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
And he said unto him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a female goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle dove, and a young pigeon.
And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.
And if he is not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he has committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
But if he is not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.
And when the days of her purification are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of meeting, unto the priest:
And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting:
O deliver not the soul of your turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of your poor forever.
Yea, the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times; and the turtledove and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the law of the LORD.
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.