Fish Dreams: The Biblical Meaning of Fish in a Dream

When fish appear in your dreams, it often has spiritual significance. This article explores the biblical meaning of fish dreams, examining scripture and interpretations to help you understand these meaningful symbols.

As “fish dreams” are rather common, we’ll dive into what the Bible says about the interpretations and prophetic meanings of dreaming about fish.

The goal is to equip you to better grasp the personal message God may have for you in fish dreams through understanding the rich biblical meaning behind this key dream symbol.

The key is relying on God Himself to reveal the meaning of your dreams, as Scripture says “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8).

While we can explore biblical dream symbols like fish, only God can accurately interpret their personal meaning in your life.

Fish Dreams: What Does the Bible Say?

Dreaming about fish is not the most common of dreams, but it’s common enough that thousands of people search online for the meaning. So, it’s not as common as falling, being naked, or even snake dreams.

But a lot of people do dream about fish….in other words you are not alone!

And fish have an incredibly rich symbolism and meaning in the Bible!

The word fish is mentioned 68 times in the KJV, and fish is mentioned another 26 times. This helps to give us a solid understanding of the symbolism behind fish.

It is not like other non-scriptural creatures like butterflies.

Just a good reminder… dream interpretation and symbolism are not like a cookie cutter. One shape or size does NOT fit all.

One fish dream could mean one thing, and another fish dream could mean something else. So, please read through these and pray. See what the Holy Spirit highlights and shows you.

Symbolic and Spiritual Meaning of Fish

As you read scripture, you will see a common symbolic theme when it comes to fish. The major one is that fish symbolize people or souls.

 It’s such a strong and clear symbol that even in our modern culture, we use fish idioms to reference people’s personalities or traits.

For example, “fish out of water.” It refers to a person who is in unfamiliar and often uncomfortable surroundings. (Source).

Another meaning fish can contain is provision or supernatural provision. In the New Testament, we see many miracles that involve fish. Learn more here: Fish In The Bible: Symbolism, References, & Meaning

• The multiplication of the fish and loaves  (provision for food)

• Jesus tells the disciples to cast their nets on the right side of the boat (provision for food and money) – John 21:5-6 

• A Coin in the Fish’s Mouth (provision to pay for taxes) – Matthew 17:27

Fish Dream	Possible Meaning
Catching fish	– Feeling out of place, unfamiliar, lacking needed environment/community. Struggling with feeling disconnected
Eating fish	– Receiving needed provision. Gaining wisdom and spiritual insight, Words bring life to people. If eating voraciously, your words may be harming people
Cooking fish	– Preparation of something beneficial is happening. Provision and blessings are arising in your life. Planning spiritual nourishment for others
Cleaning fish	– Cleansing of your own soul & attitudes is occurring, Examining inner thoughts & motivations
Dead fish	– A relationship or season ending. Lacking spiritual vitality, Walking away from faith, Struggling through a very difficult time
Fish out of water	– Feeling out of place, unfamiliarity, Lacking needed environment/community. Struggling with feeling disconnected

Biblical Meaning Catching Fish In ADream (Fishing Dream) 

When we look at fishing in scripture, we are reminded of Jesus famous words in Matthew 4:19

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 NKJ

We see throughout the gospel that fish symbolize men. And fishing is essential meaning…”Catching people.”

This could look like…

• Evangelism 
• Pulling people out (out of darkness, a situation, etc) Bible Verses: Mark 1:17, Luke 5:5-10, Matthew 13:47-49

Outside of a Biblical context we see this idea of fish and fishing meaning people as well. For example, when it comes to finding a significant other.

We say things like, “there are plenty of fish in the sea.” If someone lacks emotions, we call them a “cold fish.”

What would be good to note in your dream is how were you fishing and where. These questions can be helpful to see more clearly what the Lord is saying to you.

Here are some more questions to ask yourself:

• Was it with a fishing pole? With bait?

• With a net?

• With a spear?

• With your hands?

• Was I in a boat, dock, shore…etc? 

• Fishing alone or with others?

• What was the body of water? Lake, sea, pond…etc?

These different locations and how you fish can greatly impact what the dream means. For example, dreaming of catching a lot of fish in a small pond could represent that your small start-up business will flourish and be fruitful.

Dream of Eating Fish

Fish was a popular and common food source in Biblical times. Jesus also performed the multiplication of loaves and fishes twice to provide for thousands of people. 

So, your fish dream could very well mean that the Lord will bring provision. But this depends on your dream. If the dream is of you ferociously eating fish, it could mean your words are hurting people. 

Can you see how those are two completely different understandings of how fish are symbolized in the dream?

I don’t know the specifics of your dream. You will have to pray and seek wisdom for the Lord to give you His interpretation of why you were eating fish. 

Remember to ask questions too…

What was going on in the dream? What were you sensing and feeling? What kind of fish were you eating? etc…

Cooking or Cooked Fish Dream 

Along the lines above, cooking or cooked fish could represent provision is coming or being prepared. Some good questions to ask are: who was cooking the fish? Was the fish given to you or someone else?

Cutting Fish in a Dream 

Cutting a fish could mean many different things. It could piggyback on the cooking of fish and have the symbolic meaning of provision being prepared for you. 

Cutting and cleaning a fish could also represent cleaning of the soul or dealing with deep inner things.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Dream Of Fish Swimming

If your dream consists of fish swimming around or you swimming with fish. This could have multiple meanings from a Biblical standpoint. It could mean you are joining a community. For example, going to a new church or taking a class.  

The school of fish could also represent a people group. It’s important to note where these fish are swimming.

• Was it in a river, ocean, or lake, or was it in an aquarium?
• Were the fish in danger or swimming peacefully
• Is there anything specific about these fish? Were they the same? Did they have a specific color?

Here are more examples of where fish could be swimming and their potential spiritual meaning. Be aware that these are suggestions, looking at the characteristics of a body and water and what they could mean.

Always pray about your dream and let the Lord speak to your heart.

Location	Possible Meaning
Ocean	Large harvest, many people/souls. Wide spread ministry or impact. Large territories like cities, states, and nations.
Lake	Local church community, Focused area,
River	Movement, travel, the unsaved <br> People “coming to faith”. Constantly changing paths ahead.
Stream	Still intimate like a lake, but moving. Ongoing conversion, disciples.
Pond	Small church, business, enterprise, etc.. Can dry up if neglected.
Fishbowl, Aquarium	Small environment, church, friend group, family. Trapped feeling.

Biblical Dream About Fish Out of Water

I think most of us are familiar with the metaphor, “A fish out of water…” Meaning someone is feeling out of place or not fitting in.

Having a dream of a fish out of water could mean that very metaphor (God sometimes uses modern metaphors and idioms to speak to us) or it could mean someone is struggling and is need of help since a fish needs water to survive.  

When I was younger, my dad had koi fish in a pond at our house. And every once in a while, a big koi fish would jump out of the pond to catch bugs. 

If we didn’t notice or were not there to help it back into the pond it would die. If we happened to be there, you would see this poor little fish gasping for air and struggling to try to get back into the water. We, of course, would quickly rescue it, and all would be well. 

Good questions to ask for this…

• Was the fish struggling or was the fish dead? 

• Was the fish near water or far away?

• Did you help or try to help the fish?

• Did the fish survive?

Biblical Dream About Dead Fish

A fish out of water is one thing, and a dead fish is another. Dreaming about dead fish could mean various things.

It could mean the end of a relationship/friendship, someone walking away from the Lord, someone having extreme struggles, and more.

This is one I would encourage you to pray a lot about, especially if the Lord is highlighting it. 

How to Interpret Fish in Dreams

Now that we have looked at those 6 types of fish dreams.

How can we go about finding the meaning or interpretation? 

First, let’s not forget these 3 IMPORTANT keys:

1. Not all dreams come from God. Yes, God speaks to us in dreams, but there are times when our dream comes from our soul, body, or the enemy.
2. Seek out the Bible for understanding symbols in your dreams.
3. The interpretation comes from God. (Genesis 40:8)

Well, I want to share some key steps you can take to help you interpret a dream with fish in it. You will see a lot of questions through these steps. This is to help you break down your dream and see what it could mean. 

1. Write the dream down (or record it audible) and make note of anything prominent in the dream. (People, colors, objects, sound, location, etc…) 

And especially anything that the fish does…

Key Fish Dream Questions To Ask: 

• What type of fish was it? 
• Was the fish small or large?
• What color was the fish?  Example was it a black, brown, or blue fish? 
• Was this fish in water, out of water, or dead/cooked?
• What was the fish doing? 
• How did the fish make you feel?
• Was the fish able to speak or convey information to you? If so write that down.

Special note on colors. For example, q black fish or q red fish could have a double or richer meaning to their symbol because of their color. You can learn more about colors at The Ultimate Guide to Colors in the Bible

2. Look into the Bible about symbols you saw in your dream, like the fish. Make a note of this information, and if something is quickened in your spirit, then write that down.

3. Begin to pray about the dream and ask God to bring clarity about what the fish symbolizes. If you sense anything from God, write it down.

4. This is a good time to share the dream with a family member or a good friend. You want this person to be someone who knows the Lord and knows the Word.
   
   Tell them what you sense and feel about the dream. Ask for their thoughts and counsel. I would encourage you to ask for prayer during this time as well. 

5. Pray over what you feel the dream and the fish could mean, and take action if you feel the Lord is leading to you.

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Well, there you have it. I hope this article on the Biblical meaning of fish in dreams was helpful. Many times God is speaking to us prophetically through our dreams, we need to lean in and listen. 

For a fun twist, make sure to check out my fishermen’s prayers!

Feel free to leave me a comment below. I would love to hear what Jesus is doing in your life! If you would like to grow more on the topic of Christian Dream interpretation, go visit this page.