Dove in Easton's Bible Dictionary
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; Jer. 48:28; Isa. 60:8). The
dove was
placed on the standards of the Assyrians and
Babylonians in
honour, it is supposed, of Semiramis (Jer. 25:38;
Vulg.,
"fierceness of the dove;" comp. Jer. 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 (Ge.
15:9; Lev. 5:7; 12:6; Luke 2:24). The dove was the
harbinger of
peace to Noah (Gen. 8:8, 10). It is often mentioned
as the
emblem of purity (Ps. 68:13). It is a symbol of the
Holy Spirit
(Gen. 1:2; Matt. 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 (Ps. 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).
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