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 a heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a three year old ram, a turtle dove and a young pigeon."
"'If he will offer a burnt offering of the fowls unto the LORD, he shall offer either of the turtle doves or of the young pigeons.
But if he be not able to bring a sheep, then let him bring for his trespass which he hath sinned, two turtle doves or two young pigeons unto the LORD; one for a sin offering and another for a burnt offering.
"'And yet if he be not able to bring two turtle doves or two young pigeons, then let him bring his offering for his sin: the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering, but put none oil thereto neither put any frankincense thereon, for it is a sin offering.
And when the days of her purifying are out, whether it be a son or a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of one year old for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering unto the door of the tabernacle of witness unto the priest:
But and if she be not able to bring a sheep, then let her bring two turtles or two young pigeons: the one for the burnt offering, and the other for the sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.'"
And the eighth day he shall bring two turtles or two young pigeons to the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of witness.
O deliver not the soul of thy turtle dove unto the beasts, and forget not the congregation of the poor forever.
The Stork knoweth her appointed time; the Turtledove, the Swallow and the Crane consider the time of their travail: but my people will not know the time of the punishment of the LORD.
and to offer, as it is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons."