The Holy Spirit

Like Dove

Genesis 6 and Matthew 3

Symbolizes:

Peace Gen 8 – Noah

Rest Ps 55: 6 – David

Purity & Beauty Song of Sol 5: 2

Holy & Perfect Song of Sol 6: 9

Trusting Hosea 7: 11

Gentle Matt 10: 16

Used as sin offerings by the poor –

Leviticus 12: 6 & Luke 2: 24

Pigeons stayed in towns, lived in cages and did not

migrate.

Doves were called “wild” and migrated seasonally.

They were often used to predict Spring’s arrival – new

life. Often lived among rocks.

Song of Solomon

2: 14

“My dove in the

cleft (cracks) of

the rock, in the

hiding places in

the

mountainside,

show me your

face…”

Song of Solomon

2: 12

“Flowers appear on

the earth; the season

of singing has come,

the cooing of doves

is heard in our land.”

(Male calling for his

bride)

Mourning/Turtle Dove -

Misunderstood

 Isaiah 38: 14 …Israel moans like a

dove in trouble

 Isaiah 58: 11 “…we moan like doves;

we look for justice but it is far from

us.”

 Isaiah did not know much about

doves, he thought their cooing was

because of pain – in reality doves

are happiest when they are cooing.

Historians say Isaiah probably should

have said pigeons not doves.

Doves used as a sin offering

by the poor

Lev. 5: 7 “Anyone who

cannot afford a lamb is to

bring 2 doves or 2 young

pigeons to the Lord as a

penalty for their sin – one for a

sin offering and the other for a

burnt offering.”

Luke 2: 22-24, “Every first born

male is to be consecrated…”

Earliest Biblical mention

of the dove was in the

story of Noah & the flood

in Gen. 8 – symbol of

peace and hope.

 Both raven & dove picked

because both were loyal and

would come back to their

mates

 Raven flew around and

returned

 Dove went out – returned

 2

time went out – returned

with an olive branch to feed

his family

Jesus’ Water Baptism –

Matthew 3: 16-17

”As soon as Jesus was

baptized, he went up out

of the water. At that

moment heaven opened,

and …the Spirit of God

descended like a dove

and alighting on Him. And

a voice from heaven said,

‘This is My Son, Whom I love

with Him, I am well

pleased.’”

Why is the dove symbolic of the Holy Spirit?

He fills us with peace and hope (Noah)

He is gentle and pure (Song of Solomon)

Leads us to rest (David)

God, Himself, reveals the Holy Spirit in the likeness of a dove

to remind us that not only is He holy and just, but He is loving

and gentle, guiding us to peace, hope, and rest in Him.

Matthew 10: 16 & 17 Jesus said…

“I am sending you out like sheep among

wolves. Therefore be as shrewd/wise as

snakes and as innocent/gentle as doves.

Be on your guard…”