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The Sign of the Dove is a prominent symbol in Christianity and Judaism.
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The Sign of the Dove is a prominent symbol in Christianity and Judaism.
In Christian thought, the dove is commonly understood to be a symbol of the Holy Spirit, most notably associated with the baptism of Jesus. This association is rooted in the canonical Gospel accounts of the baptism, where the spirit is described as descending "like a dove". [1] [2] [3] [4]
The name Jonah, from the Hebrew Yôwnâh (יוֹנָה), means dove. [5] The "sign of Jonas" in the Gospel of Matthew [6] is related to the "sign of the dove". [7]
Augustine of Hippo discussed the dove as a symbol in his writings. In De Trinitate , he stated that the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove at Jesus's baptism not because the Spirit has a physical form, but to provide a visible sign understandable to humans. [8] In his Tractates on the Gospel of John, Augustine noted that the dove's gentleness reflected qualities associated with the Holy Spirit. [9] He also used the dove to represent the unity of the church, writing, "The Holy Spirit, who dwells in the saints... has fused them into one dove, whose wings are covered with silver." [10]
In the theology of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]}, the sign of the dove is considered a divine witness instituted before the world's creation, and that the devil cannot assume the dove's sign. [11] This symbol is referenced multiple times in LDS scripture and teachings. [12] [13] [14]
Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, said the Holy Ghost is a distinct personage and does not literally become a dove. [15]
In Judaism, the dove (Hebrew: יוֹנָה, yônāh) appears in both biblical texts and rabbinic literature, where it is associated with peace, purity, and divine favour. In the Hebrew Bible, the most notable appearance occurs in the account of Noah, where a dove returns to the ark after the flood with a freshly plucked olive leaf, signifying the abatement of the floodwaters and God's renewed mercy toward the earth. [16]
According to the Bible, doves, or pigeons, were also used in ancient Israel as a religious sacrifice within the tabernacle and temples. [17] [18]
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.
But the Holy Spirit who dwells in the saints, in those, namely, whom the glowing flame of love has fused together into the one Dove whose wings are covered with silver, accomplishes His work even by the ministry of bond-servants, of persons who are sometimes not only ignorant through simplicity, but even culpably unworthy to be employed by Him.
The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove.
[T]he sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John who had baptized Jesus to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence.
If the offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, you are to offer a dove or a young pigeon.