Interpretation of Heart Intentions in Biblical Dreams
Biblical Understanding of Heart Intentions in Dreams
The biblical concept of heart intentions is closely tied to the understanding of dreams as a means of divine communication. In biblical narratives, dreams are often used as a vehicle for God to reveal His will to individuals, such as Jacob, Joseph, and Solomon [8]. The heart, in biblical anthropology, is considered the center of human thought, emotion, and intention, encompassing the entirety of a person's inner life [7].
The biblical text frequently associates the heart with desires, longings, and moral constitution. The kidneys or "reins" are also metaphorically linked with the heart, signifying the seat of desires and affections [2, 3]. The Psalmist invokes God to "search me, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts" (Psalms 139:23) [4], underscoring the heart's role in harboring intentions and thoughts.
In the context of dreams, the heart's intentions can be revealed or influenced by divine intervention. According to one interpretation, dreams can be a means by which God communicates with individuals, revealing future events or guiding decision-making [1]. The biblical account of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dreams illustrates this, where the interpretation is attributed to God's revelation [5].
The relationship between heart intentions and dreams is also explored in biblical wisdom literature. Proverbs notes that "many plans are in the heart of a man, but the purpose of Yahweh will be established" (Proverbs 19:21) [6], suggesting that human intentions, as reflected in the heart, are subject to divine sovereignty.
Rabbinic interpretation, as seen in Rashi's commentary on Psalms 73:7, understands the heart's desires and hopes as being surpassed by the actual events that unfold, indicating a complex interplay between human intentions and divine providence [9]. Similarly, Abraham Ibn Ezra's commentary on Deuteronomy 4:11 explains the "heart of heaven" as referring to the middle or center, illustrating the symbolic and metaphorical use of "heart" in biblical language [11].
The interpretation of dreams and heart intentions is not uniform across traditions. While some view dreams as a potential means of divine communication, others are more cautious, citing biblical warnings against false prophets who claim to receive divine revelations through dreams (Jeremiah 23:25-28; 29:8) [1]. The Presbyterian interpretation, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, sees the outpouring of the Spirit in the last days as including the manifestation of prophetic gifts such as seeing visions and dreaming dreams, in line with Joel's prophecy (Acts 2:17) [10].
The biblical text itself maintains a nuanced view of dreams, recognizing both their potential for divine revelation and their susceptibility to misinterpretation or manipulation. The heart's intentions, as reflected in dreams, are thus subject to a complex interplay of human and divine factors.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Dreams — Visions in sleep -- Job 33:15; Da 2:28. Often by imaginary -- Job 20:8; Isa 29:8. Excess of business frequently leads to -- Ec 5:3. God's will often revealed in -- Nu 12:6; Job 33:15. False prophets Pretended to. -- Jer 23:25-28; 29:8. Not to be regarded in. -- De 13:1-3; Jer 27:9. Condemned for pretending to. -- Jer 23:32. Vanity of trusting to natural -- Ec 5:7. The ancients Put great faith in. -- Jdj 7:15. Often perplexed by. -- Ge 40:6; 41:8; Job 7:14; Da 2:1; 4:5. Anxious to have, explained. -- Ge 40:8; Da 2:3. Consulting magicians on. -- Ge 41:8; Da 2:”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Reins — (i.e. kidneys). In the ancient system of physiology the kidneys were believed to be the seat of desire and longing, which accounts for their often being coupled with the heart. (Psalms 7:9; 26:2; Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10), etc.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reins — The kidneys, the supposed seat of the desires and affections; used metaphorically for "heart." The "reins" and the "heart" are often mentioned together, as denoting the whole moral constitution of man (Ps. 7:9; 16:7; 26:2; 139:13; Jer. 17:10, etc.).”
- Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
- Genesis “Videruntque ambo somnium nocte una, juxta interpretationem congruam sibi : -- Genesis 40:5”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 19:21 (LEB) — Many plans are in the heart of a man, but the purpose of Yahweh will be established.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Heart — According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. "Heart" and "soul" are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case. The heart is the "home of the personal life," and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6; Ps. 11:2; 78:72), pious and good (Luke 8:15), etc. In these and such passages the word "soul" could not ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Dream — 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 (Gen. 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 (Gen. 20:3-7), Pharaoh's chief butler and baker (40:5), Pharaoh (41:1-8), the Midianites (Judg. 7:13), Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:1; 4:10, 18), the wise men from the east (Matt. 2:12), and Pilate's wife (27:19). To Joseph "the Lord appeared in a dream,”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 73:7: they surpassed the imaginings of their heart More than what their heart hopes for and awaits, came to them. In the attainment of their hand, they surpassed the desire of their heart.”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 2:17: in the last days--meaning, the days of the Messiah (Isa 2:2); as closing all preparatory arrangements, and constituting the final dispensation of God's kingdom on earth. pour out of my Spirit--in contrast with the mere drops of all preceding time. upon all flesh--hitherto confined to the seed of Abraham. sons . . . daughters . . . young men . . . old men . . . servants . . . handmaidens--without distinction of sex, age, or rank. see visions . . . dream dreams--This is a mere accommodation to the ways in which the Spirit operated under the ancient”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 4:11: UNTO THE HEART OF HEAVEN. The middle of heaven. 12 The heart lies in the middle of the body. Hence heart is used in the sense of middle. See I.E. on Ex. 15:8 (Vol. 2, p. 299). When a person looks straight up, it appears to him that he is staring at the middle of the sky. Scripture speaks of those who look up. The heart of the sea (Ex. 15:8) is similar. 13 It means the middle of the sea. See above note.”