Lexical Summary
tor: Turtle-dove
Original Word:תּוֹר
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:towr
Pronunciation:tohr
Phonetic Spelling:(tore)
KJV: (turtle) dove
NASB:turtledoves, turtledove
Word Origin:[probably the same asH8447 (תּוֹר תּוֹר - ornaments)]
1. a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
estate
Or tor {tore}; probably the same astowr; a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment -- (turtle) dove.
see HEBREWtowr
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain derivation
Definitionturtledove
NASB Translationturtledove (5), turtledoves (9).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. ,
Leviticus 5:7 (
Leviticus 14:30) (onomatopoetic); — absolute
Genesis 15:9 (J; + ),
Jeremiah 8:7 (as migratory); as sacrificial offering (RS
Semitic i. 202; 2nd ed. 219, 294) [usually ]
Leviticus 1:14;
Leviticus 5:7,11;
Leviticus 12:6,8;
Leviticus 14:22,30;
Leviticus 15:14,29;
Numbers 6:10 (all P; compare also
Genesis 15:9);
Songs 2:12; suffix
Psalm 74:19 (figurative of 's people). — See Tristr
NHB 201 ff. Shiply-Cook
Ency. Bib. Dove Post
Hast. DB TURTLE-DOVE. — 1. see I. .
Topical Lexicon
Identity and Natural HistoryThe תּוֹר (turtledove) is a small migratory dove known for its gentle “cooing” and annual return to the land of Israel in spring.Jeremiah 8:7 joins it with the stork, swift, and thrush as instinctively obedient to God-given seasons, in contrast to disobedient humanity.Song of Solomon 2:12 celebrates its arrival as a sign that “the season of singing has arrived, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.” Its mild disposition and faithfulness to mate make it a fitting emblem of innocence, loyalty, and hope.
Sacrificial Role in the Mosaic Covenant
From the inauguration of the sacrificial system, the turtledove occupied a significant though humble place.Genesis 15:9 marks its earliest cultic appearance when the LORD ratified His covenant with Abram. In Leviticus it becomes a regular option for burnt (Leviticus 1:14), sin (Leviticus 5:7), purification (Leviticus 12:6), leper-cleansing (Leviticus 14:22), bodily discharge (Leviticus 15:14), and Nazirite completion offerings (Numbers 6:10). Being readily caught or purchased and easily handled on the altar, it provided a blood substitute that satisfied divine justice while sparing the worshipper. The repeated pairing with “young pigeon” underscores priestly flexibility while preserving required atonement through shed blood.
Provision for the Poor and the Heart of God
Leviticus 5:7 stipulates that one “who cannot afford a lamb may bring to the LORD as his penalty two turtledoves or two young pigeons.” The same economic accommodation appears for postpartum purification (Leviticus 12:8), famously fulfilled by Joseph and Mary inLuke 2:24. Thus the turtledove demonstrates the LORD’s concern that no Israelite be excluded from fellowship because of poverty. It upholds the principle that atonement is graciously accessible to “the least of these,” foreshadowing the gospel’s invitation to all who believe.
Covenant Symbolism and Typology
The divided carcass scene ofGenesis 15:9–10 anticipates the self-maledictory oath God undertook to secure His promises to Abram. The presence of the turtledove among larger animals suggests that even the smallest offering shares in the covenant’s efficacy when ordained by God. Within Christian typology, the gentle dove set on the altar points to Christ, who “like a lamb that is led to slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7) offered Himself without resistance. Its acceptance on behalf of the poorest worshippers illustrates the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice for all classes of humanity.
Poetic and Prophetic Imagery
Psalm 74:19 pleads, “Do not deliver the life of Your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of Your afflicted people forever.” Here the community under siege identifies itself as a vulnerable turtledove, trusting God for protection. The same pathos resonates when Jeremiah contrasts the bird’s obedience with Judah’s rebellion (Jeremiah 8:7). Together these texts frame the turtledove as both a model of instinctive submission to divine order and a symbol of the covenant people needing deliverance.
Seasonal Witness and Moral Reminder
Each spring the returning turtledove re-echoed covenant truths across Israel’s landscape: God’s faithfulness endures; sin demands atonement; renewed life follows cleansing. Jeremiah’s lament implies that if birds heed God’s timing, His people should all the more heed His word. The predictable migration thus became an annual sermon on repentance, renewal, and trust.
Pastoral and Ministry Applications
• Worship leaders may draw on the turtledove passages to teach God’s inclusion of the poor.
• Preachers can link the gentle bird of sacrifice with the Holy Spirit’s dove-like descent at Jesus’ baptism, illustrating continuity from old covenant symbols to new covenant realities.
• The faithful return of the turtledove offers encouragement to believers enduring winter-like seasons, reminding them that God ordains times of refreshing.
•Psalm 74:19 invites intercessors to plead for the persecuted church as “Your dove,” appealing to God’s covenant commitment to protect and remember His people.
Summary
The תּוֹר stands at the crossroads of worship, economic justice, covenant theology, and poetic imagery. Its sacrificial blood pointed forward to the Lamb of God, its annual migration illustrated divine faithfulness, and its gentle nature modeled the meekness expected of the redeemed. By studying the turtledove’s fourteen appearances, believers gain fresh appreciation for the Lord who provides atonement, remembers the afflicted, and orders the seasons for His glory and our good.
Forms and Transliterations
הַתֹּרִ֔ים הַתֹּרִ֗ים הַתּ֖וֹר התור התרים וְתֹ֖ר וְתֹ֤ר ותר תֹ֖ר תֹרִ֔ים תֹרִ֗ים תֹרִ֛ים תּוֹרֶ֑ךָ תורך תר תרים hat·tō·rîm hat·tō·wr hatTor hattoRim hattōrîm hattōwr ṯō·rîm tō·w·re·ḵā tor ṯōr toRecha toRim ṯōrîm tōwreḵā veTor wə·ṯōr wəṯōr
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