Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4600 Living beings  »  4636 dove

A common species of bird. In Scripture the dove symbolises the Spirit of God, and also certain kinds of human behaviour.

A kind of bird

Genesis 8:8-12; Songs 2:12; Jeremiah 8:7

Doves as sacrifices for those who were poor

Leviticus 5:7 See also Genesis 15:9; Leviticus 1:14; Leviticus 5:11; Leviticus 12:6-8; Leviticus 14:22,30; Leviticus 15:14,29; Numbers 6:10; Matthew 21:12 pp Mark 11:15; Luke 2:24; John 2:14

“Dove” as a term of endearment

Songs 2:14; Songs 5:2; Songs 6:9

Israel as God's “dove”

Psalm 68:13; Psalm 74:19

“Dove” used figuratively

Psalm 55:6; Songs 1:15; Songs 4:1; Songs 5:12; Isaiah 38:14; Isaiah 59:11; Jeremiah 48:28; Ezekiel 7:16; Hosea 7:11; Hosea 11:11; Nahum 2:7; Matthew 10:16

The dove as a symbol of the Spirit of God

Matthew 3:16 pp Mark 1:10 pp Luke 3:22 pp John 1:32-34

See also

1670  symbols
2510  Christ, baptism of
3120  Holy Spirit, descriptions
3269  Holy Spirit in Christ
4612  birds
4678  pigeon
7435  sacrifice, in OT
8264  gentleness
8277  innocence
8299  love in relationships