The Dove

Illustration of The Dove

The dove is Scripture's emblem of peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit. A dove brought Noah an olive leaf, the first sign that the flood was receding and judgment had passed into peace. The poor offered doves as sacrifices, Jesus called his disciples to be 'harmless as doves,' and at his baptism the Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove - forever linking the bird to gentleness and the presence of God.

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Strongest connections in Scripture
Genesis 8

Key Passages

The Dove Returns to Noah

Genesis 8:8-12

Noah's dove returns with an olive leaf, the first sign that the waters of judgment have receded.

A8lso he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;

9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. 10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. 12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

Explore Related

Characters

Noah Noah was a righteous man living in an era of widespread human wickedness and corruption, prompting God toโ€ฆ Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ

Places

Mount Ararat Mount Ararat is identified in the Bible as the location where Noah's ark came to rest after the waters ofโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

A dove brought Noah an olive leaf - the first sign the flood was ending.

2

The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus 'like a dove' at his baptism.

3

Doves were the offering the poor could bring - what Mary and Joseph gave for Jesus.

4

Jesus told his disciples to be 'harmless as doves.'