Dreaming, as depicted in the Bible, is a significant means through which God communicates with individuals. Dreams are often portrayed as divine messages, warnings, or revelations, and they play a crucial role in the unfolding of biblical narratives. The Bible presents dreams as a medium through which God reveals His will, provides guidance, and unveils future events.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, dreams are frequently used by God to communicate with His people. One of the most notable dreamers 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 (Genesis 37:5-11). These dreams set the stage for the events that would lead to Joseph's position in Egypt and the preservation of his family during famine.

Pharaoh's dreams, interpreted by Joseph, are another significant example. Pharaoh dreamed of seven fat cows being devoured by seven lean cows and seven healthy ears of grain being consumed by seven thin ears. Joseph, endowed with the ability to interpret dreams, explained that these dreams were a divine revelation of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:1-32). This interpretation led to the preparation that saved Egypt and surrounding nations from starvation.

The prophet Daniel also had a profound relationship with dreams. He interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, which revealed God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and foretold future empires (Daniel 2:1-45). Daniel's own visions and dreams, recorded in the latter part of the book, provide apocalyptic insights into God's ultimate plan for history (Daniel 7-12).

New Testament

In the New Testament, dreams continue to serve as a divine communication tool. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, received guidance through dreams on several occasions. An angel appeared to him in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21). Later, he was warned in a dream to flee to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from King Herod's massacre (Matthew 2:13).

The Magi, or wise men, were also warned in a dream not to return to Herod after visiting the newborn Jesus, prompting them to take a different route home (Matthew 2:12). These dreams played a crucial role in safeguarding the early life of Jesus and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.

Theological Significance

Dreams in the Bible are often seen as a means of divine revelation, emphasizing God's active involvement in human affairs. They demonstrate God's sovereignty and His ability to communicate His will to individuals, regardless of their status or background. Dreams can serve as a source of encouragement, warning, or instruction, and they often require interpretation by those with spiritual insight.

The Bible also warns against false dreams and false prophets who claim divine revelation without God's endorsement (Jeremiah 23:25-32). Discernment is necessary to distinguish between true divine messages and deceptive or self-originated dreams.

Conclusion

Dreams in the biblical context are a profound testament to God's desire to guide and communicate with His people. They serve as a reminder of His omnipotence and His intimate involvement in the lives of individuals and nations. Through dreams, God reveals His plans, provides direction, and assures His people of His presence and purpose.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dream.1797. enupniazomai -- to dream
... [Jude 8 uses 1797 () in connection with the kind of dreaming. ... Word Origin from enupnion
Definition to dream NASB Word Usage dream (1), dreaming (1). dreamer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1797.htm - 7k

On Dreaming.
... IV. CREATION. Hymn 98 On dreaming. John Newton 8,8,8,8. On dreaming. When
slumber seals our weary eyes,. The busy fancy wakeful keeps; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 98 on dreaming.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

Chapter xli
... 1-4. And it happened at the expiration of two years that Pharaoh was dreaming, and,
lo, he was standing by the side of the Nile; and, lo, from the Nile there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xli.htm

No Soul Naturally Exempt from Dreams.
... of dreams; and from this circumstance may have arisen the remarkable fact (which
we have mentioned [1781] ) of Nero and Thrasymedes only dreaming so late in ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xlix no soul naturally exempt.htm

"He is More Honored than Jupiter These Days," the Philosopher was ...
... "And what have you been doing?" the former inquired, presently. "Only dreaming.".
"Of what?". ... "You have, indeed, been dreaming," said the other. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 3 he is more.htm

As to Your Charge of Perjury, Since You Refer Me to Your Book; and ...
... Is it supposed that we knew what plans you were meditating in your heart? or what
another man had been dreaming? ... or what another man had been dreaming? ...
/.../32 as to your charge.htm

The Next Night Diamond was Seated by his Open Window...
... "What a lot of dreams they must be dreaming!" said Diamond. "Yes," returned
North Wind. "They can't surely be all lies"-can they?". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 37 the next night.htm

The Story of Joseph
... (For he thought if he could persuade them to do this he would come back and save
Joseph when the others had gone.) Never dreaming of evil, Joseph came on, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

Diamond and his Mother Sat Down Upon the Edge of the Rough Grass ...
... He was, however, as I have said, very sleepy. and when he thought he understood
the verses he may have been only dreaming better ones. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 13 diamond and his.htm

A Voice from the Hartley Colliery
... is appropriate to the occasion, but God alone knoweth how applicable the discourse
may be to some here present; yes, to young hearts little dreaming that there ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a voice from the hartley.htm

Dreaming (4 Occurrences)
...Dreaming (4 Occurrences). Jude 1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreaming
defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings. ...
/d/dreaming.htm - 7k

Quenched (22 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 29:8 And it will be like a man desiring food, and dreaming that he is feasting;
but when he is awake there is nothing in his mouth: or like a man in ...
/q/quenched.htm - 14k

Vision (106 Occurrences)
... Naturally then, his dreaming is predominantly visual; so strongly visual, we are
told, that it is not rare to find dreams defined as "trains of fantastic images ...
/v/vision.htm - 45k

Unquenched (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 29:8 And it will be like a man desiring food, and dreaming that he is feasting;
but when he is awake there is nothing in his mouth: or like a man in ...
/u/unquenched.htm - 6k

Hordes (24 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 29:8 And it will be like a man desiring food, and dreaming that he is feasting;
but when he is awake there is nothing in his mouth: or like a man in ...
/h/hordes.htm - 14k

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)
... Joseph was the youngest and most beloved son of Jacob. He was just in the
prime of adolescence, the very period of day dreaming. ...
/d/dreamer.htm - 18k

Feasting (39 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 29:8 And it will be like a man desiring food, and dreaming that he is feasting;
but when he is awake there is nothing in his mouth: or like a man in ...
/f/feasting.htm - 19k

Dreameth (6 Occurrences)

/d/dreameth.htm - 8k

Dream (82 Occurrences)
... Joseph was the youngest and most beloved son of Jacob. He was just in the
prime of adolescence, the very period of day dreaming. ...
/d/dream.htm - 47k

Reject (56 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Jude 1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreaming defile the flesh,
despise authority, and slander celestial beings. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/reject.htm - 21k

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