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Bible Encyclopedias
Pigeon
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or is the rendering — but only in connection with the epithet "young" — of two very different Heb. and one Gr. word: יוֹנָה, yonah, περιστερά, a general name for any member of the dove family ("dove" everywhere, except in the Mosaic enactment, Leviticus 1:14; Leviticus 5:7; Leviticus 5:11; Leviticus 12:6; Leviticus 12:8; Leviticus 14:22; Leviticus 14:30; Leviticus 15:14; Leviticus 15:29; Numbers 6:10; Luke 2:24); but in Genesis 15:9, גּוֹזָל, gozal, the young of any bird, perhaps there correctly of the dove, although in Deuteronomy 32 the "young" of the eagle is meant. The Biblical passages in which the pieon is mentioned may be classified as follows:
1. Pigeons or doves were the only birds used for sacrifices (comp. already Genesis 15:9), in particular young pigeons (בְּנֵי הִיּוֹנָה, pulli columbini) and turtle-doves, which were sacrificed, sometimes with other offerings (Leviticus 12:6, in purifying women after childbed), sometimes alone as free-will offerings made by fire (Leviticus 1:14); or were prescribed in the purifications from leprosy (Leviticus 14:22), from personal uncleanness (Leviticus 15:14); that of Nazarites (Numbers 6:10), and of women after menstruation (Leviticus 15:29). But in two cases, where poverty interfered with more costly sacrifices, these were substituted (Leviticus 5:7 sq.; Leviticus 12:8. Comp. Luke 2:24). Such offerings of birds were also made by the poor in Egypt. (See Pausan. 10:32, 9. Comp. Engel, Cyprus, 2:184 sq.) For the purpose of providing these sacrifices, dealers in pigeons used to sit in the neighborhood of the Temple (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; John 2:14; John 2:16); and the raising of doves was from an early day a pursuit peculiar to the Jews (Isaiah 60:8. Comp. Rosenmuller, Morgenl. 6:283), although there were also many wild pigeons in Palestine (Ezekiel 7:16. Comp. Schubert, 3:250), which built their nests in clefts of the rocks (Jeremiah 48:28; Song of Solomon 2:14; Robinson, 2:433), or at least sought a refuge there when chased (Psalms 11:1. Comp. Iliad, 21:493 sq.; Quint. Smyrn. 12:12 sq.). See Schwebel, De columbarum cultu (Onold. 1767); Wernsdorf, De columb. sacra Syrorum (Helmst. 1761).
2. The flight of the pigeon was employed by the poet as a figure for swiftness (Psalms 55:7; Hosea 11:11. Comp. Soph. (Ed. Col. 1081; Eurip. Bacch. 1090; Robinson, 2:484), and is so understood by many interpreters in several passages of the New Testament (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 1:32) in which the Holy Spirit's descent is spoken of, but this may be doubted. The figure is carried out still further by Isaiah (Isaiah 60:8), and it is true that the pigeon surpasses in swiftness and directness of flight many birds of its size, without, however, being remarkable in this respect (Virg. in. 5:213 sq.; Plin. 10:52). The cause of this may be found in its long wings (Rechstein, Naturgesch. 4:2), by means of which it often escapes the birds which would prey upon it (Plin. 10:52; Phedr. 1:323; AElian, Animeal. 3:45). In songs of love, the eyes of the beloved, as expressive of attachment and of innocence, are compared with those of the dove, or, as some say, with little doves (Song of Solomon 1:15; Song of Solomon 4:1). And in Song of Solomon 5:12 it is said, "His eyes are like doves over brooks of water, bathed in milk, resting infulness;" a very beautiful description of the swimming apple of the eye. (The explanation of these words by Umbreit and Dipke is in better taste than that of Rosenmuller.) The voice of the dove is represented by the poets as a sigh, an expression of sorrow (הגת, Isaiah 28:14; Isaiah 59:11; Nahum 2:8. Comp. Ezekiel 7:16; Theocr. 7:141; Virg. Eclog. 1:59; Martial, 3:59, 19; and quotations from the Oriental poets in Jones, Poes Asiat. page 346 sq.; Gesen. Comment. on Isaiah 1:992). To the white and glimmering plumage reference is made in Psalms 68:14; on which we remark that, according to Hasselquist (Travels, page 553), the pigeons of Palestine have usually whitish-gray feathers on the neck, head, breast, and shoulders. In the comparison used by Jesus (Matthew 10:16), the dove is the image of innocence. (Comp. Schottgen and Wetstein, ad loc.)
3. Psalms 55:7 was understood by the Hebrew interpreters as affording a trace of the use of carrier-pigeons among the ancient Jews; their use being common now in the East. (See Arvieux, Nachr. 5:422; Troilo, Trav. page 610 sq.; Russell, N.H. of Aleppo, 2:90; and especially Bochart, Hieroz. 2:542; J. De Sacy, La Colombe messagere, from the Arabic of Michael Sabbagh [Par. 1805]; and on the use of them in ancient times, especially in sieges, see AElian, V.H. 9:2; Plino 10:53; Front. Strateg. 3:13, 8.) But the words of this passage contain no such reference. Some would also refer to the same birds the words in Psalms 56:1 (Lengerke, Ken. page 166), but without reason. (See Gesen. Thes. 1:104.) (See DOVE); (See TURTLE- DOVE)
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Pigeon'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/p/pigeon.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
