Topical Encyclopedia
The turtledove, a small migratory bird, holds significant symbolism and practical importance in the Bible. Known for its gentle nature and mournful cooing, the turtledove is often associated with themes of love, sacrifice, and purity. It is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting its role in both religious rituals and poetic imagery.
Biblical References and Symbolism1.
Sacrificial Offerings: The turtledove is frequently mentioned in the context of sacrificial offerings. In the Mosaic Law, it was one of the birds permitted for sacrifice, particularly for those who could not afford larger animals.
Leviticus 1:14 states, "If, however, his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon." This provision underscores the accessibility of worship and atonement for all social classes, highlighting God's inclusivity and compassion.
2.
Purification Rites: The turtledove also appears in purification rites. In
Leviticus 12:6-8, after the birth of a child, a woman was required to bring a lamb and a turtledove or pigeon for her purification. If she could not afford a lamb, two turtledoves or two young pigeons were acceptable. This is exemplified in the New Testament when Mary and Joseph offered two turtledoves at the temple following the birth of Jesus (
Luke 2:24), indicating their humble status.
3.
Symbol of Love and Faithfulness: The Song of Solomon uses the imagery of the turtledove to convey themes of love and renewal. In
Song of Solomon 2:12, it is written, "The flowers have appeared in the countryside; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land." The presence of the turtledove signifies the arrival of spring and the blossoming of love, reflecting the bird's association with fidelity and affection.
4.
Prophetic Imagery: The turtledove is also used in prophetic literature to symbolize mourning and lamentation. In
Jeremiah 8:7, the prophet laments the people's ignorance of God's laws, contrasting it with the instinctual knowledge of the turtledove: "Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed times, and the turtledove, swift, and thrush observe the time of their migration. But My people do not know the requirements of the LORD." Here, the turtledove's migratory patterns serve as a metaphor for understanding and obedience.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Israel, the turtledove was a common bird, easily recognizable by its soft, plaintive call. Its migratory nature made it a symbol of the changing seasons, and its presence was a reminder of God's provision and the cycles of life. The bird's gentle demeanor and monogamous mating habits further contributed to its representation of love and devotion.
The use of turtledoves in sacrificial practices also reflects the broader biblical theme of substitutionary atonement, where the innocent bears the burden of sin on behalf of the guilty. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, like the turtledove, was pure and blameless.
In summary, the turtledove in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol, representing purity, sacrifice, love, and faithfulness. Its presence in both the Old and New Testaments underscores its enduring significance in the spiritual and cultural life of the biblical world.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Turtle-dove
Its peculiar peaceful and gentle habit its often referred to in Scripture. A pair was offered in sacrifice by Mary at her purification (Luke 2:24). The pigeon and the turtle-dove were the only birds permitted to be offered in sacrifice (Leviticus 1:14;5:7;14:22;15:14, 29, etc.). The Latin name of this bird, turtur, is derived from its note, and is a repetition of the Hebrew name tor. Three species are found in Palestine, (1) the turtle-dove (Turtur auritus), (2) the collared turtle (T. risorius), and (3) the palm turtle (T. Senegalensis). But it is to the first of these species which the various passages of Scripture refer. It is a migratory bird (Jeremiah 8:7; Cant. 2:11, 12). "Search the glades and valleys, even by sultry Jordan, at the end of March, and not a turtle-dove is to be seen. Return in the second week of April, and clouds of doves are feeding on the clovers of the plain. They overspread the whole face of the land." "Immediately on its arrival it pours forth from every garden, grove, and wooded hill its melancholy yet soothing ditty unceasingly from early dawn till sunset. It is from its plaintive and continuous note, doubtless, that David, pouring forth his heart's sorrow to God, compares himself to a turtle-dove" (Psalm 74:19).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Any one of numerous species of pigeons belonging to Turtur and allied genera, native of various parts of the Old World; especially, the common European species (Turtur vulgaris), which is noted for its plaintive note, affectionate disposition, and devotion to its mate.
2. (n.) Any one of several species of pigeons more or less resembling the true turtledoves, as the American mourning dove (see under Dove), and the Australian turtledove (Stictopelia cuneata).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TURTLE-DOVEtur'-t'-l-duv.
SeeDOVE.
Greek
5167. trugon -- aturtledove... a
turtledove. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: trugon Phonetic Spelling:
(troo-gone') Short Definition: a turtle-dove Definition: a turtle-dove.
...Strong's Hebrew
8449. tor --turtledovetor or tor. 8448, 8449. tor or tor. 8450 .
turtledove. Transliteration: tor
or tor Phonetic Spelling: (tore) Short Definition: turtledoves.
...Library
On the Animals
... [Ps.67(68):14(13)]. The nest is the church, the high peace of the blessed; in the
psalm: and theturtledove is in its nest where it places its chicks....
Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which...
... oxen, sheep and goats; of birds, generally theturtledove and the dove; but specially,
in the cleansing of a leper, an offering was made of sparrows....
The Dedication
... As an offering for the mother, the law required a lamb of the first year for a burnt
offering, and a young pigeon or aturtledove for a sin offering....
Chapter i
... Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.9. Thy
cheeks are comely as aturtledove's; thy neck as jewels.11....
God's Covenant with Abram
... And He said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three
years old, and a ram of three years old, and aturtledove, and a young...
Chapter xv
... 9, 10. And He said to him: Take me a three year old heifer, a three year old
she-goat, a three year old ram and aturtledove and a young pigeon....
Of the Times of Moses and Joshua the Son of Nun, of the Judges...
... appeared abundance of sins, and the beginning of the earthly kingdom arose, in which
there were not lacking spiritual men, of whom theturtledove and pigeon...
The Nile and Egypt
... Some of them"theturtledove, the magpie, the kingfisher, the partridge, and the
sparrow-may be classed with our European species, while others betray their...
Thesaurus
Turtledove (5 Occurrences)... of pigeons more or less resembling the true turtledoves, as the American mourning
dove (see under Dove), and the Australian
turtledove (Stictopelia cuneata).
...Turtle (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) Theturtledove.... The time of the singing has
come, and the voice of theturtledove is heard in our land....
Pigeon (3 Occurrences)
... her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb
a year old for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon, or aturtledove, for a...
Dove (27 Occurrences)
... Genesis 15:9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three
years old, a ram three years old, aturtledove, and a young pigeon." (Root...
Turtle-dove (5 Occurrences)
Turtle-dove.Turtledove, Turtle-dove. Turtledoves . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Turtle-dove.... (ASV DBY).Turtledove, Turtle-dove. Turtledoves . Reference
Purifying (17 Occurrences)
... are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first
year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or aturtledove, for a sin...
Ram (96 Occurrences)
... Genesis 15:9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three
years old, a ram three years old, aturtledove, and a young pigeon." (WEB...
Purification (25 Occurrences)
... a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the door of the Tent of Meeting, a
year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or aturtledove, for a...
Crane (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 8:7 Yes, the stork in the sky knows her appointed times; and theturtledove
and the swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my...
Female (95 Occurrences)
... Genesis 15:9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three
years old, a ram three years old, aturtledove, and a young pigeon." (WEB...
Resources
What is Candlemas? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a burnt offering? | GotQuestions.orgTurtledove: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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