Turtle-Dove
NatureWhat is the meaning of Turtle-Dove in the Bible?
The turtle-dove is a bird species mentioned in Leviticus 1:14 and other biblical passages, often used as an offering to God. It is also associated with the dove that Noah released after the flood.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the turtle-dove as a common, affordable sacrificial animal clarifies the economic accessibility of temple rituals for the poor, while its role in the Noah narrative underscores themes of peace and divine reconciliation.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Turtle-Dove were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Turtle-Dove in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Turtle-Dove clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Leviticus 1:14
Related Topics
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Turtle-Dove." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/turtledove/