In the context of the Bible, the term "turtle" typically refers to the "turtledove," a bird that is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures. The turtledove is a symbol of purity, innocence, and devotion, often associated with love and the changing seasons. It is important to note that the term "turtle" in the King James Version and other translations is an archaic reference to the turtledove, not the reptile known today as a turtle.

Biblical References:

1. Sacrificial Offerings:
The turtledove is mentioned in the context of sacrificial offerings. In the Mosaic Law, turtledoves were acceptable as offerings for those who could not afford more expensive animals. This provision highlights God's compassion and inclusivity, allowing all people, regardless of their economic status, to participate in worship and atonement rituals. In Leviticus 1:14 , it is written: "If his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon."

2. Symbol of Love and Devotion:
The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating love and marriage, references the turtledove as a symbol of love and fidelity. In Song of Solomon 2:12 , the arrival of spring is marked by the voice of the turtledove: "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 evokes the renewal of life and the beauty of romantic love.

3. Seasonal Change:
The turtledove is also associated with the changing of seasons, particularly the arrival of spring. Jeremiah 8:7 uses the turtledove to illustrate the natural order and the faithfulness of God's creation: "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."

4. Purity and Innocence:
In the New Testament, the turtledove is mentioned in the context of the purification rites following the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph, adhering to the Law of Moses, offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons as a sacrifice. This act is recorded in Luke 2:24 : "and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: 'A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.'"

Cultural and Religious Significance:

The turtledove holds a significant place in Jewish and Christian traditions. Its gentle nature and monogamous behavior make it a fitting symbol of faithfulness and devotion. The use of turtledoves in sacrificial offerings underscores the importance of humility and accessibility in worship, allowing even the poorest individuals to present offerings to God.

In summary, the turtledove in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol representing love, purity, and the cyclical nature of life. Its presence in both the Old and New Testaments highlights its enduring significance in the spiritual and cultural life of the biblical world.Turtle-dove

Its peculiar peaceful and gentle habit its often referred to in Scripture. A pair was offered in sacrifice by Mary at her purification (Luke 2:24). The pigeon and the turtle-dove were the only birds permitted to be offered in sacrifice (Leviticus 1:14; 5:7; 14:22; 15:14, 29, etc.). The Latin name of this bird, turtur, is derived from its note, and is a repetition of the Hebrew name tor. Three species are found in Palestine, (1) the turtle-dove (Turtur auritus), (2) the collared turtle (T. risorius), and (3) the palm turtle (T. Senegalensis). But it is to the first of these species which the various passages of Scripture refer. It is a migratory bird (Jeremiah 8:7; Cant. 2:11, 12). "Search the glades and valleys, even by sultry Jordan, at the end of March, and not a turtle-dove is to be seen. Return in the second week of April, and clouds of doves are feeding on the clovers of the plain. They overspread the whole face of the land." "Immediately on its arrival it pours forth from every garden, grove, and wooded hill its melancholy yet soothing ditty unceasingly from early dawn till sunset. It is from its plaintive and continuous note, doubtless, that David, pouring forth his heart's sorrow to God, compares himself to a turtle-dove" (Psalm 74:19).

1. (n.) The turtledove.

2. (n.) Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata, especially a sea turtle, or chelonian.

3. (n.) The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.

5167. trugon -- a turtledove
... a turtledove. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: trugon Phonetic Spelling:
(troo-gone') Short Definition: a turtle-dove Definition: a turtle-dove. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5167.htm - 6k8450. tor -- a bullock
... cattle. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to shor Definition a bullock
NASB Word Usage bulls (3), cattle (4). turtle dove. (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/8450.htm - 6k

8449. tor -- turtledove
... estate. Or tor {tore}; probably the same as towr; a ring-dove, often (figuratively)
as a term of endearment -- (turtle) dove. see HEBREW towr. 8448, 8449. ...
/hebrew/8449.htm - 6k

The Boy and the Turtle
... THE BOY AND THE TURTLE. Theodore Parker was one of the greatest preachers
America ever had, and this story is told of him as a boy. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/the boy and the turtle.htm

Thy Cheeks are Comely as a Turtle Dove's; Thy Neck as Jewels.
... CHAPTER I. 9. Thy cheeks are comely as a turtle dove's; thy neck as jewels. The
cheeks signify the interior and exterior; they are comely as a turtle dove's. ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/9 thy cheeks are comely.htm

The Flowers have Appeared on the Earth; the Pruning Time is Come ...
... CHAPTER II. 12. The flowers have appeared on the earth; the pruning time
is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/12 the flowers have appeared.htm

Whether Christ was Becomingly Presented in the Temple?
... 29). It was therefore more fitting that a lamb should be offered for Christ
than "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.". ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was becomingly presented.htm

Lukewarmness.
... condition. He is very much like the Irishman's turtle. I ... Some Irishmen
had caught a large turtle and cut off his head. Then they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/lukewarmness.htm

Of the Meaning of the Sacrifice Abraham was Commanded to Offer ...
... inherit it, God said to him, "Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she-goat
of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 24 of the meaning of.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... The sin-offering was, in all cases, a turtle-dove or a young pigeon. But,
while the more wealthy brought a lamb for a burnt-offering ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

Preface
... the memory of men one whose memory may be blessed[121] to all who shall deign to
read; if while I rouse my sleeping friend, the voice of the turtle be heard in ...
/.../lawlor/st bernard of clairvauxs life of st malachy of armagh/preface.htm

Song of Songs of Solomon
... 8. I have compared thee, O my love, to my company of horsemen in Pharaoh's chariots.
9. Thy cheeks are comely as a turtle dove's; thy neck as jewels. 10. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/

Chapter ii.
... The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come,
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 12. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter ii.htm

Turtle-dove (5 Occurrences)
Turtle-dove. Turtledove, Turtle-dove. Turtledoves . Easton's Bible
Dictionary Turtle-dove. Its peculiar peaceful and ...
/t/turtle-dove.htm - 9k

Turtle (5 Occurrences)
...Turtle-dove. ... The pigeon and the turtle-dove were the only birds permitted to be offered
in sacrifice (Leviticus 1:14; 5:7; 14:22; 15:14, 29, etc.). ...
/t/turtle.htm - 9k

Turtle-doves (10 Occurrences)
Turtle-doves. Turtledoves, Turtle-doves. Turtles . Multi-Version
Concordance Turtle-doves (10 Occurrences). Luke 2:24 ...
/t/turtle-doves.htm - 9k

Turtledove (5 Occurrences)
...Turtle-dove. ... The pigeon and the turtle-dove were the only birds permitted to be offered
in sacrifice (Leviticus 1:14; 5:7; 14:22; 15:14, 29, etc.). ...
/t/turtledove.htm - 10k

Suffice (22 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:7 And if his means suffice not for a lamb, then he shall bring his
trespass-offering for that wherein he hath sinned, two turtle-doves, or two ...
/s/suffice.htm - 13k

Dove (27 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/d/dove.htm - 28k

Turtledoves (10 Occurrences)

/t/turtledoves.htm - 9k

Pigeon (3 Occurrences)
... in Genesis 15:9: "And he said unto him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a
she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a ...
/p/pigeon.htm - 13k

Sin-offering (115 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:7 And if his means suffice not for a lamb, then he shall bring his
trespass-offering for that wherein he hath sinned, two turtle-doves, or two ...
/s/sin-offering.htm - 38k

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 1:14 And if his oblation to Jehovah be a burnt-offering of birds, then
he shall offer his oblation of turtle-doves, or of young pigeons. ...
/b/burnt-offering.htm - 38k

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