Pigeon
NatureWhat is the meaning of Pigeon in the Bible?
Pigeons and doves were domesticated by ancient peoples for meat and communication, while wild varieties inhabited local environments. In biblical contexts, these birds served as accessible sacrificial offerings for those unable to afford larger livestock, with the dove frequently cited in ritual purity laws.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the pigeon and dove clarifies the economic and ritual accessibility of Old Testament sacrifices, illustrating how the law accommodated the poor, and highlights their symbolic role in New Testament narratives of purity and the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Pigeon in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pigeon clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.