Dreams and Visions
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
—experiences of sleep or divinely granted revelation. Scripture distinguishes ordinary dreams, which may arise from bodily condition, memory, fear, or the press of daily concerns (Job 7:14; Eccles. 5:3, 7), from dreams sent by God for warning, instruction, or prophecy. Such revelatory dreams include those of Abimelech, Jacob, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and others (Gen. 20:3; 28:12; 41:1–32; Dan. 2; 4). Joel foretells that under the outpouring of God’s Spirit the old shall dream dreams and the young shall see visions (Joel 2:28).