And God said, "Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind." (Genesis 1:20)
THE DOVE
Dove/Turtledove The term "dove" is applied rather loosely to many of the smaller species of pigeon. The first mention of the dove in the Bible occurs in Genesis 8:8-12. Noah released a dove from the ark to determine if the flood waters had subsided from the earth.
The moaning of the dove sometimes functions metaphorically (Isaiah 38:14; Isaiah 59:11; Ezekiel 7:16). Psalms 55:6 denotes the dove's powers of flight; Jeremiah 48:28 describes its nesting habits; Psalms 68:13 indicates its rich colors. Because of the gentleness of the dove and because of its faithfulness to its mate, this bird is used as a descriptive title of one's beloved in the Song of Solomon (Song of Solomon 2:14; Song of Solomon 5:2; Song of Solomon 6:9). In Matthew 10:16 the dove symbolizes innocence.
"Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; but the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put forth his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth a freshly plucked Olive Leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days, and sent forth the dove; and she did not return to him any more." (Genesis 8:8-12)
In Leviticus we find doves classified as clean according to the dietary laws given by God to Moses (see Clean and Unclean), and were thereby acceptable for sacrifice (Genesis 15:9, Leviticus 5:7 and 12:6-8, Luke 2:22-24).
In the psalms, King David cried unto God in his distress, "O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest." (Psalm 55:6)
The the scriptures, the dove symbolizes The Holy Spirit. "And when Jesus was baptized [see John The Baptist and Baptism], He went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)
In sending The Twelve Apostles out into the world to preach The Gospel, The Lord used doves in an analogy that they were to be both very good and very careful - "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and gentle as doves." (Matthew 10:16)
"Upon Messiah entering the city of Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee." And Jesus entered the Temple of God [see Temples] and drove out all who sold and bought in the Temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you make it a den of robbers." (Matthew 21:10-13)
EAGLES
Eagle The term “eagle” refers to several large birds of prey active in the daytime rather than at night. The Hebrew term translated “eagle” (nesher) also sometimes is translated “vulture.” The eagle, the largest flying bird of Palestine, may reach a wingspread of eight feet or more. The Palestinian eagle builds great nests of sticks on rocky crags in the mountains (Job 39:27-28; Jeremiah 49:16). As one of the most majestic birds, it occupies a prominent role in the Bible. The eagle appears in the lists of unclean birds (Leviticus 11:13; Deuteronomy 14:12). Old Testament writers noted the eagle's swift movement (Deuteronomy 28:49; 2 Samuel 1:23; Jeremiah 4:13), the sweep and power of its flight (Proverbs 23:5; Isaiah 40:31), and the eagle's concern for its young (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11).
OSTRICH
The ostrich, the largest of birds, is a swift, flightless fowl. One passage in Job (Job 39:13-18) describes some of the characteristic habits of the ostrich. The female lays her eggs in the sand. The male does most of the incubating, mainly at night. Unhatched eggs serve as food for the young. Although the parent bird leaves the nest when it senses danger, this diversionary tactic actually is a protective measure. However, such habits may have created the impression that the ostrich was indifferent to its young (Lamentations 4:3). The ostrich is listed as unclean (Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15), probably because of its eating habits.
Then God blessed them, saying: Let the birds increase and fill the earth." (Genesis 1:22)
Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life...the birds in the sky. (Genesis 1:26)
MATTHEW 10 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
SPARROWS
The sparrow belongs to the finch family. In the Old Testament the Hebrew term translated "sparrow" (tsippor) also carries the general meaning "bird." The translation "sparrow" occurs in the Revised Standard Version text in Psalms 84:3 and in Proverbs 26:2. The King James Version also translates tsippor "sparrow" in Psalms 102:7.
A sparrow is a tiny creature, yet it's value to our Heavenly Father cannot be measured. When he created it, He said: It is good! One of these small birds doesn't fall to the ground without God's knowing about it, and you are of more value than many sparrows.
God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals." (Genesis 1:28)
And I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food." And so it was. (Genesis 1:30)
He gave names to all the birds. (Genesis 2:20)
PIGEONS
Pigeon is a general term referring to any of a widely distributed subfamily of fowl (Columbinae). The term “pigeon” basically is employed when referring to the use of these birds for sacrificial offerings. In Leviticus pigeons serve as burnt offerings and as sin offerings (Leviticus 1:14; Leviticus 5:7,Leviticus 5:11). They also play a role in the rituals for purification following childbirth (Leviticus 12:6,Leviticus 12:8) and for the cleansing of a healed leper (Leviticus 14:22,Leviticus 14:30). Along with turtledoves, pigeons are the least expensive animal offerings. Mary offered a pigeon and two turtledoves after Jesus' birth (Luke 2:24).
And the LORD said, "I will completely wipe out this human race that I have created. Yes, and I will destroy all the birds, too. I am sorry I ever made them." (Genesis 6:7)
With them in the boat were pairs of every kind...along with birds and flying insects of every kind. (Genesis 7:14)
Every living thing on the earth was wiped out--people, animals both large and small, and birds. They were all destroyed, and only Noah was left alive, along with those who were with him in the boat. (Genesis 7:23)
> Release all the animals and birds so they can breed and reproduce in great numbers." (Genesis 8:17)
And all the various kinds of birds came out, pair by pair. (Genesis 8:19)
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and sacrificed on it the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose. (Genesis 8:20)
All the birds will be afraid of you. I have placed them in your power. (Genesis 9:2)
And with the animals you brought with you--all these birds. (Genesis 9:10)
QUAIL
Quail are ground-dwelling birds that were known to migrate in vast numbers: "And there went forth a wind from The Lord, and it brought quails from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp, about a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the face of the earth. And the people rose all that day, and all night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails; he who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp." (Numbers 11:31-32)
