Easton's Bible Dictionary 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). Noah Webster's Dictionary 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.

Multi-Version Concordance Turtle (5 Occurrences) Luke 2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Leviticus 1:14 "'If his offering to Yahweh is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall offer his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Psalms 74:19 O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. (Root in KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS) Song of Songs 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Jeremiah 8:7 Yes, the stork in the sky knows her appointed times; and the turtledove and the swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people don't know Yahweh's law. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)