Reference: Turtle, Turtle Dove
Morish
Where the word 'turtle' occurs in the A.V. the 'turtle-dove' is always to be understood. They are of the family of pigeons, and are plentiful in Palestine, of which there are several species. They could easily be procured by the poorest for the offerings, and a pair of them was brought when the Lord was presented in the temple. Ge 15:9; Le 1:14; 5:7,11; 12:6,8; Nu 6:10; Ps 74:19; Jer 8:7; Lu 2:24. They are the harbinger of spring and when they return from their migration are a symbol of fruitfulness. Cant. 2:12. The Turtur risorius is a dove found in Palestine. See DOVE.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
"If his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or pigeons.
"But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the LORD as his compensation for the sin that he has committed two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
"But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for the sin that he has committed a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it and shall put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.
"'And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering,
And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons,one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.'"
On the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two pigeons to the priest to the entrance of the tent of meeting,
Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever.
Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the LORD.
and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."