Abstract

BAR, Shaul. Incubation and traces of incubation in the biblical narrative. Old testam. essays [online]. 2015, vol.28, n.2, pp.243-256. ISSN 2312-3621.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2015/V28N2A3.

Tins article examines the phenomenon of incubation. In the ancient world people would go to sacred places, offer sacrifices to God, and fall asleep hoping that God will visit them in a dream. The dream was supposed to give the subject advice and guidance. This type of dream is called an incubation dream. Solomon's dream at Gibeon and Jacob's vision at Beer Sheba are good examples of incubation dreams (1 Kgs 3:4-15; Gen 46:1-7). However, there are several passages which have been alleged to be incubation dreams (Num 22-24; Isa 65:4; Gen 15; 1 Sam 3). Hence, we will see if, indeed, they fit our de f inition of an incuba tion dream.

Keywords : Incubation; Solomon; Jacob; Balaam; Abraham; Samuel.

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