Dream
Summary
A series of mental images occurring during sleep, through which God sometimes communicated His will to people in biblical times.
☩Divine Communication
Scripture records numerous instances where God communicated through dreams. Jacob saw the ladder reaching to heaven at Bethel. Joseph received dreams foretelling his future exaltation over his brothers. God spoke to both Abimelech and Laban in dreams, warning them concerning His servants. The distinction between ordinary dreams and divine revelation lay in their clarity, coherence, and subsequent fulfillment.
☩Dreams Requiring Interpretation
Some divine dreams came in symbolic form requiring interpretation. Pharaoh's dreams of fat and lean cattle, Joseph's dreams of sheaves and stars, Nebuchadnezzar's image and tree—all required God-given wisdom to understand. Joseph declared 'Do not interpretations belong to God?' and Daniel acknowledged that only 'the God of heaven' reveals mysteries. False interpretations by magicians and enchanters consistently failed where God's servants succeeded.
☩Warnings and Limitations
Not all dreams are divine; many arise from earthly cares and concerns, being 'a multitude of business' or mere vanity. False prophets were warned against claiming divine authority for their dreams: 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed.' The true test was whether the dream's content aligned with God's revealed word and led people toward Him rather than away. Dreams were never to be sought through pagan divination.
☩Prophetic Promise
Joel prophesied that in the last days, when God pours out His Spirit, 'your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.' Peter quoted this prophecy at Pentecost as finding fulfillment in the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, God directed Joseph through dreams regarding Mary, the flight to Egypt, and the return to Palestine. The Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod.
Related Verses96 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Dream," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Dream," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).