4058. peristera

Lexicon

peristera: Dove

Original Word: περιστερά
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: peristera
Pronunciation: pe-ris-te-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (per-is-ter-ah')
Definition: Dove
Meaning: a dove, pigeon.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

dove, pigeon.

Of uncertain derivation; a pigeon -- dove, pigeon.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
a dove
NASB Translation
dove (4), doves (5), pigeons (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4058: περιστερά

περιστερά, περιστεράς, ἡ, Hebrew יונָה, a dove: Matthew 3:16; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 21:12; Mark 1:10; Mark 11:15; Luke 2:24; Luke 3:22; John 1:32; John 2:14, 16. (From Herodotus down.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word "περιστός" (peristos), meaning "surrounded" or "encompassed," possibly referring to the bird's circular flight patterns.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H3123 יוֹנָה (yonah): The Hebrew word for dove, used in similar contexts in the Old Testament, such as in the story of Noah and the sacrificial laws in Leviticus.
• H8449 תּוֹר (tor): Refers to a turtledove, often mentioned alongside doves in sacrificial contexts, as seen in Leviticus 1:14 and 5:7.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term "περιστερά" within the biblical narrative, highlighting its literal and symbolic significance across both Testaments.

Usage: The term "περιστερά" is used in the New Testament to refer to doves, both in literal and symbolic contexts. It appears in narratives involving sacrificial offerings and significant spiritual events.

Context: The Greek word "περιστερά" is prominently featured in the New Testament, where it is used to describe doves. In the Gospels, doves are mentioned in the context of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at His baptism. Matthew 3:16 (BSB) states, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him." This imagery signifies the purity and divine approval of Jesus' ministry.

Doves also appear in the context of temple sacrifices. In Luke 2:24 (BSB), Mary and Joseph offer a sacrifice "in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: 'A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.'" This offering was prescribed for those who could not afford a lamb, highlighting the dove's role in religious observance and its accessibility to all social classes.

Symbolically, the dove represents peace and reconciliation. In the Old Testament, the dove is a sign of hope and new beginnings, as seen in the account of Noah's Ark when a dove returns with an olive leaf (Genesis 8:11). This symbolism carries into the New Testament, where the dove embodies the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Forms and Transliterations

πειρστερά περιεσχισμένοι περιστερά περιστεραι περιστεραί περιστεραν περιστεράν περιστερὰν περιστερας περιστεράς περιστερὰς περιστερων περιστερών περιστερῶν περιστήθιον περιστολήν περιστόμιον περιστομίου περιστραφέντα περιστραφήσεται περίστυλα περίστυλοι περιστύλοις περίστυλον περιστύλου περισύρων περισχίζοντος περίτειχος περιτετειχισμένα peristerai peristeraí peristeran peristeràn peristeras peristerás peristeràs peristeron peristerôn peristerōn peristerō̂n

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 3:16 N-AFS
GRK: καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν καὶ ἐρχόμενον
NAS: descending as a dove [and] lighting
KJV: descending like a dove, and lighting
INT: descending as a dove and lighting

Matthew 10:16 N-NFP
GRK: ὡς αἱ περιστεραί
NAS: as serpents and innocent as doves.
KJV: harmless as doves.
INT: as the doves

Matthew 21:12 N-AFP
GRK: πωλούντων τὰς περιστεράς
NAS: of those who were selling doves.
KJV: the seats of them that sold doves,
INT: selling the doves

Mark 1:10 N-AFS
GRK: πνεῦμα ὡς περιστερὰν καταβαῖνον εἰς
NAS: like a dove descending
KJV: the Spirit like a dove descending upon
INT: Spirit as a dove descending upon

Mark 11:15 N-AFP
GRK: πωλούντων τὰς περιστερὰς κατέστρεψεν
NAS: of those who were selling doves;
KJV: of them that sold doves;
INT: selling the doves he overturned

Luke 2:24 N-GFP
GRK: δύο νοσσοὺς περιστερῶν
NAS: TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.
KJV: two young pigeons.
INT: two young pigeons

Luke 3:22 N-AFS
GRK: εἴδει ὡς περιστερὰν ἐπ' αὐτόν
NAS: form like a dove, and a voice came
KJV: shape like a dove upon him,
INT: form as a dove upon him

John 1:32 N-AFS
GRK: καταβαῖνον ὡς περιστερὰν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ
NAS: descending as a dove out of heaven,
KJV: heaven like a dove, and it abode
INT: descending as a dove out of heaven

John 2:14 N-AFP
GRK: πρόβατα καὶ περιστερὰς καὶ τοὺς
NAS: and sheep and doves, and the money changers
KJV: and doves, and
INT: sheep and doves and the

John 2:16 N-AFP
GRK: τοῖς τὰς περιστερὰς πωλοῦσιν εἶπεν
NAS: who were selling the doves He said,
KJV: unto them that sold doves, Take
INT: to those who doves sold he said

Strong's Greek 4058
10 Occurrences

περιστεραί — 1 Occ.
περιστερὰν — 4 Occ.
περιστεράς — 4 Occ.
περιστερῶν — 1 Occ.