Greek word · G3677

ὄναρ

onar

dream

A dream, as opposed to a waking vision. The fixed phrase κατ᾽ ὄναρ (“in a dream”) was ordinary Greek. Some literary purists of the 2nd century looked down on it, but it was widely used.

Appears 6 times in 6 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 30, 2026

What it means

ὄναρ, τό

indecl., used only in nom, and accusative sing. (the other cases are supplied by ὄνειρος), a dream: κατ᾽ ὄ. (in later writers only), in a dream, Matthew 1:20 2:12-13, 19 2:22 27:19.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 27:19

Range of meaning: A dream, as opposed to a waking vision. The fixed phrase κατ᾽ ὄναρ (“in a dream”) was ordinary Greek. Some literary purists of the 2nd century looked down on it, but it was widely used.
Against the English: “Dream” is the correct word. Today’s English listener, though, tends to hear it as a product of the mind and not as a message from outside.
How it drifted: Modern psychology treats dreams as the mind processing itself. In the ancient world, Jewish and Greco-Roman alike, a striking dream was commonly taken as a message from God or the gods, especially one before a weighty decision.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the NT the phrase κατ᾽ ὄναρ occurs only in Matthew: Joseph is guided by dreams (1:20; 2:13, 19, 22), and the Gentile magi are warned in a dream (2:12). Roman writers report dreams of warning before decisive events, most famously Calpurnia’s dream the night before Julius Caesar was murdered (Plutarch, Caesar 63; Suetonius, Julius 81). Suetonius says Augustus took dreams seriously (Augustus 91). Artemidorus’ Oneirocritica (2nd century) is a whole handbook of dream interpretation.

From the study of Matthew 1:20

Range of meaning: 'In a dream' or 'by way of a dream'. ὄναρ is an old Greek word for a dream or dream-vision. The phrase kat' onar is a standard expression of the period for something received or done 'in accordance with a dream'.
Against the English: All the major English versions have 'in a dream', which is accurate. What English cannot show is that the phrase is a recognisable formula, and in the New Testament one that belongs to Matthew alone.
Used elsewhere in the period: Matthew uses it in 1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22; and 27:19 (Pilate's wife). No other New Testament writer does. Greek votive inscriptions often record a dedication made 'kat' onar', in response to a dream, especially at healing shrines. The LXX usually calls dreams ἐνύπνιον, as in the Joseph stories of Gen 37–41. In his retelling of Moses' birth, Josephus (Antiquities 2.210–216) has God appear to Amram, Moses' father, in his sleep to reassure him about the coming child. This is a close Jewish parallel to Joseph's dream.

From the study of Matthew 2:13

Range of meaning: A dream, especially a meaningful or revelatory one. Matthew always uses it in the phrase kat' onar, “in/by a dream,” which was a stock expression in Hellenistic Greek.
Against the English: English “dream” now suggests the subconscious or a random night image. In Matthew the phrase means a divine communication received in sleep.
How it drifted: Modern psychology has made dreams a matter of the inner self. In the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, dreams were one of the main ways the gods were believed to speak.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the New Testament the word appears only in Matthew (1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22; 27:19). Revelatory dreams were common in Scripture (Jacob in Genesis 28; Joseph in Genesis 37, 40–41; Solomon in 1 Kings 3), in Josephus and in Greco-Roman literature. The phrase kat' onar is common in inscriptions recording dedications made “in response to a dream.”

Where it appears

Matthew · 6

Matthew 1:20 ὄναρ a dream

But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Here: A dream. To ancient hearers this was a recognised channel of divine communication. Matthew alone in the New Testament uses this phrase, six times in all, five of them guiding Joseph and the Magi.
Matthew 2:12 ὄναρ a dream

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

Here: A dream treated as a channel for revelation. In the New Testament only Matthew uses this phrase, and he uses it six times. At every turn of the birth story God guides people by dreams.
Matthew 2:13 ὄναρ a dream

When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

Here: A dream understood as a channel of divine revelation. Matthew is the only New Testament writer to use the word (six times), and five of those are in the birth story.
Matthew 2:19 ὄναρ a dream

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.

Here: A dream treated as a channel of divine communication. The phrase kat' onar is a Greek idiom found in the New Testament only in Matthew (1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22; 27:19).
Matthew 2:22 ὄναρ a dream

But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,

Here: This is the fourth dream-guidance Joseph receives (1:20; 2:13; 2:19; 2:22). Through them Matthew shapes Joseph as a figure like the patriarch Joseph, the dreamer of Genesis.
Matthew 27:19 ὄναρ a dream

While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”

Here: “A dream.” In Matthew a dream is how God guides and warns people (1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22). This is the sixth and last time he uses the phrase.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.