Fig. 333—Turtledove
Turtledove occurs in Gen 15:9; Lev 1:14; Lev 5:7; Lev 5:11, etc.; Luk 2:24.
The birds of this subgenus are invariably smaller than pigeons properly so called; they are mostly marked with a patch of peculiarly colored scutellated feathers on the neck, or with a collar of black, and have often other markings on the smaller wing-covers. The species Columba Turtur, with several varieties merely of color, extends from the west of Europe through the north of Africa, to the islands south of China. The turtledove of Palestine is specifically the same; but there is also a second, we believe local: both migrate further south in winter, but return very early; when their cooing voice in the woods announces the spring. In the rites of the Hebrew law, full-grown or old turtledoves might be offered in pairs, but, only the young of pigeons not full grown. They were the usual offering of the poor, a circumstance, Bochart remarks, indicating the humble station of the Virgin Mary, since at her purification she offered a pair of turtledoves instead of a lamb.
TURTLEDOVE.—See Animals in vol. i. p. 65b.
Lev 1:14 (c) This bird probably is used to indicate a very small and narrow view of the person of CHRIST as our sacrifice. It is almost the smallest of all the offerings. The sparrow is the only one that is smaller. The lamb was a larger offering and indicates a more comprehensive view of the value of CHRIST in His sacrificial work. The bullock is the largest of the offerings, and indicates a wide and deep knowledge of the work and the person of the Lord JESUS in His sacrifice for us. Thus the Lord makes provision for every kind of person, none needs to be excluded.
Psa 74:19 (b) It is typical of the weakness felt by GOD’s people in the presence of their enemies.
See Dove
A turtledove is a type of small wild pigeon. Turtledoves are known for their gentle cooing sound. In the Bible, they were often offered as sacrifices, especially by people who could not afford larger animals (Leviticus 5:7).
See Pigeon.
Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.