What Does the Bible Say About Dreams — In Biblical Context
God used dreams throughout Scripture to communicate with people, including Joseph, Daniel, and the wise men, though not all dreams carry divine meaning.
God used dreams throughout Scripture to communicate with people, including Joseph, Daniel, and the wise men, though not all dreams carry divine meaning.
"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." — Joel 2:28 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Dreams play a significant role in biblical narrative. God spoke to Jacob in a dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:12), gave Joseph prophetic dreams about his future (Genesis 37), and enabled Daniel to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dreams. In the New Testament, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream regarding Mary's pregnancy (Matthew 1:20), and the wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod (Matthew 2:12). Joel 2:28 prophesied that in the last days, 'your old men shall dream dreams' — fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2:17). However, Scripture also warns against false prophets who claim divine dreams (Jeremiah 23:25-28) and notes that not all dreams carry spiritual significance (Ecclesiastes 5:3). Believers should test any claimed revelation against Scripture.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Joel 2:28, sits inside Joel 2. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully."
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