Biblical References:
The turtledove, often simply referred to as "turtle" in older English translations, is a bird frequently mentioned in the Bible. It is noted for its gentle and mournful cooing, symbolizing innocence and purity. The turtledove is specifically mentioned in the context of sacrificial offerings and is associated with themes of love and devotion.

Sacrificial Offerings:
In the Mosaic Law, the turtledove was one of the birds permitted for sacrifice, particularly for those who could not afford larger animals. In Leviticus 1:14 , it is stated, "If, however, his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon." This provision highlights the accessibility of worship and atonement for all economic classes within Israelite society. The turtledove's role in sacrificial rites is further emphasized in Leviticus 5:7 and Leviticus 12:8, where it is offered as a sin offering and a purification offering, respectively.

Symbol of Love and Devotion:
The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating love, mentions the turtledove as a herald of spring and renewal. In Song of Solomon 2:12 , it is written, "The flowers have appeared in the countryside; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land." This imagery associates the turtledove with the beauty and renewal of love, reflecting its gentle and faithful nature.

Prophetic and Poetic Imagery:
The turtledove is also used in prophetic and poetic contexts to convey themes of lamentation and longing. In Jeremiah 8:7 , the prophet uses the turtledove to illustrate the natural order and the people's failure to recognize God's timing: "Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the turtledove, swift, and thrush observe the time of their migration. But My people do not know the requirements of the LORD." Here, the turtledove serves as a metaphor for understanding and obedience to divine order.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the turtledove was a common bird, known for its migratory patterns and distinctive call. Its presence in biblical texts reflects its familiarity to the people of Israel and its symbolic resonance in their religious and cultural life. The turtledove's gentle nature and its role in sacrificial practices underscore its significance as a symbol of humility and devotion.

Conclusion:
The turtledove, as depicted in the Bible, embodies themes of sacrifice, love, and divine order. Its repeated mention in both legal and poetic texts highlights its importance in the spiritual and cultural life of ancient Israel. Through its gentle presence, the turtledove continues to symbolize purity, devotion, and the enduring call to recognize and respond to God's timing and requirements.Turtledove Turtle

Turtur auritus (Heb. tor). The name is phonetic, evidently derived from the plaintive cooing of the bird. It is one of the smaller members of the group of birds which ornithologists usually call pigeons . The turtle-dove occurs first in Scripture in (Genesis 15:9) In the Levitical law a pair of turtle-doves or of young pigeons are constantly prescribed as a substitute for those who were too poor to provide a lamb or a kid. The offering of two young pigeons must have been one easily within the reach of the poorest. The admission of a pair of turtle-doves was perhaps a yet further concession to extreme poverty, for they were extremely numerous, and their young might easily be found and captured by those who did not possess pigeons. In the valley of the Jordan, an allied species, the palm-dove (so named because it builds its nest in the palm tree), or Egyptian turtle-- Turtur aegyptiacus , Temm.--is by no means uncommon. It is not improbable that the palm-dove may in some measure have supplied the sacrifice in the wilderness, for it is found in amazing numbers wherever the palm tree occurs, whether wild or cultivated. From its habit of pairing for life, and its fidelity to its mate, the turtle-dove was a symbol of purity and an appropriate offering. The regular migration of the turtle-dove and its return in the spring are alluded to in (Jeremiah 8:7) and Song 2:11,12 It is from its plaintive note doubtless that David in (Psalms 74:19) pouring forth his lament to God, compares himself to a turtle-dove.

5167. trugon -- a turtledove
... turtle-dove. Word Origin from truzo (to murmur, coo) Definition a turtledove
NASB Word Usage turtledoves (1). turtle-dove. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5167.htm - 6k8449. tor -- turtledove
... Usage turtledove (5), turtledoves (9). estate. Or tor {tore}; probably the same
as towr; a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment -- (turtle) ...
/hebrew/8449.htm - 6k

On the Animals
... The turtledove is the Holy Spirit or the blessed man or spiritual intelligence;
in the Song of Songs: the voice of the turtle was heard in our land. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/iv on the animals.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... Some of them"the turtledove, the magpie, the kingfisher, the partridge, and the ... the
of the Nile, including two kinds of Alestes, the elled turtle, the Bagrus ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

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