Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, dreams hold significant spiritual and prophetic importance. Throughout the Scriptures, dreams are often depicted as a medium through which God communicates with individuals, revealing His will, providing guidance, or foretelling future events. The Bible presents numerous instances where dreams play a pivotal role in the unfolding of God's divine plan.
Old Testament1.
Joseph, Son of Jacob: One of the most notable dreamers in the Bible is Joseph, the son of Jacob. Joseph's dreams, which he shared with his brothers, foretold his future rise to power and the eventual bowing of his family before him. These dreams, found in
Genesis 37:5-11, were instrumental in the narrative of Joseph's life, leading to his eventual position as a ruler in Egypt. "Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more" (
Genesis 37:5).
2.
Pharaoh's Dreams: In
Genesis 41, Pharaoh's dreams of seven fat cows and seven lean cows, as well as seven healthy ears of grain and seven thin ears, were interpreted by Joseph. These dreams were prophetic, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Joseph's interpretation and subsequent actions saved Egypt and surrounding nations from starvation.
3.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dreams: The Book of Daniel records King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, which Daniel interprets. In
Daniel 2, the king dreams of a great statue made of various materials, symbolizing successive kingdoms. Daniel's interpretation reveals God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms. Another dream in
Daniel 4 involves a great tree, symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar's reign and his eventual humbling by God.
New Testament1.
Joseph, Husband of Mary: In the New Testament, dreams continue to serve as divine messages. Joseph, the husband of Mary, receives guidance through dreams on several occasions. In
Matthew 1:20, an angel appears to him in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife despite her miraculous pregnancy: "But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit'" (
Matthew 1:20).
2.
The Magi: The wise men, or Magi, are warned in a dream not to return to Herod after visiting the infant Jesus. This divine warning, found in
Matthew 2:12, ensures the safety of the Christ child: "And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route" (
Matthew 2:12).
3.
Pilate's Wife: In
Matthew 27:19, Pilate's wife experiences a troubling dream about Jesus, leading her to warn her husband against condemning Him: "While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: 'Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him'" (
Matthew 27:19).
Theological SignificanceDreams in the Bible are often seen as a means of divine revelation, a way for God to communicate His plans and purposes to humanity. They serve as a reminder of God's active involvement in the world and His ability to guide and direct the lives of individuals according to His will. Dreams can be both literal and symbolic, requiring discernment and, at times, interpretation by those gifted with understanding, as seen in the lives of Joseph and Daniel.
Warnings and CautionsWhile dreams can be a source of divine revelation, the Bible also warns against false dreams and false prophets. In
Deuteronomy 13:1-3, the Israelites are cautioned to test the authenticity of dreams and the messages they convey, ensuring they align with God's revealed truth. This underscores the importance of discernment and adherence to Scripture as the ultimate authority.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Dream.
Strong's Hebrew
5161. Nechelami -- descriptive title for a false prophet... Apparently a patronymic from an unused name (apparently passive participle of chalam);
dreamed; a Nechelamite, or descendant of Nechlam -- Nehelamite.
...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....
Library
You Allude to vigilantius. What Dream this is that You have...
... You allude to Vigilantius. What dream this is that you havedreamed about him I
do not know.... What dream this is that you havedreamed about him I do not know....
The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
... And Josephdreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated
him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you...
As to Your Charge of Perjury, Since You Refer Me to Your Book; and...
... You cannot say, It matters nothing to me what another mandreamed, for in those
most enlightening books of yours you tell us that this was the motive which led...
Joseph and his Brethren.
... Both had dreams which troubled them much, but Joseph was enabled by God to interpret
their dreams for them. By-and-by Pharaoh, the king,dreamed a dream....
The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
... There we read of Joseph (verse 9): "hedreamed yet another dream, and
told it to his brethren, and said, Behold! I havedreamed...
The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... He said one day: "Listen to this dream that I havedreamed. I... you?". Then,
a few days after, Joseph said, "I havedreamed again....
Joseph and his Brethren
... And Josephdreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren: and they hated
him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray...
Andromeda
... Idreamed what Idreamed of thy goodness;Dreamed of a smile in thy gleam, of a
laugh in the plash of thy ripple: False and devouring thou art, and the great...
Chapter xl
... 5-8. And both of themdreamed a dream, each man his own dream in one night, each
man a dream with its own particular meaning, the butler and the baker of the...
Chapter xxxvii
... 5-8. And Josephdreamed a dream and told it to his brethren with the result
that they hated him still more. For he said to them: Do...
Thesaurus
Dreamed (20 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Dream. Multi-Version Concordance
Dreamed (20 Occurrences).
... (YLT). Genesis 28:12 He
dreamed.
...Related (45 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:9 Hedreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said,
"Behold, I havedreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon...
Meaning (41 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:5 They bothdreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man
according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of...
Dreams (34 Occurrences)
... one. (See NAS). Genesis 42:9 Joseph remembered the dreams which hedreamed
about them, and said to them, "You are spies! You have...
Obeisance (45 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:9 And hedreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said,
Behold, I havedreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and...
Interpreter (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him,
We havedreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it....
Interpret (27 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:8 They said to him, "We havedreamed a dream, and there is no one who
can interpret it." Joseph said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God?...
Eleven (25 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:9 Hedreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said,
"Behold, I havedreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon...
Dream (82 Occurrences)
... Genesis 28:12 Hedreamed.... Genesis 37:5 Josephdreamed a dream, and he told
it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more....
Barley (35 Occurrences)
... Probably this is the meaning of the dream of the Midianite concerning Gideon: "Behold,
Idreamed a dream; and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp...
Resources
What are some biblical examples of dream interpretation? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible mention Alexander the Great? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Bethel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDreamed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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