ἐνυπνιάζομαι

I dream

Definition

The verb ἐνυπνιάζομαι means 'to dream,' specifically referring to experiencing dreams during sleep. In the New Testament, it describes ordinary dreaming, as in Jude 1:8 where false teachers are said to defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile glorious ones, possibly through dream-inspired revelations. More significantly, it appears in the quotation of Joel 2:28 in Acts 2:17, where God promises that in the last days, 'your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.' Here, dreaming is presented as a form of divine communication and prophetic revelation, marking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in contexts involving spiritual revelation or its misuse. In Acts 2:17, it is part of Peter's Pentecost sermon, quoting the prophet Joel to explain the miraculous events as fulfillment of prophecy, where dreaming is a positive, Spirit-empowered phenomenon. In Jude 1:8, the term is used negatively, describing false teachers who rely on their dreams (ἐνυπνιαζόμενοι) to justify immoral behavior and rebellion against spiritual authority. The usage thus contrasts authentic divine communication with deceptive, self-serving claims.

Etymology

Ἐνυπνιάζομαι is a verb derived from the noun ἔνυπνον (enypnon), meaning 'a dream.' The noun itself comes from ἐν (en, 'in') and ὕπνος (hypnos, 'sleep'), literally meaning 'in sleep.' It is related to the more common verb ὀνειράζομαι (oneirazomai, G1797 is sometimes linked contextually), which also means 'to dream.' The formation emphasizes the state of being asleep when the dreaming occurs.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects to the theme of divine revelation and the Holy Spirit's work. In Acts 2:17, dreaming is elevated as a mode of prophecy, signifying the inclusive and widespread nature of the Spirit's outpouring in the new covenant era. Understanding the Greek highlights the contrast in Jude, where the same phenomenon can be misused, warning believers to test spiritual experiences against apostolic teaching and moral truth. It enriches reading by showing that dreams in Scripture are not merely subconscious activity but can be channels for God's message, requiring discernment.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, dreams were often considered significant sources of divine messages or omens, as seen in the Old Testament (e.g., Joseph, Daniel) and pagan practices. The New Testament usage reflects this cultural view but reframes it within Christian revelation. The positive instance in Acts aligns with Jewish prophetic tradition, while the negative in Jude may critique those who, like certain pagan mystics or heretical groups, used dream claims to gain authority or justify antinomian behavior, differing from modern psychological understandings of dreams.

ὀνειράζομαι (oneirazomai, G1797) — A more general verb for dreaming; often used interchangeably, but ἐνυπνιάζομαι can emphasize the state of being asleep. ὄναρ (onar, G3677) — The noun 'dream,' the thing seen. ὅραμα (horama, G3705) — 'Vision,' a broader term for supernatural sights, which may occur while awake (Acts 2:17 pairs it with dreams).

Word Details

Scripture References