under the form of a Child. During the whole...
The Trials andvisions of Devout Youth
... GENESIS THE TRIALS ANDVISIONS OF DEVOUT YOUTH. 'And Jacob... heart. Youthful
visions of coming greatness are often best discouraged. The...
May the Twenty-Fifthvisions and Dreams
... MAY The Twenty-fifthVISIONS AND DREAMS. JOEL ii.21-32. And... And so in my
younger days holy inspiration will give mevisions. "Your...
Visions of Future Glory
... Light at Eventide Chapter 60Visions of Future Glory. In the darkest days
of her long conflict with evil, the church of God has been...
Visions of the Sacred Humanity, and of the Glorified Bodies....
... Chapter XXVIII.Visions of the Sacred Humanity, and of the Glorified Bodies.
ImaginaryVisions. Great Fruits Thereof When They Come from God....
Visions, Revelations, and Locutions.
... Chapter XL.Visions, Revelations, and Locutions. 1. One day, in prayer, the
sweetness of which was so great that, knowing how unworthy...
Diversity of Dreams andvisions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them...
... Chapter XLVI."Diversity of Dreams andVisions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them,
Though Generally Most Highly Valued. Instances of Dreams....
Like Dreams, Moreover, are Also Somevisions of Persons Awake...
... 14. Like dreams, moreover, are also somevisions of persons awake? 14.
Like dreams, moreover, are also somevisions of persons...
Ofvisions. The Graces Our Lord Bestowed on the Saint. The Answers...
... Chapter XXIX. OfVisions. The Graces Our Lord Bestowed on the Saint. The
Answers Our Lord Gave Her for Those Who Tried Her. 1. I...
Thesaurus
Visions (43 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Visions (43 Occurrences).
... Your sons and your daughters
will prophesy. Your young men will see
visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
...Night-visions (2 Occurrences)
Night-visions. Night-vision, Night-visions. Nightwatch . Multi-Version
Concordance Night-visions (2 Occurrences). Daniel...
Dreams (34 Occurrences)
... Your young men will seevisions. Your old men will dream dreams.... Job 4:13 In thoughts
from thevisions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, (See NIV)....
Four (3139 Occurrences)
... seen by Job (Job 42:16). (2) "Four" is frequent in propheticvisions: Daniel
saw "four. beasts" arise, representing four kings (7...
Dreamer (4 Occurrences)
... Others are hallucinations, trances,visions, etc. Dreams are abnormal and sometimes
pathological.... The prophet must be a seer, a man ofvisions and ideals....
Vision (106 Occurrences)
... than by the ordinary sight, or the rational eye; a supernatural, prophetic, or
imaginary sight; an apparition; a phantom; a specter; as, thevisions of Isaiah....
Kebar (8 Occurrences)
... in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives
by the river of Kebar, that the heavens were opened, and I sawvisions of God....
Living (3112 Occurrences)
... CREATURE, LIVING. (chayyah; zoon): "Living creature" (chayyah) is the designation
of each of the composite figures in Ezekiel'svisions (Ezekiel 1:5, 13...
Iddo (14 Occurrences)
... or `iddo, "decked," "adorned"): Seer (chozeh) and prophet (nabhi), the Chronicler's
"source" for the reign of Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:29): "Thevisions of Iddo...
Mahazioth (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryVisions, a Kohathite Levite, chief of the twenty-third
course of musicians (1 Chronicles 25:4, 30). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Resources
Does God still give visions to people today? | GotQuestions.orgHow did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs God giving people in closed countries dreams and visions to bring them to faith in Christ? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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