περιστερ-ά G4058
Dove, pigeon — the common dove or pigeon, both as sacrificial bird and as symbol of the Holy Spirit's descent
The noun peristera (περιστερά) refers to the dove or pigeon (Columba livia and related species), appearing in both literal and figurative NT contexts. Literally, doves were sold in the temple courts for sacrifice, and Jesus overturned the tables of dove-sellers during the temple cleansing (Matt 21:12; Mark 11:15; John 2:14-16). Figuratively, the Holy Spirit descended 'like a dove' upon Jesus at his baptism — an image attested in all four Gospels (Matt 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). Jesus also instructs his disciples to be 'innocent as doves' (Matt 10:16), pairing shrewdness with guilelessness. Spanish 'paloma,' Hindi 'kabutar,' Arabic 'hamama,' Korean 'bidulgi,' and Swahili 'njiwa' all designate the same bird across every context.
Senses
1. dove, pigeon — The common dove or pigeon, used both literally and figuratively. Literal uses include the sacrificial birds sold in the temple precincts (Matt 21:12; Mark 11:15; John 2:14-16) and Mary's offering of a pair of doves (Luke 2:24 par.). Figurative uses encompass the Holy Spirit's descent 'like a dove' at Jesus' baptism (Matt 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32) and the proverbial instruction to be 'innocent as doves' (Matt 10:16). Singular, plural, and genitive forms across all languages — Spanish 'paloma/palomas,' Arabic 'hamama/hamam,' Korean 'bidulgi,' Swahili 'njiwa' — confirm a single referent with no semantic split. 10×
AR["الحَمامِ", "حَمامِ", "حَمَامًا", "حَمَامٍ", "حَمَامَ", "حَمَامَةٍ", "حَمَامِ"]·ben["কপোতেরা", "ঘুঘু", "ঘুঘুর,", "পায়রা", "পায়রার"]·DE["Taube"]·EN["a-dove", "dove", "doves", "of-pigeons"]·FR["colombe"]·heb["יוֹנִים", "יוֹנָה"]·HI["कबूतर", "कबूतर,", "कबूतर-की-तरह", "कबूतरें", "कबूतरों-के"]·ID["anak", "burung-merpati", "merpati", "merpati,"]·IT["colomba"]·jav["dara", "dara,", "dara.", "manuk-dara", "manuk-dara,"]·KO["비둘기", "비둘기-처럼", "비둘기들", "비둘기들-을", "비둘기들-의", "비둘기들을"]·PT["de-pombas", "pomba", "pombas", "pombas,", "pombas."]·RU["голубей", "голубей.", "голуби", "голубиных", "голубь", "голубя"]·ES["de-palomas", "paloma", "palomas"]·SW["na", "njiwa", "njiwa.", "ya-njiwa"]·TR["güvercin", "güvercinler", "güvercinleri", "güvercinlerin"]·urd["کبوتر", "کبوتر،", "کبوتروں", "کبوتروں-کے"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
περιστερ-ά, ἡ, common pigeon or dove, Refs 5th c.BC+; specifically, Columba livia domestica, and so distinguished from φάψ, φάττα, οἰνάς, τρυγών, Refs 4th c.BC+: περιστερός, ὁ, cock-pigeon, Refs 5th c.BC+ (of a carrier-pigeon), Refs 2nd c.AD+