Dove: In their wild state doves generally build their nests in the clefts of
rocks, but when domesticated "dove-cots" are prepared for them
(The Song of Solomon 2:14; Jeremiah 48:28; Isaiah 60:8) The dove was placed on the standards of
the Assyrians and Babylonians in honour, it is supposed, of Semiramis
(Jeremiah 25:38) Vulg., "fierceness of the dove;" comp.
(Jeremiah 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
(Genesis 15:9)
(Leviticus 5:7; 12:6; Luke 2:24) The dove was the harbinger of peace to Noah
(Genesis 8:8,10) It is often mentioned as the emblem of purity
(Psalms 68:13)
It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit
(Genesis 1:2; Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22)
(John 1:32) also of tender and devoted affection
(The Song of Solomon 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
(Psalms 55:6-8) There is a species of
dove found at Damascus "whose feathers, all except the wings, are
literally as yellow as gold"
(Psalms 68:13)
