What does the Bible say about dreams?
Dreams have fascinated people for centuries. In many cultures, they’ve been seen as omens, symbols, or messages from the spiritual realm. But what does the Bible actually say about dreams? It turns out, quite a bit.
From the early pages of Genesis to the visions of Revelation, dreams appear repeatedly as one of the ways God communicates with people. They’re not just random images conjured by sleep—they’re often theological moments. Moments when God breaks into the world of human experience to reveal, warn, guide, or comfort. But not all dreams in Scripture are created equal, and the Bible also makes it clear that discernment is needed. Let’s take a closer look at how dreams function in Scripture, and what they mean for believers today.
Dreams as Divine Communication
Dreams in the Bible aren’t primarily about psychological analysis or subconscious processing. Instead, they’re often seen as a supernatural form of communication—God speaking directly to individuals, bypassing the normal waking channels of perception.
Think of Jacob at Bethel, asleep on a stone pillow. In Genesis 28:12, he dreams of a ladder reaching into heaven, with angels ascending and descending. It’s not just a vivid image—it’s a declaration that God is with him and will fulfill His promises. That dream marks a turning point in Jacob’s life, reminding him that Yahweh is not bound by geography and that His covenant is still in motion.
Then there’s Joseph, Jacob’s son. In Genesis 37, Joseph dreams of sheaves of grain and heavenly bodies bowing to him. These weren’t meaningless dreams. They were prophetic glimpses of a future in which Joseph would rise to power and save many lives. But his brothers didn’t appreciate the symbolism—and those dreams kicked off a chain of events that would send Joseph to Egypt.
Later in Egypt, dreams again play a pivotal role. Pharaoh has disturbing visions he can’t explain. Joseph, by God’s power, interprets them as seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41). Pharaoh’s dreams save a nation. And Joseph's dream-interpretation gift becomes a powerful testimony to God's sovereignty over world events.
Daniel and the Apocalyptic Dimension
Daniel’s story builds on this theme. In Babylon, he’s given the gift of interpreting dreams—first for King Nebuchadnezzar, and later for others. These dreams reveal more than personal futures—they unveil the rise and fall of empires (Daniel 2, 4, 7). Daniel becomes a prophet not just because he can interpret dreams, but because those dreams are loaded with eschatological meaning.
Through Daniel, we begin to see how dreams in the Bible aren’t only about individuals. They often reveal the course of history and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan. This sets the stage for the apocalyptic visions in Revelation, where John receives dreams—or dreamlike visions—about the end of history and the return of Christ.
So dreams, in Scripture, are sometimes deeply personal. But they can also be deeply cosmic.
Dreams in the New Testament
Dreams don’t disappear in the New Testament. In fact, they show up right at the start of the Gospel story.
Joseph, the husband of Mary, receives a dream from God telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20). Later, another dream warns him to flee to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from Herod (Matthew 2:13). A third dream tells him it’s safe to return (Matthew 2:19–22).
These aren’t just narrative details. They show how God used dreams to protect the Messiah and fulfill prophecy. They also reinforce that God’s communication through dreams wasn’t limited to the Old Testament. He still speaks, still guides.
Even Pilate’s wife has a dream during Jesus’ trial and tells her husband, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream” (Matthew 27:19). Her dream doesn’t change the outcome, but it adds another layer of warning and conscience to the Passion narrative.
Discernment and the Danger of False Dreams
Of course, not every dream is from God. The Bible is clear on that too.
In Jeremiah 23:32, God condemns prophets who “prophesy lying dreams.” These are people claiming divine revelation when God hasn’t spoken. Instead of building up the people of God, these false dreams lead them astray.
Deuteronomy 13 warns that even if a prophet or dreamer performs signs and wonders but calls the people to serve other gods, they are to be rejected. Why? Because dreams—even supernatural ones—must align with God’s truth already revealed in His Word.
This is where the Gospel becomes crucial. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the center of God’s self-revelation. Any dream that contradicts or competes with the Gospel is not from God, no matter how powerful or emotional it may feel.
That means Christians today are not left guessing. They have the Bible as the ultimate authority. Dreams can be significant, but they must always be tested by Scripture, weighed in community, and evaluated with discernment.
The Purpose of Dreams in the Biblical Story
Dreams in the Bible serve several purposes. They reveal the future. They offer guidance. They warn of danger. They affirm God’s presence. And they sometimes speak of mysteries not yet fully understood.
But at a deeper level, dreams are part of how God relates to His people in the context of covenant. Whether it’s Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, or Paul (Acts 16:9), the purpose is always the same: to draw people into alignment with God’s will.
Even in Job—a book full of suffering and questioning—we find a reference to God speaking in dreams: “For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night... then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings” (Job 33:14–16). In other words, God is always speaking. Sometimes, He uses dreams to get our attention.
How This Shapes Christian Life Today
So how should believers view dreams today?
First, with gratitude. God is not distant. He has always used multiple ways to communicate. Dreams are just one of them.
Second, with discernment. Not every dream is divine. Some are the result of stress, memory, or even spiritual warfare. But when a dream aligns with Scripture, draws you closer to Christ, and builds up the church—it may very well be from God.
And third, with humility. The Gospel—not dreams—is the foundation of our faith. While God may still use dreams, they are never a substitute for Scripture, and they never take the place of Christ.
Dreams can be a reminder that we live in a world that’s more than just physical. There are spiritual realities at work. And in a culture that often tries to explain everything scientifically—even the complexity of dreams—the Bible invites us to remember that God is still present, still speaking.
Dreams and Eternal Hope
Lastly, it’s worth noting how dream imagery is sometimes used to point forward—to things not yet fully revealed.
The prophets often speak of visions that point toward the last days, the coming kingdom, and the restoration of all things. That includes the defeat of death, the resurrection of the body, and the renewal of creation. And while some of those visions come in waking life, others come in dreams.
The hope offered in the Bible—whether to the oppressed, the grieving, or even the confused—is that God’s purposes will stand. In a world where things like abortion, war, injustice, and sorrow mark so many lives, dreams in Scripture often point us toward a deeper reality: God is still on the throne. His kingdom is coming. And no nightmare of this world will undo what He has promised.
Bible Verses about dreams:
Genesis 37:5, "Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more."
Joel 2:28, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions."
Daniel 2:19, "Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven."
Job 33:14-15, "For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds."
Matthew 1:20, "But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'"
Ecclesiastes 5:3, "For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words."
Numbers 12:6, "And he said, 'Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.'"
Daniel 7:1, "In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter."
Jeremiah 23:32, "Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord."
Acts 2:17, "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams."
