Turtle-Dove

Or Turtle, the Columba Turtur; a distinct bird from the common dove or pigeon, smaller and differently marked, and having a soft and plaintive note, Isa 59:11 Eze 7:16 . It is a bird of passage, Jer 8:7, leaving Palestine for a short trip to the south, and returning early in spring, Son 2:12 . It is timid and fond of seclusion, and pines in captivity, Psa 11:1 . The law allowed it as a burnt or sin-offering by the poor, Lev 1:14 5:7 Mat 21:22, and in several cases of purification, etc., Lev 12:6-8 14:22 Nu 6:10 Luk 2:24 . Before the giving of the law, Abraham offered birds, which he divided the other victims he left the birds entire, Gen 15:9 .\par

Turtle-dove. Turtur auritus. (Hebrew, 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 Gen 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 Jer 8:7, and Son 2:11-12. It is from its plaintive note doubtless that David, in Psa 74:19, pouring forth his lament to God, compares himself to a turtle-dove.

tor; Latin, tur-tur, from imitation of its cooing note. Abraham’s offering (Gen 15:9) with a young pigeon (gozal). A pair was the poor man’s substitute for the lamb or kid, as trespass, sin, or burnt offering (Lev 12:6); so the Virgin mother for her purification, through poverty (Luk 2:24; 2Co 8:9). Also in the case of a Nazarite accidentally defiled by a dead body (Num 6:10). Owing to its being migratory and timid, the turtle was never domesticated as the pigeon; but being numerous, and building its nest in gardens, it afforded its young as an easy prey to those who did not own even pigeons. The palm dove, Turtur Aegyptiacus, probably supplied the sacrifices in Israel’s desert journey, for its nests abound in palms on oases. Its habit of pairing for life, and its love to its mate, made it a symbol of purity and so a suitable offering.

Jeremiah (Jer 8:7) makes its return at its proper time in spring a tacit reproof of Israel who know not the seasonable time of returning to Him when the "winter" of His wrath is past and He invites them back to the "spring" of His favor. Christ in inviting His people to gospel hopes from past legalism ("the winter is past": Mat 4:16; 1Jn 2:8; also past estrangement through sin, Isa 44:22; Jer 50:20; 2Co 5:17) says "the voice of the turtle is heard in the land" (Son 2:11-12). the emblem of love and so of the Holy Spirit. Love is the keynote of the new song of the redeemed (Rev 1:5; Rev 14:3; Rev 19:6; Isa 35:10).

The turtle dove represents "the congregation of God’s poor" which the psalmist (Psa 74:19) prays God not to deliver "unto the wild beasts" (Septuagint, Vulgate, Arabic), or "to the greedy host" (Maurer). The turtle marks the return of spring still more than other singing birds, for it alone unceasingly sings from morn until sunset. The Turtur auritus abounds in Palestine; plaintive tender melancholy characterizes its note. The turtle is smaller, more slender and elegant, than the pigeon. It is also distinguished by having the tall feathers graduated in length, and forming together a wedge in shape; the first quill feather of the wing is narrow and pointed. A black band passes nearly round the neck of the collared species, which is of a pale hue. From its prevalence in N. Africa it is called the Barbary dove.

Turtle-Dove. Psa 74:19. By the Jewish law the poor who could not afford a more costly sacrifice were permitted to bring two turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Lev 12:6-8. As the former are not domesticated and breed everywhere in prodigious numbers, this provision was a great boon to the needy. The outward circumstances of Christ’s parents are thus indicated in Luk 2:24.

See DOVE:

TURTLE DOVE.—See Dove.

tûr´t’l-duv. See DOVE.