God has frequently made use of dreams in communicating his will to men. The most remarkable instances of this are recorded in the history of Jacob (
Genesis 28:12 ;
31:10 ), Laban (
31:24 ), Joseph (
37:9-11 ), Gideon (Judg. 7), and Solomon (
1 Kings 3:5 ). Other significant dreams are also recorded, such as those of Abimelech (
Genesis 20:3-7 ), Pharaoh's chief butler and baker (
40:5 ), Pharaoh (
41:1-8 ), the Midianites (
Judges 7:13 ), Nebuchadnezzar (
Daniel 2:1 ;
Daniel 4:10 Daniel 4:18 ), the wise men from the east (
Matthew 2:12 ), and Pilate's wife (
27:19 ).
To Joseph "the Lord appeared in a dream," and gave him instructions regarding the infant Jesus ( Matthew 1:20 ; Matthew 2:12 Matthew 2:13 Matthew 2:19 ). In a vision of the night a "man of Macedonia" stood before Paul and said, "Come over into Macedonia and help us" ( Acts 16:9 ; see also 18:9 ; 27:23 ).
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.