Doves hold significant symbolism and meaning throughout the Bible, often representing peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit. These gentle birds are mentioned in various contexts, from sacrificial offerings to divine manifestations.

Symbol of Peace and Purity

Doves are frequently associated with peace and purity in the Scriptures. In Genesis 8:8-12, Noah sends out a dove from the ark to see if the waters had receded from the earth. The dove returns with an olive leaf, signaling the end of God's judgment through the flood and the restoration of peace between God and humanity. This imagery has endured as a universal symbol of peace.

Sacrificial Offerings

In the Mosaic Law, doves were used as sacrificial offerings, particularly for those who could not afford more expensive animals like lambs. Leviticus 1:14-17 describes the procedure for offering a dove or a young pigeon as a burnt offering, emphasizing the accessibility of worship and atonement for all people, regardless of their economic status. Similarly, in Leviticus 5:7, a dove or pigeon is prescribed as a sin offering for those who cannot afford a lamb, highlighting God's provision for the poor.

Manifestation of the Holy Spirit

The New Testament presents the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. At the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove. Matthew 3:16 states, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him." This event marks the divine approval of Jesus' ministry and the presence of the Holy Spirit, reinforcing the dove's association with purity and divine presence.

Gentleness and Harmlessness

Jesus uses the nature of doves to teach His disciples about the virtues of gentleness and harmlessness. In Matthew 10:16 , He instructs, "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Here, the dove's innocence is contrasted with the cunning of serpents, encouraging believers to navigate the world with wisdom and purity.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, doves were often associated with love and fertility, and they were commonly found in the region. Their presence in biblical narratives reflects both their physical abundance and their symbolic significance. The use of doves in religious rituals and their appearance in key biblical events underscore their importance in conveying spiritual truths.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, doves serve as powerful symbols of peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit. Their role in sacrificial offerings, divine manifestations, and teachings of Jesus highlights their enduring significance in the biblical narrative.Doves

Were clean according to the Mosaic ritual, and were offered in sacrifice, especially by the poor, Genesis 15:9 Le 5:7 12:6-8 Luke 2:24. Several kinds of doves or pigeons frequented the Holy Land; and the immense flocks of them sometimes witnessed illustrate a passage in Isaiah 60:8. They are symbols of simplicity, innocence, and fidelity, Hosea 7:11 Matthew 10:16. The dove was the chosen harbinger of God's returning favor after the flood, Genesis 8:1-22, and was honored as an emblem of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 3:16. See TURTLEDOVE.

1111. gogguzo -- to mutter, murmur
... 1111 (an onomatopoetic term imitating the sound of cooing doves) -- to murmur or
mutter (grumble) with muffled undertones; (figuratively) murmur, grumble; to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1111.htm - 7k

4058. peristera -- a dove
... dove, pigeon. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a dove NASB Word
Usage dove (4), doves (5), pigeons (1). dove, pigeon. Of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4058.htm - 6k

1234. diagogguzo -- to murmur among themselves
... 1234 (an onomatopoetic term imitating the sound of cooing doves and humming bees) --
constantly, intensely (grumble, complain) -- an intensified form of 1111 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1234.htm - 7k

2755. chare yonim -- doves' dung
... 2754, 2755. chare yonim. 2756 . doves' dung. Transliteration: chare yonim Phonetic
Spelling: (khar-ay'-yo-neem') Short Definition: dung. ... doves' dung ...
/hebrew/2755.htm - 6k

3123. yonah -- dove
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition dove NASB Word Usage dove (13),
dove's (1), doves (8), pigeon (1), pigeons (9). dove, pigeon. ...
/hebrew/3123.htm - 6k

How St Francis Tamed the Wild Doves
... PART ONE. HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER
XXII HOW ST FRANCIS TAMED THE WILD DOVES. A certain young ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxii how st francis.htm

Behold, Thou Art Fair, My Love; Behold, Thou Art Fair; Thou Hast ...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 14. Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou
art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. The Well-beloved beholding ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/14 behold thou art fair.htm

Monitions of Christ to the Apostles in Regard to Prudence in their ...
... Section 182. Monitions of Christ to the Apostles in regard to Prudence in their
Ministry."(1.) The Wisdom of Serpents and Harmlessness of Doves. ...
/.../section 182 monitions of christ.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. x. 16, "Behold, I Send You Forth ...
... What manner of conflict hath He prescribed? "Be ye," saith He, "wise as serpents,
and simple as doves." [2216] Whoso understandeth, and holdeth to this, may ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xiv on the words.htm

The Ministry of Love, the Blasphemy of Hatred, and the Mistakes of ...
... [2736] Indeed, all that district seems to have been engaged in this industry. [2737]
It was also reputed for its traffic in turtle-doves and pigeons for ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxii the ministry of.htm

Discrepancy of the Gospel Narratives Connected with the Cleansing ...
... "And Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [5049] And He found in the temple those that sold
oxen and sheep and doves and the changers of money sitting; and He made a ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/15 discrepancy of the gospel.htm

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
... It was in this outer or Gentiles' court that the markets described in this section
were held] Those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxiv jesus attends the first.htm

The Story of the Purging of the Temple Spiritualized. Taken ...
... on what is sincere and pure and unmixed with any bitterness or gall, and who, for
the sake of miserable gain, betray the care of those tropically called doves. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/16 the story of the.htm

Of Meditation --The First Degree of Prayer or Mystical Theology.
... For, my dear Theotimus, if ever you took notice of it, the young swallows open their
beaks very wide in their chirping, and, on the contrary, doves, above all ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii of meditationthe first.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... Those that sold oxen and sheep and doves. ... The traffic in these and the victims required
for sacrifices, oxen, sheep, kids and doves, became an enormous one. ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the cleansing of the temple.htm

Doves (25 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Doves (25 Occurrences). ... Therefore be wise as serpents,
and harmless as doves. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/doves.htm - 14k

Turtle-doves (10 Occurrences)
Turtle-doves. Turtledoves, Turtle-doves. Turtles . Multi-Version
Concordance Turtle-doves (10 Occurrences). Luke 2:24 ...
/t/turtle-doves.htm - 9k

Pigeon (3 Occurrences)
... all times. The doves were migratory, and were kept in confinement only as
caged pets or to be held for sale for sacrifice. For these ...
/p/pigeon.htm - 13k

Suffice (22 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:7 And if his means suffice not for a lamb, then he shall bring his
trespass-offering for that wherein he hath sinned, two turtle-doves, or two ...
/s/suffice.htm - 13k

Trading (24 Occurrences)
... 12 And Jesus went into the Temple and sent out all who were trading there, overturning
the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those trading in doves...
/t/trading.htm - 13k

Sold (92 Occurrences)
... temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and
overthrew the money changers' tables and the seats of those who sold the doves...
/s/sold.htm - 35k

Dove (27 Occurrences)
... In their wild state doves generally build their nests in the clefts of rocks,
but when domesticated "dove-cots" are prepared for them (Cant. ...
/d/dove.htm - 28k

Tables (41 Occurrences)
... temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and
overthrew the money changers' tables and the seats of those who sold the doves...
/t/tables.htm - 20k

Changers (5 Occurrences)
... temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and
overthrew the money changers' tables and the seats of those who sold the doves...
/c/changers.htm - 8k

Seats (40 Occurrences)
... temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and
overthrew the money changers' tables and the seats of those who sold the doves...
/s/seats.htm - 19k

What does it mean to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)? | GotQuestions.org

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