Dreams have fascinated people for centuries. In the Bible, dreams are more than just random thoughts during sleep — they are sometimes divine messages, prophetic visions, or spiritual insights.
From Joseph’s life-changing dreams in Genesis to the visions of Daniel and the warnings given to the wise men in Matthew, God has often used dreams to guide, warn, and inspire His people.
These Bible verses about dreams in the Bible highlight how God can use dreams to communicate His will, provide encouragement, and even prepare us for what lies ahead.
Whether you believe your dreams hold a deeper meaning or simply want to understand the biblical view of them, these Scriptures will help you see how God has worked through dreams in His Word and how He may speak through them today.
35 Bible Verses About Dreams In The Bible
1. Genesis 28:12
And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Explanation: Jacob’s dream at Bethel revealed God’s presence and His connection between heaven and earth.
2. Genesis 37:5
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
Explanation: Joseph’s God-given dreams foretold his future leadership, sparking jealousy from his brothers.
3. Genesis 40:8
And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.
Explanation: Joseph acknowledged that interpretations belong to God, showing divine control over dreams.
4. Genesis 41:15
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it.
Explanation: Pharaoh’s dreams led to Joseph’s rise to power through God’s wisdom.
5. Numbers 12:6
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.
Explanation: God sometimes uses dreams to communicate His message to prophets.
6. Judges 7:13
And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow.
Explanation: A dream served as confirmation for Gideon that God would give him victory.
7. 1 Kings 3:5
In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
Explanation: God appeared to Solomon in a dream, offering him wisdom and blessings.
8. Job 33:14-15
For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night.
Explanation: God may speak through dreams to warn or guide us.
9. Daniel 1:17
…and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Explanation: Daniel was gifted by God to interpret dreams and visions.
10. Daniel 2:19
Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision.
Explanation: God revealed mysteries to Daniel through night visions.
11. Daniel 4:5
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
Explanation: Some dreams in the Bible brought fear, prompting people to seek God’s meaning.
12. Daniel 7:1
Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream.
Explanation: Recording dreams helped preserve God’s messages for the future.
13. Matthew 1:20
…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.
Explanation: God used a dream to guide Joseph to accept Mary and raise Jesus.
14. Matthew 2:12
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Explanation: The wise men were warned in a dream to avoid danger.
15. Matthew 2:13
…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.
Explanation: God used a dream to protect Jesus from King Herod.
16. Matthew 2:19-20
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
Explanation: Another dream directed Joseph to return to Israel.
17. Acts 2:17
…your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
Explanation: In the last days, God will use dreams as a way to reveal His plans.
18. Ecclesiastes 5:3
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business.
Explanation: Not all dreams are divine; some come from daily concerns.
19. Ecclesiastes 5:7
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
Explanation: We must seek God’s truth above the confusion of many dreams.
20. Jeremiah 23:28
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully.
Explanation: God calls for truthfulness in sharing dreams.
21. Jeremiah 23:32
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord.
Explanation: False dreams and deceptive interpretations are condemned.
22. Zechariah 10:2
…the dreamers have told false dreams; they comfort in vain.
Explanation: Not all dreams come from God; some mislead.
23. Genesis 20:3
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night.
Explanation: God used a dream to warn Abimelech of wrongdoing.
24. Genesis 31:24
And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night.
Explanation: God protected Jacob through a warning in Laban’s dream.
25. Genesis 31:10-11
…in a dream of the night.
Explanation: God spoke to Jacob in a dream, guiding his actions.
26. Judges 7:15
And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped.
Explanation: A dream’s interpretation can lead to worship and confidence.
27. Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets.
Explanation: Dreams can reveal God’s mysteries when He chooses.
28. Daniel 4:18
This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen.
Explanation: God used dreams to humble and teach powerful rulers.
29. Daniel 4:9
…for I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee.
Explanation: Daniel was trusted to interpret dreams because of God’s Spirit.
30. Matthew 27:19
Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Explanation: Pilate’s wife was warned in a dream about Jesus’ innocence.
31. Job 7:14
Then thou scarest me with dreams.
Explanation: Some dreams may bring fear to draw us to God.
32. Job 20:8
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found.
Explanation: Dreams can symbolize the fleeting nature of life.
33. Psalm 73:20
As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
Explanation: Dreams can be metaphors for life’s temporary illusions.
34. Isaiah 29:8
It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth.
Explanation: Dreams can reflect unmet desires or false hopes.
35. Joel 2:28
Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
Explanation: God promises to use dreams as part of His future work among His people.
Conclusion
Dreams in the Bible remind us that God can use the night hours to speak, guide, warn, or encourage His people.
While not every dream is from God, the Scriptures show that He sometimes chooses this unique method to reveal His will.
Understanding the difference between divine dreams and ordinary ones requires discernment, prayer, and alignment with God’s Word.