ABSTRACT
The earliest history of dream interpretation has an interesting, repeating theme: communication between God and people through dreams, and dream-like revelations or visions. It is offered as a sampling of the rich and varied influences that dreams and dream interpretation have played in many religions and cultures over a long period of written history. This chapter draws upon dream references in the Torah and the Talmud, as well as two other Jewish books, the Zohar and the Midrash. The Egyptians are thought to have been influenced by the Mesopotamians in their dream beliefs, particularly in the idea that gods communicate through dreams. In the New Testament, there are numerous references to dreams, particularly in Matthew. It is also interesting to note that not only the beginning of Jesus' life was replete with divine information dreams and dream warnings, but the end of Jesus' life also involved dreams.
