Biblical Meaning Of Water In Dreams

What does water mean in a dream. The water, I feel represents the spiritual realm. It’s hard to give you an exact interp without specifics on the dreams, but I believe you are moving into deep realms of the spirit.

It’s no secret that water is important. Without it, all of us would die within a few days. Because of this, then, water often takes on pretty strong literary elements. Many times, in the form of rain, it can foreshadow something bad or ominous that is going to happen. At other times, it could imply a type of baptism, in which a character undergoes some type of change to his character, usually for the better.

But, does this hold water (pun intended) when it comes to the spiritual or biblical meaning of water? What, exactly, can water mean when it is found within the Bible? A good way to find out, like usual, is to look at some passages and glean from what they have to say.

Biblical Meaning Of Water In Dreams

 Genesis 7:17 “Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.”

As the Genesis story goes, humankind’s sin was so horrendous that God became immensely grieved by it. As a way or purging the evil, He sent a flood to wipe out the wickedness from the earth, except for Noah, his family, and two of every kind of animal. Most of us know this story by heart, as it’s depicted in many children’s books and with a famous movie starring Russell Crowe.

However, there is some insight into what water means in the Bible when one reads the passage. Water, here, is used as a purging or cleansing. It appears to be negative, since it is so destructive, yet it was used to literally cleanse the earth away from all that was evil and unholy. Throughout the Scriptures, water often takes on that meaning.

John 4:14 “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

In addition to symbolizing some type of cleansing, water also points to satisfaction and life. This is precisely why Jesus is called the “living water,” which is noticeable in this passage. He tells the woman that when people come to Him, they will have complete satisfaction and never thirst for anything else in life.

In contrast, when someone drinks physical water, they always need more to sustain their life. With Jesus, though, completeness is given. So, water can point to satisfaction and life, which is just another way of saying that is symbolizes Jesus!

Acts 8:36-38 “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘see, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ Then Philip said, ‘if you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.”

Water is the medium through which baptism is performed, and it’s extremely fitting. Since water can symbolize cleansing and life, it is perfect to use in baptism. When someone gets baptized, they are submerged under the water for a second, and then come back up. The whole process shows an outward expression of a true inner value; the person is publicly declaring that they have new life in Jesus Christ.

All of the past sins and mistakes are dead (symbolic in the act of submerging the person in water) and then raised in newness of life (symbolic in the act of raising the person back up from the water). It is an expression of what has taken place within the heart; a full cleansing and new life.

So, water points to Jesus in many ways. It symbolizes a cleansing which only Jesus can give, a new life which Jesus offers, and is used in baptism to showcase the acceptance of Jesus and the denial of self. The Old Testament shows this, too; it is not exclusive to a New Testament theology.

The point to take away, however, is that water does an excellent job at revealing Jesus, who claims to be the Living Water. It is He, and He alone, who can quench the thirsty souls in this world. The fact that water is used symbolically and powerful in the Scriptures just aids in showing us how beautifully written it is and how amazing Jesus is!

Analyzing Water in a Dream

In the example above, the dreamer is “out of reach” from the turbulent waves. She watches them from behind a protective glass window. In fact, she has many dreams where she “observes” the water without going near it. This sounds like someone who notices her choppy emotions but doesn’t really want to explore their meaning.

Depending on the amount of water, the behavior of the water and the dreamer’s distance from the water, it is possible for the dreamer to piece together the meaning and learn what his dream is telling him.

Questions for Dream Interpretation

When you have a dream about water, try to recall answers to the following questions. They may help you discover the lesson your psyche is emphasizing.

* What type of water did you dream about? A large body of water could symbolize deep emotions, while walking in the rain could suggest cleansing.

* What was the behavior of the water in your dream? Turbulent water can suggest turbulent emotions. Water that is muddy or murky could symbolize confused or unclear feelings.

* What was your distance or reaction to the water? If you were lost or drowning in an ocean, you could feel overwhelmed by your emotions. Keeping a safe distance from choppy waves could symbolize emotions that are not being dealt with.

* What is your present emotional state? What new thoughts have been on your mind?

* What does a dream about water symbolize to you?

Types of Dreams Involving Water

There are many ways to dream about water. Sometimes dreamers are fearful of it, resulting in nightmares, but other times it is a pleasurable experience, resulting in dreams of freedom and exploration. The following two dream examples may provide help for your own interpretations.

Swallowed by the Sea

You are out at sea, floating on a small wooden raft alone. The waves have been rougher than usual, and you fear the raft will tip.

Suddenly, a tremendous tidal wave forms and threatens to overwhelm you. Terrified of being swallowed by the sea, you wake with a start.

The vast ocean – with its deep waters, rising and falling tides, and mysterious sea creatures – can be a foreboding place to hang out alone. Floating on the surface of all this, on a flimsy raft, it is no wonder the dreamer fears she could “tip” at any moment. Matters take a turn for the worse when a tremendous tidal wave forms and draws near, threatening her life.

The phrase “swallowed by the sea” conjures an image of being consumed or overwhelmed by a large body of water. When people find themselves in a “sea of trouble,” they usually feel helpless to the situation that threatens to drown them.

In its simplest form, this dream could be a metaphor for emotions that threaten to overwhelm the dreamer in her waking state – especially since she only has a small raft to carry her. Since a tidal wave would likely symbolize an emotional upheaval, the dreamer is probably experiencing some big emotions.

If the dreamer swam through the wave, or saw herself in a sturdy boat, this may provide a clue as to how she is dealing with her emotions. In this case, however, the waves are “rougher than usual” and she is scared of the tidal wave drawing near. Sometimes, our fears feel larger than reality; the dreamer may do well to avoid letting a present situation of concern consume her thoughts and feelings.

Underwater and Breathing

You are in the middle of swimming through an underwater tunnel and holding your breath is becoming more difficult. Just when you think you can’t last another second longer, you take a deep breath. You can breathe under water! When you emerge from the tunnel, you decide to swim free in the ocean and explore it for fun.

This is a delightful dream, and it carries rich symbolism. The dreamer starts out holding his breath because he doesn’t think he can breathe in the water. This may be the same way many people feel when they are about to approach a confrontation, unexpected meeting or difficult situation. Not knowing what will happen, emotions tense, they move forward, “holding their breath.”

The dreamer decides to go for it – he takes a breath because there is no other choice. To his surprise, he can breathe. And the feeling of freedom this provides sends him off on an underwater adventure, free to swim, play and explore.

“These underwater dreams suggest that the dreamer is immersed in emotion,” writes Richmond. “Since he can breathe under water, he is comfortable with his emotional life and feelings.”

Growth Opportunities

Whether it’s a dream or nightmare, the presence of water in any form can indicate how we are handling our unconscious (or conscious) feelings. By tuning into our deepest reservoirs of emotion, we can learn new ways of dealing, which can lead to growth and freedom.

A dreamer who avoids going near the water may feel intimidated by deep emotions and avoid close relationships in her waking hours. The key here is to go near the water – if not directly in it. Whether awake or asleep, allowing uncomfortable emotions to exist while wading into a situation “a little deeper” will yield a new experience. There is the chance of being hurt, but there is also the possible reward that comes with authentic closeness.

Dreams of water that cleanses, quenches or provides adventure can feel liberating. Most of the human body is made of water and, without it, humans couldn’t survive. When dreamers experience fun in the water, they are likely connecting in a healthy way with their spirit and psyche.

In Conclusion: biblical meaning of water in dream

Dreams about water remind us that our emotions are a force to be reckoned with. They can open our lives to a deeper, more natural experience, or they can threaten to overwhelm us if left unattended. The good news is, as alarming as water dreams can be, they alert us to parts of ourselves that are open to exploration and growth.

The next time you have a dream about water, jump in! When you wake, analyze the language of your dreams and discover what new challenges await you.

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