God made an awful lot of birds. Currently, one list records some 11,000+ species, while others estimate the number should be more like 20,000+. But apparently the Creator wanted to make one particular bird that would have multiple characteristics that he could use to illustrate several facets of his nature and character.
That bird is the dove—also referred to as a pigeon. From Noah’s land-finding bird to the Levitical Laws economy-alternative sacrifice to the symbol of the Holy Spirit in the early ministry of Jesus, the dove appears repeatedly.
So, what about doves make them unique in the bird world? Having never looked at doves up close before, I found some very interesting things:
- Doves are known for their calm and peaceful nature. Unlike many other bird species, they are less aggressive and more social, thriving in pairs or flocks.
- Doves produce soft, melodic cooing sounds that are distinct and often associated with peace, and each dove species has its own cooing patterns.
- Both male and female doves produce “crop milk,” a nutrient-rich secretion from their crop lining, to feed their young.
- Doves are monogamous and often mate for life. They exhibit strong pair bonds and work together as devoted parents to raise their young.
- Mourning doves, in particular, can fly at speeds of up to 55 mph, unusual for birds of their size. (They were even raced in Old Testament times–something the rabbis tried to discourage!)
- Doves build minimal nests using just a few twigs or grass stems, which are fragile compared to the nests of other birds.
- Doves are excellent navigators, using the Earth’s magnetic field and the position of the sun to find their way.
So, let’s see how many of these qualities are manifest in the use of the dove as a symbol—metaphor?—in the Bible.
The doves of Genesis
From the first chapter of Genesis (1:2), early Jewish scholars liken the “Spirit hovering over the waters” to the hovering of a dove. Then, further into Genesis (8:8), Noah sent out a dove to test if the flood waters had receded from the earth. Note: as mentioned above, doves are excellent navigators. Also note: earlier, Noah had sent out a raven—a carrion-eating bird—which was apparently distracted by some floating “meals” nearby.
Beauty, purity, and tender affection
In the Song of Solomon, the lover refers to his lover as a dove. “My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, pure to her who bore her.” (Song of Solomon 6:9). Here, the dove represents beauty, faithfulness, and innocence. As mentioned above, doves mate for life, making them apt symbols for devoted love. Their soft cooing and graceful appearance made them natural metaphors for romantic beauty in ancient Near Eastern poetry.
Humble, sinless offering
Doves were the only option for Israelites of modest means who could not otherwise afford a sin offering in the Levitical system (Leviticus 5:7). The most famous instance of this sacrifice appears in Luke 2:24, where Mary and Joseph offer two doves at the Temple for Mary’s post-birth purification, highlighting their humble status.
Symbol of the Holy Spirit
Later in Jesus’ life, the Holy Spirit is depicted as descending like a dove upon Jesus during his baptism (Matthew 3:16). The dove represents the Holy Spirit’s purity, gentleness, and peaceful nature. This imagery reinforces the idea that the Holy Spirit symbolizes peace, purity, and God’s presence and approval.
Be a snake . . . be a dove
Jesus uses a double-barreled animal metaphor (or actually, triple-barreled, if there is such a thing) when instructing his disciples about living in the world: “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be … wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). Commentators would define “harmless as simple, unsophisticated, sincere, blameless, unmixed, or innocent.” This verse has always intrigued me, as it appears to tell us to be two opposite things. Basically, be smart and dumb. Wise and foolish. But being innocent, simple, and unsophisticated doesn’t automatically equate with stupid and naive. Another verse may help clarify: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15).
So, throughout Scripture, the dove serves as a powerful metaphor: In Genesis, it symbolizes hope and renewal; at Jesus’ baptism, it represents the Holy Spirit and divine approval; in Song of Solomon, it embodies faithful and gentle love; and, as a sacrificial animal, it stands for purity, atonement, and humility.
The dove’s presence in the Bible reflects the very nature of God’s relationship with His people: peaceful, pure, faithful, and ever seeking restoration.