Dreams can be a way God speaks or encourages us. Today, we’ll see what the Bible says about dreams and their significance in our lives.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Dreads
What Does The Bible Say About Dream
Genesis 37:5
“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.”
This verse depicts the start of Joseph’s journey with his dreams. It highlights the jealousy and animosity that arose among his brothers upon hearing about his dreams. Dreams have the power to create division and evoke strong emotions in people.
Joel 2:28
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
Here, the Lord promises to pour out His Spirit, enabling people to have dreams and visions. Dreams can be a means by which God communicates with His people and reveals His plans and purposes.
Matthew 1:20
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
In this verse, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream to reassure him and provide guidance regarding Mary and the unborn child. God can use dreams to bring clarity and guidance to individuals in their time of need.
Genesis 41:1-7
“When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds.”
This passage tells the story of Pharaoh’s dream and Joseph’s interpretation of it. Dreams can contain symbols and messages that require interpretation, and God gifted Joseph with the ability to interpret dreams, which ultimately changed the course of history.
Acts 2:17
““In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
The apostle Peter, quoting from the prophet Joel, emphasizes the significance of dreams in the last days. Dreams can act as a conduit for God’s prophetic messages and serve as a powerful means of communication between the spiritual and earthly realms.
Numbers 12:6
“He said, “Listen to my words: ‘When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.”
Here, the Lord declares His chosen method of communication with prophets – through visions and dreams. Dreams have been a consistent tool used by God throughout history to convey His messages and revelations.
Matthew 27:19
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’”
Pilate’s wife sends him a warning based on a dream she had about Jesus. Dreams have the potential to bring insight and warn individuals of impending events or circumstances.
Daniel 2:1
“In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep.”
Nebuchadnezzar experienced troubling dreams that left him restless and seeking answers. Dreams can have a profound impact on individuals, causing them to seek understanding and meaning.
Matthew 2:12
“And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”
The wise men were divinely guided through a dream, which directed them to avoid Herod’s wicked intentions. Dreams can provide divine guidance and protect individuals from harm or danger.
Genesis 28:12
“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.”
In this verse, Jacob has a dream where he sees a stairway connecting heaven and earth. Dreams can provide glimpses into the spiritual realm and reveal God’s presence and connection to our lives.
Matthew 2:13
“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’”
Joseph receives another crucial message through a dream, guiding him to protect Jesus from Herod’s evil plot. Dreams can be instrumental in alerting and guiding individuals in critical situations.
Genesis 41:25
“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ”The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.”
Joseph affirms that dreams often carry divine revelations and insights. God can use dreams to communicate His plans and intentions to individuals, providing them with wisdom and understanding.
Daniel 7:1
“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.”
Daniel receives significant visions and dreams, documenting their content. Recording dreams allows for further reflection and interpretation, uncovering their deeper meanings.
Matthew 1:24
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”
Joseph acts upon the instructions received in a dream, demonstrating the trust and obedience that can be inspired through divine communication in dreams. Dreams can guide us towards the right course of action.
Job 33:14-15
“For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds.”
This verse speaks to the diverse ways in which God communicates with humanity, including dreams and visions. Dreams provide an avenue for divine revelation, even when people are unaware of God’s presence and activity.
Acts 16:9
“During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’”
Paul receives a vision in his dream, indicating a call to travel and bring the gospel to Macedonia. Dreams can be used by God to direct and guide individuals in fulfilling His purposes.
Genesis 20:3
“But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, ‘You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.’”
God intervenes through a dream to warn Abimelek about his sin and the consequences he will face. Dreams can bring conviction and correction, leading individuals to repentance and righteousness.
Matthew 2:19-22
“After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.””
Joseph receives further divine guidance in a dream, instructing him to return to Israel. Dreams can serve as a means of continual communication and guidance from God, at different stages of our lives.
Job 4:13-16
“Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on people, fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake. A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice.”
In this verse, Job describes the intense emotional and spiritual experiences he had in a dream, where fear and supernatural encounters overwhelmed him. Dreams can evoke strong emotions and spiritual encounters that leave a lasting impact.
Genesis 28:13
“There above it stood the Lord, and he said: ‘I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.”
Jacob receives a profound dream in which God affirms His covenant and promises to bless his descendants. Dreams can be transformative, providing reassurance and direction in life’s journey.
Matthew 2:22
“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee.”
Joseph heeds the warning received in a dream, redirecting his path to protect Jesus and fulfill God’s purposes. Dreams can help us navigate through challenging situations, leading us towards safety and fulfillment of God’s plans.
Job 33:14
“For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it.”
This verse emphasizes that God speaks through various means, including dreams. Dreams can serve as an avenue for divine communication, even when we may not initially recognize or understand their significance.
Matthew 27:19
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’”
Pilate’s wife sends him a warning based on a dream she had about Jesus. Dreams have the potential to bring insight and warn individuals of impending events or circumstances.
Job 33:15-16
“In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings.”
Here, the text emphasizes that God can use dreams to bring divine warnings and messages of caution. Dreams have the power to alert and prompt individuals to take necessary action or make changes in their lives.
Matthew 27:24
“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’”
This verse highlights Pilate’s indecision and unwillingness to act, despite his wife’s warning in a dream. Dreams can bring important insights, but it is our responsibility to heed them and make the right choices.