In their wild state doves generally build their nests in the clefts of rocks, but when domesticated "dove-cots" are prepared for them (Cant
2:14 ;
Jeremiah 48:28 ;
Isaiah 60:8 ). The dove was placed on the standards of the Assyrians and Babylonians in honour, it is supposed, of Semiramis (
Jeremiah 25:38 ; Vulg., "fierceness of the dove;" Compare
Jeremiah 46:16 ;
50:16 ). Doves and turtle-doves were the only birds that could be offered in sacrifice, as they were clean according to the Mosaic law (
Genesis 15:9 ;
Leviticus 5:7 ;
12:6 ;
Luke 2:24 ). The dove was the harbinger of peace to Noah (
Genesis 8:8 Genesis 8:10 ). It is often mentioned as the emblem of purity (
Psalms 68:13 ). It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (
Genesis 1:2 ;
Matthew 3:16 ;
Mark 1:10 ;
Luke 3:22 ;
John 1:32 ); also of tender and devoted affection (Cant
1:15 ;
2:14 ). David in his distress wished that he had the wings of a dove, that he might fly away and be at rest (
Psalms 55:6-8 ). There is a species of dove found at Damascus "whose feathers, all except the wings, are literally as yellow as gold" (
68:13 ).
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.