In several instances, recurring dreams and visions are used to convey divine messages or prophecies. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible illustrates a variety of dreams, their interpretations, and their significance in God’s plan for humanity.
What is the Biblical View of Dreams?
The Bible portrays dreams as a vehicle for divine messages, particularly in the Old Testament. God utilizes dreams to provide wisdom, insight, and revelations about future events. Whether it’s Joseph interpreting dreams in Egypt or Daniel obtaining visions in Babylon, dreams are portrayed as significant and profound. They aren’t trivial or merely random thoughts while sleeping—instead, they often contain important messages that require understanding and interpretation.
Who in the Bible was Given Dreams?
Several Biblical figures were given dreams as a method of divine communication. Notable among them is Joseph, the son of Jacob, who had two dreams symbolizing his future authority over his brothers. He was also renowned for interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, which foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, allowing Egypt to prepare appropriately. Similarly, Daniel, a Jewish prophet living in Babylon, deciphered King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and was given visions predicting critical events in world history.
Why Does God Use Dreams in the Bible?
In the context of the Bible, God uses dreams to reveal His intentions, offer guidance, or warn about impending danger. This method provides the dreamer with critical insights that wouldn’t be possible through everyday experiences. For example, through a dream, God warned Abimelech not to touch Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Moreover, God instructed Joseph, the husband of Mary, in a dream to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter of innocents. Thus, dreams in the Bible can be crucial turning points that influence an individual’s actions and direct the course of history.
How are Dreams Interpreted in the Bible?
Interpreting dreams in the Bible often requires a divine revelation or a gift of discernment. Individuals like Joseph and Daniel were given the capacity to interpret dreams, turning complex or cryptic visions into understandable messages. In both cases, they acknowledged that their ability to interpret was not of their own doing but came from God. For example, Pharaoh acknowledged God’s work in Joseph when Joseph successfully interpreted his dreams about the forthcoming famine. Thus, in the Bible, the interpretation of dreams is a gift from God meant to be used for His purposes.
What Influence do Biblical Dreams Have on Reality?
Biblical dreams significantly influence reality by shaping the lives of individuals and even entire nations. In multiple instances, these dreams initiate a series of events with far-reaching impacts. Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams led to preparations for an impending famine, saving many lives in Egypt and the surrounding regions. Similarly, the divine warning dreams received by common people and rulers alike often resulted in actions that transformed realities. Consequently, dreams in the Bible are more than mere nighttime musings—they can lead to actions that drastically alter the course of individuals’ lives and history.
When Does God Communicate Through Dreams in the Bible?
While there’s no stipulated time or regularity for God communicating through dreams in the Bible, it seems to occur when God intends to reveal critical information or direction. This divine communication tends to happen at pivotal points in Biblical narratives, and the dreams often have significant consequences if not heeded. This can be seen in how Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams led to vital preparations, saving Egypt from a severe seven-year famine. Conversely, Nebuchadnezzar’s ignored dream ended up predicting Babylon’s downfall, highlighting the crucial timing and potential impact of God’s communication through dreams.
Below is our full list of bible verses on dreams (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Dreams
Acts 2:17
“17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Vision
Job 33:14-18
“14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.”
Related Themes: Direction
Ecclesiastes 5:7
“7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.”
Joel 2:28
“28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”
Related Themes: Vision Holy Spirit Old Age Prophecy
Jeremiah 23:32
“32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.”
Genesis 40:8
“8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.”
Numbers 12:6
“6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.”
Related Themes: Vision
Genesis 20:3
“3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.”
Matthew 2:13
“13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence
Luke 10:19
“19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Related Themes: Power Dominion Empowerment Authority Police
Daniel 4:5
“5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.”
Proverbs 3:24
“24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”
Related Themes: Rest Nightmares Peace Sleeplessness
1 John 4:1
“1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
Related Themes: Discernment Confusion Lying Judging Others Magic
Daniel 2:28
“28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;”
Related Themes: Revealing Secrets
Matthew 27:19
“19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence
Daniel 1:17
“17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
Related Themes: Education Creativity Learning Arguing Wisdom
Job 33:15
“15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;”
Ecclesiastes 5:3
“3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.”
Related Themes: Business Setting Goals Success Nightmares
Matthew 2:19
“19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,”
Isaiah 29:8
“8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.”
Hebrews 10:35
“35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”
Related Themes: Self Confidence Frustration Perseverance Help Self-Esteem
1 Kings 3:5
“5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.”
Related Themes: Discernment
Ephesians 3:20
“20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Creativity Greatness Hope Humility
Daniel 7:1
“1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.”
Related Themes: Pride Rebuilding Abomination
Matthew 1:20
“20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Angels
Deuteronomy 13:1-3
“1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Related Themes: Discernment Fortune
Proverbs 29:18
“18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Related Themes: Vision Attitude Morality Setting Goals Discernment
Genesis 46:2
“2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.”
Genesis 31:24
“24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.”
Amos 3:7
“7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
Related Themes: Vision Prophecy Revealing Secrets Communication
